The Teutonic Knights (Polish: Krzyżacy) is a 1900 historical novel written by Polish writer and Nobel laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz. Henryk Oszyk-Sienkiewicz Henryk Adam Aleksander Pius Oszyk-Sienkiewicz (pronounce: ) (May 5, 1846 - November 15, 1916) was a Polish novelist, one of the outstanding writers of the second half of the 19th century. ... A historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, in which the time of the action predates the lifetime of the author. ... See also: 1899 in literature, other events of 1900, 1901 in literature, list of years in literature. ... A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) book is bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with cloth or heavy paper) and a stitched spine. ... Paperback may refer to a kind of book binding by which papers are simply folded without cloth or leather and bound - usually with glue rather than stitches or staples - into a thick paper cover; or to a book with this type of binding. ... A historical novel is a novel in which the story is set among historical events, or more generally, in which the time of the action predates the lifetime of the author. ... The Nobel Prizes (pronounced no-BELL or no-bell) are awarded annually to people who have done outstanding research, invented groundbreaking techniques or equipment, or made outstanding contributions to society. ... Henryk Oszyk-Sienkiewicz Henryk Adam Aleksander Pius Oszyk-Sienkiewicz (pronounce: ) (May 5, 1846 - November 15, 1916) was a Polish novelist, one of the outstanding writers of the second half of the 19th century. ...

The novel was written in a time when no Polish state existed, and Poles lived in areas controlled by the German Empire, Russian Empire and Austria-Hungary, in order to encourage Polish confidence against the Germans. The Partitions of Poland (Polish: Rozbiór Polski or Rozbiory Polski; Lithuanian: Padalijimas) took place in the 18th century and ended the existence of the sovereign Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... Motto: Gott mit Uns (German: God with us”) Anthem: Heil dir im Siegerkranz (unofficial) Territory of the German Empire in 1914, prior to World War I   Capital Berlin Official language(s) German Minor language(s) Polish (Posen, Upper Silesia, Masuria) French (Elsass-Lothringen) Government Constitutional Monarchy  - First Kaiser Wilhelm I... Official language Russian Official Religion Russian Orthodox Christianity Capital Saint Petersburg (Petrograd 1914-1925) Area Approx. ... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ...

The history of the actual German Order of the Teutonic Knights, which since the 13th century had controlled the area along the Baltic Sea coast, and its defeat in the 1410 Battle of Grunwald by Poles and Lithuanians was chosen as a background setting for the story which also describes medieval life and habits in the cities and the country. The Teutonic Knights or Teutonic Order (Ordo domus Sanctæ Mariæ Theutonicorum Ierosolimitanorum, Order of the Teutonic House of Mary in Jerusalem) is a German Roman Catholic religious order formed at the end of the 12th century in Acre in Palestine. ... Map of the Baltic Sea. ... Events July 15 – Battle of Grunwald (a. ... Combatants Kingdom of Poland Grand Duchy of Lithuania Teutonic Order Commanders Władysław II Jagiełło, Vytautas the Great Ulrich von Jungingen Strength 39,000 27,000 Casualties Unknown 8,000 dead 2,000 captured The Battle of Grunwald or Battle of Tannenberg took place on July 15, 1410... The term Polish-Lithuanian Union refers to a series of acts and alliances between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania that lead to the creation of the Republic of Both Nations in 1569 and eventually to creation of a unified state in 1791. ...

Episodes had been published in the magazine Tygodnik Illustrowany from 1897-1899 before a first complete printed editon was published in 1900. Since then it has been translated into 25 languages. It was also the first book to be printed in Poland after the Second World War ended in 1945. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

The book is one of the most famous novels by Sienkiewicz, and shows his mastery in narration that earned him the 1905 Nobel Prize in literature "because of his outstanding merits as an epic writer." Nobel Prize in Literature medal. ...

In 1960, the book was made into a movie with the same title, directed by Aleksander Ford. Aleksander Ford (born November 24, 1908; died April 4, 1980) was a Polish film director. ...

Plot summary

It describes a story of a young poor nobleman Zbyszko of Bogdaniec, who is with his uncle Macko of Bogdaniec returning from the war against the order of the Teutonic Knights, or Knights of the Cross, in Lithuania. In the tavern where they want to spend a night, he falls in love with a girl called Danuta, who is travelling with the court of the princess Anna. He promises her to bring her 3 trophies from the Teutonic Knights. During the way to Krakow, Zbyszek attacks the delegate of Germans and is supposed to be executed, but Danuta saves him, when she promises to marry him (an old Polish tradition). Then Zbyszek and Maciej return home to the country, where they rebuild their mansion (they are the last left in the house). After some time Zbyszek returns to Danuta and marries her. But she is kidnapped by four Germans, because they want to get their revenge - her father Jurand is a killer of Germans. Jurand is trapped and cripled by Germans. Zbyszko is seeking for Danuta for a very long time, but when he finds her, she is mad and she dies. Then the long time awaited war begins. Poland and Lithuania beat the army of the Order in the big and famous 1410 Battle of Grunwald. This article needs cleanup. ... Events July 15 – Battle of Grunwald (a. ... Combatants Kingdom of Poland Grand Duchy of Lithuania Teutonic Order Commanders Władysław II Jagiełło, Vytautas the Great Ulrich von Jungingen Strength 39,000 27,000 Casualties Unknown 8,000 dead 2,000 captured The Battle of Grunwald or Battle of Tannenberg took place on July 15, 1410...

Characters in "The Teutonic Knights"

• Zbyszko of Bogdaniec – a young poor nobleman, protagonist
• Macko of Bogdaniec – his uncle
• Princess Anna –
• Danuta – who travels with the princess
• Jurand – Danuta's father

Literary significance & criticism

Teutonic Knight's Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen, portraited by Stanislaw Jasiukiewicz in the 1960 film Krzyżacy (Teutonic Knights)

Due to the author's patriotic agenda, the historic accuracy of the content is often flawed. Teutonic order from the film Krzyżacy on a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz. ... Teutonic order from the film Krzyżacy on a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz. ... Ulrich von Jungingen Ulrich von Jungingen (born 1360 in Jungingen– died July 15, 1410 near Tannenberg) was the 26th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, as successor to his elder brother Konrad von Jungingen. ...

The characters are depicted similar to the color scheme of the Teutonic Knights - white and black. The Polish heros are handsome and brave, the Germans Knights arrogant and cruel.

External links

• opinions at Amazon.com
• (German) German opinions at Amazon.de
• (German) German Recension