Royal House: Jungingen
Predecessor: Konrad von Jungingen
Reign: 1407 — 1410
Summary: Born to a Swabian noble house, Ulrich and his brother, Konrad, joined the Teutonic Knights and moved to Prussia in the 1480s. Konrad was elected Grand Master in 1393 and Ulrich benefited greatly from that promotion. In 1396, he became the komtur (commander) of Balga where he remained for eight years. Ulrich was instrumental in the treaty to obtain Gotland Island from Denmark in 1398. He also was a diplomat for the Order assigned to the Polish-Lithuanian Treaty of Salynas which brought the Duchy of Samogitia to the Order. Konrad made his brother the military leader of the Teutonic Knights in 1404 and assigned him a larger komtur at Königsberg. During his three years there, he suppressed multiple uprisings by the native Samogitian people and he retained his control via bribes to local officials and direct violent oppression. When Konrad died suddenly in 1407, Ulrich was nominated as his successor.
Despite his vast experience, Ulrich failed to resolve the Samogitia problem well. At the same time, new problems had arisen with Poland over disputed lands and the Poles were willing to attack Prussia without a moment's notice. Ulrich, knowing that a war was imminent, forged a quick alliance with Hungary, bought mercenaries from Germany, and declared war on Poland in the summer of 1409. This was the start of the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War. It began well for the Order, with Ulrich's forces laying successful sieges against Dobrzyn and Kuyavia, but Ulrich's allies were indifferent. At the Battle of Grunwald, the two armies met and stared across the battlefield. Ulrich, in an attempt to antagonize the Polish king, sent over two swords with a death threat. The Lithuanians attacked and the Poles followed behind. Ulrich, certain of his victory, led the charge of his rearguard and almost captured the Polish king. Unfortunately, his attack had left vulnerable and he did not realize that most of the Order's army had regrouped behind him. His unit was surrounded and he was killed in action. The Polish king allowed the body of the Grand Master to be returned to the Order before laying siege to Marienburg a few days later. He was succeeded by Heinrich von Plauen, a Teutonic Knight made famous for saving Castle Marienburg.
Reign: 1407 — 1410
Summary: Born to a Swabian noble house, Ulrich and his brother, Konrad, joined the Teutonic Knights and moved to Prussia in the 1480s. Konrad was elected Grand Master in 1393 and Ulrich benefited greatly from that promotion. In 1396, he became the komtur (commander) of Balga where he remained for eight years. Ulrich was instrumental in the treaty to obtain Gotland Island from Denmark in 1398. He also was a diplomat for the Order assigned to the Polish-Lithuanian Treaty of Salynas which brought the Duchy of Samogitia to the Order. Konrad made his brother the military leader of the Teutonic Knights in 1404 and assigned him a larger komtur at Königsberg. During his three years there, he suppressed multiple uprisings by the native Samogitian people and he retained his control via bribes to local officials and direct violent oppression. When Konrad died suddenly in 1407, Ulrich was nominated as his successor.
Despite his vast experience, Ulrich failed to resolve the Samogitia problem well. At the same time, new problems had arisen with Poland over disputed lands and the Poles were willing to attack Prussia without a moment's notice. Ulrich, knowing that a war was imminent, forged a quick alliance with Hungary, bought mercenaries from Germany, and declared war on Poland in the summer of 1409. This was the start of the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War. It began well for the Order, with Ulrich's forces laying successful sieges against Dobrzyn and Kuyavia, but Ulrich's allies were indifferent. At the Battle of Grunwald, the two armies met and stared across the battlefield. Ulrich, in an attempt to antagonize the Polish king, sent over two swords with a death threat. The Lithuanians attacked and the Poles followed behind. Ulrich, certain of his victory, led the charge of his rearguard and almost captured the Polish king. Unfortunately, his attack had left vulnerable and he did not realize that most of the Order's army had regrouped behind him. His unit was surrounded and he was killed in action. The Polish king allowed the body of the Grand Master to be returned to the Order before laying siege to Marienburg a few days later. He was succeeded by Heinrich von Plauen, a Teutonic Knight made famous for saving Castle Marienburg.
Date of Death: 15 July 1410
Successor: Heinrich von Plauen
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
Successor: Heinrich von Plauen
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
- Rudolph I, king of the Romans (1291)
- Wilhelm, duke of Austria (1406)
- René, prince of Orange (1544)
- Shimazu Takahisa, daimyo in Japan (1571)
- George IV, king of the United Kingdom & Ireland (1830)
