- In 1454, the Prussian Confederation asked for protection from the king of Poland, which is granted. The King of Poland became Prince of Prussia, the two states becoming a personal union under his crown. This state of affairs would continue until 1466 when Prussia was granted its own independent duke and the confederation became the Duchy of Prussia.
EEEE?? in 1466 Prussia was directly incorporatedinto Poland. It never received it's own duke. It was ruled initialy by king's governors, IIRC, and i don't know if Polish institutions were immedetiely introduced.
Prussian confederacy was initiated by cities _AND_ knighthood.
To
szopen
JHK added things to this.
- Prussia always resisted incorporation , but it was tried several times .
But Prussia was incorporated, it is directly stated in Treaty of Torun. It was governed by kings governor. It had parts in Polish senate and Polish Sejm.
- 1453-1466 was " War of the cities". 1466 Treaty of Thorn, was denied by pope and emperor.
Habsburg Teutonic Grandmaster continued as head over Prussia. Emperor Maximilian II was elected as king of Poland also, but died and Sigismund III Vasa of Sweden,duke of Lithuania, Prussia, also became king of Poland.
1453-1466 was 13-years war, when both Prussian cities and gentry asked Polish king for help. And yes, if not their help and determination Teutons could win few days, since many times Polish advisoprs recomended peace, but Prussian knights and burgers wanted to continue fight.
In fact without Prussian knighthood Prussian Confederacy would be impossible, and one of Kinights, Bazynski (von Baysen?) was choosed first governor.
Majority choosed Stefan Batory since noblemen shouted ,,az do gardel naszych nie chcemy Niemca" (we don't want Germans).
Maximilian was defeated. Sigismnud Vasa was elected because most of gentry considered him relative of Jagiellons.
- Emperor Maximilian II's son Maximilian III, Austria, Teutonic Knights Grand Master, was elected king of Poland also.
see outside link:
http://www.uni-mannheim.de/mateo/desbillons/eico/seite45.html
He was elected with breaking of rukles of election, by total minority, and his resigned his claims after he was defeated.
- Prussia never had any Polish institutions. Language was Hanseatic League Low German Platt, later High German.
Not really. However, as i say, i must consult my books on topic like when or if they had institutions like starosta, sad ziemski, sejmik krajowy etc. I will search for some data tomorrow.
- Hanseatic League cities had German language independend city council government under city majors.
- Krakow in 1504 had German city council. Many cities in Poland , Ukraine etc were founded with Magdeburg city charter rights.
Usually relocated in Magdeburg law, since they existed long before. BTW, some of first Polish books (very patriotis in their tone) were in fact published by Poles of German origin.
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