"1410. The Known Unknown Grunwald" tells the story based on a theory by Swedish Professor Sven Ekdahl who has spent several decades researching secret archives of the Teutonic Knights.
"Every statement, every line in this documentary is scientifically proven. These are not some fantasies of the filmmakers," documentary director Aleksandras Matonis said at a press conference on Monday.
Half a century ago, Ekdahl found a letter in archives in Germany, disproving Polish historian Jan Dlugosz's theory that Lithuanians fled the battlefield of Grunwald, succumbing to the Teutonic Knights' pressure. The Swedish professor says, however, the maneuver was pre-planned.
"The letter clearly says that they discussed simulating a retreat, withdrawal. It says that, in other battles, it was very important to follow closely what other parts of the army were doing, not just the apparently withdrawing troops, as one cannot suddenly leave one's army and enemy's withdrawal might be just a simulated maneuver," Ekdahl said at the press conference.
According to him, the letter was written by a high-ranking officer, perhaps a commander of the auxiliary army, several years after the battle and is a trusted historic source.
"The contents of this letter matches very well with statements about the Battle of Grunwald in the Cronika Conflictus, and it shows that Dlugosz's claims and his version of the Battle of Grunwald, let's say, was not completely accurate. We have to acknowledge that Dlugosz was not very friendly towards Lithuania. Based on this letter of the Teutonic Knights and the Cronika Conflictus, we can reject Dlugosz's claim and re-write history," the Swedish professor said.
Ekdahl also believes that information on how the Lithuanian-Polish army was moving and the location of the battle needs to be corrected. The professor says that Poles expect to receive EU funding for archeological excavations in the battlefield, and the excavations could prove his theory.
The Battle of Grunwald is considered one of the greatest and decisive medieval battles. The joint Lithuanian-Polish army led by Grand Duke Vytautas and Polish King Jogaila (Jagiello) defeated the Teutonic Knight on 15 July 1410, halting their expansion eastwards.
