Editing Prussian Confederation (section)

== Establishment ==
[[File:AGAD Akt erekcyjny Związku Pruskiego.png|thumb|left|Foundation act of the Prussian Confederation from 1440]]
After about three decades of growing discontent, the burghers, nobility and landowners from the Teutonic state (see [[Prussian estates]]) organized themselves to oppose the rule of the order more effectively. The decision to establish the organization was made at a convention held in [[Elbląg]] on February 21, 1440.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=XXXI}} The convention was attended by representatives of the cities of [[Chełmno]] (''Culm''), Elbląg (''Elbing''), [[Toruń]] (''Thorn''), [[Gdańsk]] (''Danzig''), [[Braniewo]] (''Braunsberg''), [[Kaliningrad|Królewiec]] (''Königsberg''), and [[Knipawa]] (''Kneiphof'') as well as nobles from various areas.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=XXXI}} On 14 March 1440, a group of 53 nobles and clergy and 19 cities, under the leadership of the [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] cities of [[Danzig]] (Gdańsk), [[Elbing]] (Elbląg), Thorn ([[Toruń]]) and [[Königsberg]] (Królewiec), founded the Prussian Confederation in [[Marienwerder]] (Kwidzyn). More towns joined later on (see ''Participating towns'' below). In Danzig, the new members signed a document<ref name="Leba"/> which was kept in the archives of Thorn. The official representatives of the Confederation were the city councils of Chełmno and Toruń, and the knights of Chełmno Land.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=XLI}}

[[File:Torun zamek Dybow brama.jpg|thumb|[[Dybów Castle]], place of talks between King [[Casimir IV Jagiellon]] and the burghers of the Confederation from 1452]]
After Grand Master [[Paul von Rusdorf]] died in 1441, his successor, [[Konrad von Erlichshausen]], continued to negotiate a compromise until his own death in 1449. The confederation lobbied for support against the Teutonic Order within the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. [[Ludwig von Erlichshausen]], Grand Master from 1450 to 1467, took a more aggressive stance towards the confederation. He filed a lawsuit at the court of Emperor [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]]. In response, the organization established a secret council to confer during the trial.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=XLII}} The secret council held talks with Poland, and organized forces to revolt against the Teutonic Knights.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=XLIV}} The verdict of the Imperial court of 1453 declared the confederation illegal, however, the verdict was not recognized by the organization nor by Poland.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=XLV}}