The Two Swords - The Battle of Grunwald, Polish Legend

In the northern part of Poland, there is a small village called Grunwald. Outside it, in the green fields stands Monument of Grunwald Victory commemorating the most important victory in the history of Poland. Poland fought a battle with Teutonic Knights, which put the end to the rule of the Knights over Polish lands.

It all started in good faith. The Teutonic Knights’ purpose was to convert people to Christianity. In the 13^th century, they built a massive red brick castle in Malbork, helping them to strengthen their control over the surrounding area. But it simply wasn’t enough. They wanted to control more, throwing their weight about Polish lands and tormenting people.

The voices of poor folks were deep in sorrow. They echoed throughout the villages. Polish King Jagiello felt the sufferings of his people as his own. With determination, he picked a date of July 15^th, 1410 to face the Teutonic Knights at the field of Grunwald and end the pain of his people.

Standing in the open field, both armies were facing each other. The summer was hot with sunrays reflecting in the shiny armor of the Knights. The colorful flags fluttered by delicate breeze. The heat and the heavy armor were making the Knights anxious to start the battle. Over the nearby forest, frightened birds made circles as feeling that something was about to happen.

King Jagiello was eagerly praying, taking his time. On the other side of the field, the Knights’ leader, Ulrych, was getting inpatient.

He called for an envoy demanding, “Take two swords to King Jagiello. So he has something to fight with,” standing nearby Teutonic Knights burst out laughing.

Trotting slowly towards the King Jagiello, the Knights stopped facing the King. With raised two swords high above their heads, they swiftly plunged them into the ground. “We were sent to deliver these two swords in case you were missing your own arms.”

The King noticed contemptuous smile on the Knights’ faces. Unmoved, he thanked them. “No, we do not miss arms.”

As soon as they left, Gniewko soon to be a knight approached the King. “Please, my King, allow me to use one of the swords and take part in the battle.

Gniewko was Jagiello’s favorite squire. He knew the boy’s family, who died from the hands of Teutonic Knights. The boy was like his own son and he felt the need to protect him. “Not this time. Soon you will be a knight and ready to help me in the next fight.”

The boy loved the king dearly, who watched over him for many years, hiring the best tutors to teach him knightly skills. Gniewko felt in his heart that this was the right time and keenly wanted to show his gratefulness, insisting, “Please King, allow me. I know I am ready.”

With the love in his eyes and clam but determine voice Jagiello said, “I have fought many battles and I want you to trust me that this is not the right first battle for you. What I want you to do instead is watch over those two swords until I come back from the battle.”

Tilting his head in obedience, the boy stood proudly by two swords, while the king moved to the battle field.

The rumble of the armor aroused announcing the start of the battle. It was long and straining, the winning kept switching from one side to another. The heat and fatigue were weighing heavily on both sides. Many were wounded and many had to return to the camp for their wounds to be tended.

Many Polish Knights either died or were wounded. The lack of them on the field had to be filled with peasantry eager to help to get rid from the oppression they received from the Teutonic Knights.

With heavy batons and axes in their hands, they fought willingly for every inch of Polish land that was taken away from them. They didn’t worry about their own lives. They wanted freedom for their families.

As the bottle continued, one young Teutonic Knight who was wounded dragged his feet towards the two swords. “I have to reclaim the swords,” he kept repeating as he just recently witnessed the death of his leader Ulrych.

He didn’t know that the swords were under watchful eyes of Gniewko, who seeing the approaching Knight from the enemy’s side moved quickly by attacking the Knight. The fight was quick. The already wounded Knight lay motionless on the ground. Wounded Gniewko with the remaining strength was still protecting the swords. He already lost the conscious, when the battle reached its end.

The victorious King Jagiello rushed to the boy to give him the good news. The air was thick with the dust. The sun was setting down giving the tired men a break after ferocious battle filled with heat and dust.

While approaching the camp with a clearer view in front of him, he saw the boy motionless on the ground. Jagiello bent down on his knees with the boys in his arms, tears ran down his face.

Suddenly, where the ends of the swords cut the ground, a small stream came out meandering towards the boy. The King quickly pulled the cover from his short knife and filled with the water. With pain, the boy swallowed a few drops of water.

To the surprise of Jagiello and Gniewko, the boy’s wounds disappeared and he raised his own body without any help. The King called for medics, “Fetch the water for wounded soldiers and peasants.”

Before the medics arrived with vessels, the stream disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Gniewko looked for any traces of the water, but it was hopeless. The stream was gone. Many looked for it afterwards, digging deep into the ground. But the only trace that was left was the uneven ground without green grass.

The Knights and Gniewko with the King returned to Wawel in Krakow, where they celebrated the victory. Gniewko was knighted and received a sword from the King.

Later, he took part in many battles serving King Jagiello.

Malbork Castle