The Knights of the Cross

The Knights of the Cross

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

 “The Knights of the Cross,” written by Henryk Sienkiewicz, is a historical fiction novel. The book focuses on the key events of one of the greatest conflicts of medieval Europe: The Battle of Grunwald between the Polish King and the Teutonic Order of Knights (The Holy German Order, which was asked by Christian Poland to help it fight against Pagan Lithuania). Henryk Sienkiewicz was a 19^th century noble prize winner. He lived in the times of the partitions of Poland between the Russian, German and Austrian empires. It was written to strengthen the Polish patriotism as well as the determination and hope for regaining independence. The book that I have read is the 41^st edition published in Warsaw, Poland in 1988.  The reading was fascinating for me; it was characterized by well-built suspense, cunningly planned intrigues, as well as richly described close combat battles. This literally piece of art was translated into many languages including English.

The book is set in medieval Poland, which back then is a powerful European country both politically and militarily. It is a time of greatness after a Lithuanian Grand Prince Wladyslaw Jagiello has become the King of Poland by marrying Jadwiga - the Polish Queen. He agreed for the baptizing of Lithuania, changing it from Poland’s fiercest enemy to its greatest ally.

 The book tells the story of two Polish knights: Zbyszko and his uncle, Macko. Both returning home from a war with Germany in Lithuania, on their way home, they meet a court of an aristocrat Lady from one of the Polish counties - Mazovia. Zbyszko falls in love with one of the ladies in waiting called Danuta, and proposes to her. The lady agrees. Danuta, appears to be a daughter of a famous Mazovian knight called Jurand, who is also known as the Vanquisher of the Germans. The knight is well known for his hatred of the nation after they killed his wife. Zbyszko, moved by the story, promises Danuta “three German helmets” and decides to travel with the court to the Polish Capital -Krakow. He notices a Teutonic knight on his way to the city. Zbyszko charges at the knight as he had promised his beloved Danuta. It then turnes out that the knight was a diplomat sent to Krakow to meet the King. Unfortunately, the penalty of assaulting a diplomat is death. While Zbyszko is awaiting his execution in the Krakow keep he is unaware that the Teutonic order will soon attempt to kidnap Danuta in order to capture her famous father Jurand. Will the story be finished by an executioner’s axe, will the Teutonic order manage to kidnap Danuta and capture Jurand? The book is definitely worth reading to find it all out.

Sienkiewicz’s work is based on true historical facts. The main characters’ adventures are a fiction, which mysterious plot, suspense as well as complicated intrigues seem to be timeless; it could happen at any time and place. “The Knights of the Cross” was a nice holiday break from the fast paced modern action or fantasy novels, which are my common reading.