The Teutonic Knights: A Historical NovelThe Teutonic Knights is an epic of medieval times and national destiny, ranking as one of the highest achievements from the pen of Henryk Sienkiewicz, the Nobel Prize winner for Literature in 1905. The novel follows the adventures of Macko, a resourceful and wise veteran of war, and his young nephew, Zbyszko, the symbol of a maturing nation, as they struggle, along with the unified peoples of Poland and Lithuania, against the oppressive religious military order, the Teutonic Knights. Among the many memorable characters are Jurand, a merciless, bitter fighter consumed with revenge; his daughter, the innocent Danusia, a girl of twelve who must face the barbarity of the German knighthood; the strong-willed Jagienka, equally adept at shooting a crossbow or administering an estate; Hlawa, a Czech squire of noble birth who is as quick with his wit as he is with his axe; Sanderus, a peddler of religious relics and indulgences whose earthly cravings seem greater than any spiritual needs. A host of other memorable characters fills the canvas set against lush, almost magical forests, dangerous marshes replete with tales of human heads walking on spider legs, winter blizzards that blanket the world in a white wonderland - all at once beautiful and foreboding. Splendid castles are described here, court hunts, single combats that test valor and strength. The customs of knights with their code of honor and feelings of love are adroitly explored. The entirety culminates in one of the most important battles in medieval history, the Battle of Grunwald. The Teutonic Knights was published in America in 1900 in various competing translations of erratic quality. Not until 1943 did a translation worthy of this masterpiece appear, but unfortunately its release was limited to Great Britain. |
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Page 405
... old knight considered further whether it would not be better in the meantime to send Danusia to some more distant castle , which could not in any case be taken by an attack of the Mazurians . But after a moment's consideration he ...
... old knight considered further whether it would not be better in the meantime to send Danusia to some more distant castle , which could not in any case be taken by an attack of the Mazurians . But after a moment's consideration he ...
Page 653
... old and I have no - one to whom to leave my property ; but only of justice . If a man shows me goodwill , I will yield him even what is mine . May God bless your nephew , that in your old age you may not have to weep for him as I have ...
... old and I have no - one to whom to leave my property ; but only of justice . If a man shows me goodwill , I will yield him even what is mine . May God bless your nephew , that in your old age you may not have to weep for him as I have ...
Page 671
... old age , and then to administer the estate and increase it for his " grandchildren " had been his dearest desire at all times , and now it was all being splendidly fulfilled . The work of the estate went on most satisfactorily . Large ...
... old age , and then to administer the estate and increase it for his " grandchildren " had been his dearest desire at all times , and now it was all being splendidly fulfilled . The work of the estate went on most satisfactorily . Large ...
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Common terms and phrases
abbot afraid already answered armour arms asked aurochs battle began Bergow blood Bogdaniec brother captive castellan castle Ciechanów commander court Cracow crossbow Crutched Knights Czech Cztan Danusia Danuśka Danveld death Drezdenko duchess Duke Witold envoy exclaimed eyes face Father Caleb Father Wyszoniek fear fell fight forest Germans girl give grand master hand happened head heard heart Hlawa honour horses Jagienka Jaśko Jesus Jurand Jurand's daughter king knew knightly Łęczyca Lichtenstein Lithuanian looked lord Maćko Malbork Maszkowice Mazovia Mazurians Meanwhile no-one old knight Oleśnica once Order Płock Polish replied Zbyszko ride rode Roger Samogitians Sanderus shouted Siegfried Sieradz Sieur de Lorche silence Spychów squire suddenly sword Szczytno talk tears tell terrible Teutonic Knights Teutonic Order thought told Tolima took turned Tyniec vengeance voice wanted whole Wolf words young knight Zawisza Zgorzelice Zych Zyndram Zyndram of Maszkowice