Editing Royal Prussia (section)

=== Prussian Confederation ===
The independent [[Duchy of Pomerelia]] is mentioned in 1227. It was, however, invaded by [[History of Poland during the Piast dynasty|Poland]] by 1282, but retained some autonomy.<ref name="ReferenceA">Frost, Robert, ''The Oxford History of Poland-Lithuania,'' Vol. I</ref> During the rule of [[Władysław I the Elbow-high]] of Poland, the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]] challenged his rule over the territory in 1308, leading Władysław to request assistance from the [[Teutonic Knights]], who ousted the Brandenburgers, but then seized Pomerelia for themselves and incorporated it into the [[Teutonic Order state]] in 1309 ([[Teutonic takeover of Danzig (Gdańsk)]] and [[Treaty of Soldin (1309)|Treaty of Soldin]] ([[Myślibórz]])). The papal court in 1320 and 1333 ruled in favour of Poland{{fact|date=July 2024}}, however, the Teutonic Knights did not comply and continued to occupy the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/wojny-polsko-krzyzackie;3997560.html|title=wojny polsko-krzyżackie|website=Encyklopedia PWN|access-date=20 January 2024|language=pl}}</ref> At the beginning of the 15th century, the lands held by the Teutonic Knights were inhabited as a whole by a mixed population; it is estimated that there were about 200 000 Germans in the state altogether, followed by 140 000 native Prussians located in the Prussia proper (east of Vistula), as well about 140 000 Poles in [[Pomerelia]] and [[Masuria]].{{sfn|Frost|2015|p=221}}

The burden of taxation and the arbitrary way of governing caused resistance among the people of Prussia. The burghers of the great Prussian cities began to organize themselves. The first organized body was the [[Lizard Union (medieval)|Lizard League]] founded by the [[Chelmno Land]] nobility in 1397.{{sfn|Friedrich|2000|p=20}} After being defeated at the [[Battle of Grunwald]] in 1410, the Teutonic Knights's prestige declined, most towns and castles, as well as three Prussian bishops, swore loyalty to the Polish king.{{sfn|Frost|2015|p=108}} Although the Order soon regained control over most of its territory, by the 1411 [[Peace of Thorn (1411)|Peace of Thorn]] they were forced to pay large compensation of 100,000 kop groszy for the return of prisoners,{{sfn|Frost|2015|p=108 & 211}} which became a financial burden on the citizenry. Facing the opposition the komtur of Danzig ordered to execute the city's mayor Konrad Letzkau along with two councillors and five Chełmno nobles without a trial.{{sfn|Frost|2015|p=211}}

In order to protect their rights nobles and burghers created for the first time a joint assembly in 1412.{{sfn|Friedrich|2000|p=21}} Subsequent peace treaties (1422 and 1435) with Poland gave the Order's subjects the right to throw off its sovereignty if it violated them.{{sfn|Frost|2015|p=211}} In 1440, as the tax burden rose, the nobles and various cities established the [[Prussian Confederation]] at [[Kwidzyn|Marienwerder]] (Kwidzyn) in resistance of the Order's domestic and financial policies. Confederation formed a self-governing bicameral institution, representing nobles and burghers of the province, which took decisions unanimously.{{sfn|Friedrich|2000|p=22}} Many further nobles and cities and towns soon joined the organization.{{sfn|Górski|1949|pp=XXXI, XXXVII–XXXVIII}}

[[File:AGAD Stany pruskie oddaja swe ziemie krolowi polskiemu Kazimierzowi Jagiellonczykowi i koronie polskiej.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Representatives of the Prussian Confederation take on oath of allegiance to Poland during the act of incorporation of Prussia in [[Kraków]], 1454, [[Polish Central Archives of Historical Records]]]]
The Confederation was led by the citizens of Danzig, Elbing, and Thorn. The gentry from Chełmno Land and Pomerelia participated as well. After the monastic knights complained to the Emperor and [[Council of Basel]], the Prussian parliament had to dissolve itself in 1449, but immediately resumed its clandestine activities. In turn, in February 1454, the Confederation sent a delegation, under [[Jan Bażyński]], to King [[Casimir IV Jagiellon]] of Poland, to ask him for support against the Teutonic Order's rule and for incorporation of their homeland into the Kingdom of Poland. In this treaty, Prussian delegates declared the Polish king the only true sovereign of their lands, justified by the historical fact that the king of Poland had earlier ruled them. After lengthy negotiation, on 6 March 1454, the Royal Chancellery issued the ''Incorporation Act'' by which king Kazimierz Jagiellończyk accepted inhabitants of the Prussian lands as subjects, incorporated Prussia to the Polish kingdom and granted them a large autonomy.{{sfn|Friedrich|2000|p=22-23}} 
The Prussian estates received confirmation of their rights and privileges, were exempted from paying the ''{{ill|Pfundzoll|de}}'', received the ''[[ius indigenatus]]'', the right to decide on Prussian affairs at their own estate assemblies and a guarantee of the freedom of trade.{{sfn|Friedrich|2000|p=23}} Thorn, Elbing, Königsberg and Danzig ([[Danzig law]]) were to retain the right to mint coins during the war, although with the image of the Polish king.{{sfn|Frost|2015|p=219}}