Council of Constance

==Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic conflict==
In 1411, the [[Peace of Thorn (1411)|First Peace of Thorn]] ended the [[Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War]], in which the [[Teutonic Knights]] fought the [[Poland during the Jagiellon dynasty|Kingdom of Poland]] and [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]]. However, the peace was not stable and further conflicts arose regarding demarcation of the [[Samogitia]]n borders. The tensions erupted into the brief [[Hunger War]] in summer 1414. It was concluded that the disputes would be mediated by the Council of Constance.

The Polish-Lithuanian position was defended by [[Paulus Vladimiri]], rector of the [[Jagiellonian University]], who challenged legality of the Teutonic [[Lithuanian Crusade|crusade against Lithuania]]. He argued that a forced conversion was incompatible with free will, which was an essential component of a genuine conversion.{{sfn|Christiansen|1997|p=231}} Therefore, the Knights could only wage a defensive war if pagans violated [[natural rights]] of the Christians. Vladimiri further stipulated that infidels had rights which had to be respected, and neither the Pope nor the [[Holy Roman Emperor]] had the authority to violate them. Lithuanians also brought a group of Samogitian representatives to testify to atrocities committed by the Knights.{{sfn|Christiansen|1997|p=231}}

The Dominican theologian [[John of Falkenberg]] proved to be the fiercest opponent of the Poles. In his ''Liber de doctrina'', Falkenberg argued that<blockquote>the Emperor has the right to slay even peaceful infidels simply because they are pagans.&nbsp;... The Poles deserve death for defending infidels, and should be exterminated even more than the infidels; they should be deprived of their sovereignty and reduced to slavery.{{sfn|Cassar|1997|p=}} </blockquote>In ''Satira'', he attacked Polish-Lithuanian King [[Jogaila]], calling him a "mad dog" unworthy to be king. Falkenberg was condemned and imprisoned for such libel.{{sfn|Christiansen|1997|p=231}} Other opponents included [[Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights|Grand Master's]] proctor Peter Wormditt, Dominic of San Gimignano, John Urbach, Ardecino de Porta of Novara, and [[Bishop of Ciudad Rodrigo]] [[Andrew Escobar]]. They argued that the Knights were perfectly justified in their crusade as it was a sacred duty of Christians to spread the true faith.{{sfn|Christiansen|1997|p=231}} Cardinal [[Pierre d'Ailly]] published an independent opinion that attempted to somewhat balance both Polish and Teutonic positions.{{sfn|Christiansen|1997|p=231}}

The council established the [[Diocese of Samogitia]], with its seat in [[Varniai|Medininkai]] and subordinated to Lithuanian dioceses, and appointed [[Matthias of Trakai]] as the first bishop. Pope Martin V appointed the Lithuanians [[Jogaila]] and [[Vytautas]], who were respectively King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, as [[vicars general]] in [[Pskov]] and [[Veliky Novgorod]] in recognition of their Catholicism.{{sfn|Christiansen|1997|p=231}} After another round of futile negotiations, the [[Gollub War]] broke out in 1422. It ended with the [[Treaty of Melno]]. Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic wars continued for another hundred years.