The history of the Teutonic Knights is one of crusading in an era of wars, intrigues, assassinations and betrayals. Originally established as a hospital order during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land in the late 12th century, the order evolved into a formidable military force dedicated to defending and expanding Christianity in the Baltic region. This book explores the crusade aimed at Lithuanian pagans in the Middle Ages, when crusaders from the Holy Roman Empire, France, England and Scotland came to Prussia to fight alongside the Teutonic Knights. What ensued was a long-drawn out, many-sided struggle, with Lithuania and Poland first becoming powerful states, then expanding into Belarus and Ukraine, where the Mongols and Tatars had long held sway. The book culminates with Lithuania converting to the Roman Catholic Church and the dramatic sieges of Vilnius. Written by two leading experts on the Crusades in an enjoyable and compelling style, this is an accessible narrative of a complex political and military history. AUTHORS: William Urban is the Lee L. Morgan professor of history and international studies at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. He is considered a leading expert on the Crusades and the Teutonic Knights. His many books include Bayonets for Hire and the highly acclaimed The Teutonic Knights. Darius Baronas is a medieval historian and professor at the University of Vilnius, Faculty of History. His chief research interests lie in the study of the Christianization of Lithuania and her relations with neighbouring countries and regions.
