Siege of Lubusz

The siege of Lubusz was a siege part of the German–Polish War that took place from 19 to 20 August 1012.^[2] It involved the Duchy of Poland led by Bolesław I the Brave against the Holy Roman Empire led by Henry II. It resulted in a Polish victory.

Siege of Lubusz
Part of Polish–German Wars (1003–1018)
Date 19–20 August 1012 Location Lubusz, modern-day Brandenburg, Germany Result Polish victory
Belligerents
Duchy of Poland	Holy Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Bolesław I	Henry II
Strength
1,000[1]
Casualties and losses
500 (heavily exaggerated)[1]

Battle

The Germans stood on the other side of the Elbe, which had flooded from the west, making them unable to come to the aid of the besieged. Bolesław the Brave then conquered the city.^[1]

The town had a crew of up to 1,000 people. 500 Poles (according to Bishop Thietmar's chronicle, heavily exaggerated)^{[3][note 1]} died as a result of the siege, but many Germans died and the three crew commanders were captured.^[1]

Aftermath

A picture of Lubusz (now known as Lebus) on the Oder river

There was a planned expedition against Germany that same year, although it never happened.^[4]

A year later, the German–Polish War (pl) ended. Peace was concluded at Merseburg (pl). Poland gained Lusatia and Milsko, after which Bolesław paid tribute to the king from the acquired lands. Both sides agreed to provide each other with armed assistance. Mieszko II, son of Bolesław the Brave, married Richeza, niece of King Henry II.^[1]

See also

• List of wars involving Poland
• List of wars involving Germany
• History of Poland during the Piast dynasty
• Polish-German Wars

Notes

1. Thietmar heavily disliked the Poles and their leaders (as seen in the reference right before this), therefore he decided to exaggerate Polish casualties.