Battle of Drohiczyn (1238)
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| Battle of Drohiczyn | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Principality of Galicia-Volhynia |
 Order of Dobrzyń | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Daniel of Galicia |
Master Bruno (POW) | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| Unknown | 200 Knights | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Entire force killed or captured | ||||||||
The Battle of Drohiczyn or Battle of Dorohychyn took place between the Teutonic Knights of the Order of Dobrzyń and Prince Daniel's Galicia-Volhynia over control of the castle, on March 1238.[1][2]
The town of Drohiczyn was historically an important trade hub.[3] Konard I controlled the town before transferring it to the knights of Order of Dobrzyń in 1237. How the castle came under Konrad I's control or when is still a subject of debate.[4] Dobrzyń knights were tasked with "fighting Prussian heathens" and the growing crusader influence in the Baltics could also threaten the south-western lands of the Kievan Rus'.[5]
Battle
On March 1238, Prince Danylo was ready to recapture the castle. This castle was an important Eastern trade route and was prepared to employ trickery against the knights of the castle. In addition, Mongol troops were besiging Kozelsk which forced Danylo to take quick approach to unify his principality. Danylo managed to get the knights out of the castle where he had an advantage. The battle took place outside of the castle's walls, its course was determined by efficiency of Danylo's cavalry. As a result, all knights were either killed or captured. The Dobrzyń detachment likely didn't exceeded 200 knights, but this battle proven to be devastating to their existence.[6] Some scientists believe Dobrzyń knights didn't hold much importance and were doomed to be gone eventually.[7]