Prussian people

The Prussian people, or (old) Prussians, inhabited the area around the Curonian and Vistula Lagoons, in the region roughly occupied by the Mazurian Lakes. At the beginning of Baltic history, they were bordered by the Vistula and the Neman with a southern depth to about Torun, which was Prussian, and the line of the River Narew. The Germans were on the west, the Poles on the south, the Sudovians on the east, the Curonians on the northeast and the Lithuanians on the northwest. The Sudovians began at about Suwalki.

History

Main article: Origins of Prussia.

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The first certain mention of the Old Prussians in historical sources is in connection with Adalbert of Prague who was slain in 997 during a crusade to Christianise the Prussians. By the late 13th century, the German knights, especially the Teutonic Knights had converted them under arms to Christianity. Most of the native Prussians remaining after the bloody conquest were settled to Sambia. The Prussians organized frequent uprisings, the most famous in 1286 and the last in 1525. Before the end of 17th century, the Prussian language had become extinct. The culture of the Old Prussians was Germanicised, or Polonised, depending on the part of Prussia in which they lived. They converted either to Protestantism or to Catholicism (in Warmia).

Related Topics:
Adalbert of Prague - 997 - Crusade - Christianise - 13th century - Teutonic Knights - Sambia - 1286 - 1525 - Protestantism - Catholicism - Warmia

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