Bitwa pod Grunwaldem
The Battle of Grunwald
One of medieval Europe's greatest battles: on 15 July 1410 the combined Polish-Lithuanian forces of Jagiełło and Vytautas crushed the Teutonic Order, the Grand Master's death turning the tide — a victory that reshaped Central Europe and became a national myth through Matejko and Sienkiewicz.
You will practice: Past passive participles (rozegrana, uzbrojonej, dowodzonej, uwiecznionym), the instrumental after okazać się/stać się (okazała się śmierć, stała się mitem), and pod + instrumental for 'under command/pretext' (pod dowództwem, pod pretekstem).
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- bitwabattle
- rozegraćto fight, to play out (a battle)
- starcieclash, encounter
- siłyforces
- dowództwocommand
- królking
- książęduke, prince
- armiaarmy
- zakon(monastic or military) order
- zagrożeniethreat
- zagarniaćto seize, to grab
- napięcietension
- śmierćdeath
- szarżacavalry charge
- klęskadefeat
- zwycięstwovictory
- potęgapower, might
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. When was the Battle of Grunwald fought?
2. Who led the combined Polish-Lithuanian forces?
3. Under what pretext did the Teutonic Order seize territory?
4. What was the turning point of the battle?
5. How was the battle later immortalized?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Polish reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.