“Crusaders” , in some translations “The Sword-Bearers” ( Polish. Krzyżacy , kšyžacy) is a historical novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz . First published in the journal Tygodnik Ilustrowany in 1897–1900 . In the form of a separate book, it was first published by the publishing house "Vestnik of Foreign Literature" in 1897 (allowed by censorship on February 16, 1989). The time of action covers a decade between 1399 (the year of the death of Queen Hadwigi ) and 1410 (the Battle of Grunwald ).
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At the time of publication, the novel was a protest against Germanization carried out by the Prussian authorities. Senkevich wrote "Crusaders" to strengthen the hearts ( Polish. Ku pokrzepieniu serc ) of the Poles. He wanted his book to show Poland at the time of its rise and power.
The historical background for the Crusaders is the period of conflict between Jagiellonian Poland and the Teutonic Order . While writing the novel, the author used the Chronicle of Janka from Charnkov ( Polish. Kroniki Janka z Czarnkowa ), the History of Jan Długosh ( Polish. Historii Jana Długosza ), works by historians such as Smolka ( Polish Smolka ) and Shajnoja ( Polish Szajnocha ), German and French historical works, maps, etc.
The main characters of the novel are the Polish knight Matsko and his nephew Zbyshko from Bogdanc. The tragic love of Zbyshka and noble Danusi is the melodramatic line of the book, and the struggle with the treacherous Teutons was supposed to lift the spirit of the Poles who were in captivity.
The climax of the novel is the victorious battle of Grünwald, presented as the Polish-Lithuanian triumph. Senkevich reproduced the course of the battle according to Jan Dlugosh and under the influence of the canvas of Jan Mateka .
In 1900, the book edition of the novel crowned the 20th anniversary of the writer's work.
The novel "The Crusaders" in connection with the anti-German sentiment in Poland became the first book published in the country at the end of the Second World War; the novel was published in August 1945 [1] .
The book is translated into 25 languages.
Content
Heroes
Main
- Zbyshko from Bogdanca ( Polish. Zbyszko z Bogdańca );
- Matsko from Bogdanca ( Polish: Maćko z Bogdańca );
- Yagenka from Zgorzelica ( Polish Jagienka ze Zgorzelic );
- Danusia Jurandovna ( Polish: Danusia Jurandówna );
- Jurand from Spychowa ( Polish Jurand ze Spychowa ).
Selected historical figures in the story
- Princess Anna Danuta ( Polish. Anna Danuta );
- Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen ( Polish: Ulrich von Jungingen );
- King Wladyslaw II Jagiello ( Polish. Władysław II Jagiełło );
- Queen Jadwiga of Anjou ( Polish Jadwiga Andegaweńska );
- Zavisha Black ( Polish. Zawisza Czarny z Garbowa );
- Pawala from Tacheva ( Polish: Mikołaj Powała z Taczewa );
- Prince Zemovit IV ( Polish: Siemowit IV );
- Grand Duke Vitovt ( Polish Witold Kiejstutowicz );
- Sandwiches from Mashkovits ( Polish: Zyndram z Maszkowic );
- Grand Master Konrad von Jungingen ( Polish: Konrad von Jungingen );
- Marcin from Wročimowice ( Polish. Marcin z Wrocimowic );
Remaining
- Anula Shechehuvna ( Polish Anula Sieciechówna ).
- Chtan from Rogov ( Polish. Cztan z Rogowa ) - sought to please (as well as Wilk from Brzozowa) Yagenke from Zgorzelits, daughter of Zykh; fought for her with Zbyshkom from Bogdantsa in the farm in Ksheshni; later fought at the Battle of Grunwald.
- Wilk from Brzozowa ( Polish. Wilk z Brzozowej ) - sought to please (as did Chtan from Rogov) Iagenka; fought for her with Zbyshko from Bogdantsa in the farm in Ksheshni.
- Fulko de Lorsch ( Polish. Fulko de Lorche ) is a knight from Lorraine . Guest of the Teutonic Order , a relative of the princes of Brabant . He was friends with Zbyshka from Bogdanz, who saved him from the tour . He married Yagenka from Dlugolyas. In the Battle of Grunwald fought on the Polish-Lithuanian side. In the film, his role was played by Leon Nemczyk.
- Head ( Polish. Hlawa ).
- Rothger ( Polish. Rotgier ) - a monk of the Teutonic Order; Siegfried de Loewe's favorite, who loved him like his son; together with Gotfrytem and Denvelddem started a conspiracy to kidnap Danusi Uranduvna. He called Zbyshka from Bogdantsa to the “Divine Judgment”, that is, a fight to the death or life, in which he was defeated.
- Sanderus ( Polish Sanderus ).
- Tolima ( Polish Tolima ) - one of the retinue of Euranda of Spihov.
- Zykh from Zgorzelits ( Polish Zych ze Zgorzelic ) - the father of Yagenka, the husband of the deceased Malgoghny, the neighbor Matka and Zbyshka. He was engaged in wars, rarely visited Zgorzelica, leaving his daughter under the care of his godfather, Abbot Yasch of Tulce. I wanted Yagenka to marry Zbyshka from Bogdanc. He owned a large estate of Mochidola, which he inherited from Yagenka, and Zgorzele, intended for her younger brothers. He was killed by the German knights from Silesia during the attack on the court of the Prince of Auschwitz , with whom he was visiting.
- Siegfried de Loewe ( Polish Zygfryd de Löwe ).
- Kuno von Lichtenstein ( Polish Kuno von Lichtenstein ).
- Skirvoillo ( Polish. Skirwoiłło ) - warlord of Samogitians .
Screen adaptation
In 1960, on the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald, directed by Alexander Ford , an adventure film called “The Crusaders ” was shot based on the novel.
In 1971, a children's film “Pierscien ksieznej Anny” (“ Ring of Princess Anne ”), directed by Maria Kanevska (Maria Kaniewska) was released on screens, telling about the fantastic adventures of three boys who are passionate about the Crusaders Senkevich novel, who during the summer holidays decided to explore ruins of an old castle.
In the novel's plot in 2002, the Knights of the Cross computer game was released in the real-time strategy genre with elements of a role-playing game from Freemind Software .
Notes
- Iew Markiewicz H. Henryk Sienkiewicz // Polski Słownik Biograficzny. - 1996-1997. - T. 37 . - p . 214 .