Page "Masuria" Paragraph 8

It is estimated that around 220, 000 Old Prussians lived in this territory in 1200.

The wilderness was their natural barrier against the attacks by would-be invaders.

During the Northern Crusades of the early 13th century, the Old Prussians used this thick forest as a line of defense.

They did it again against the Knights of the Teutonic Order invited to Poland by Konrad Mazowiecki in 1226.

The order's goal was to convert the native population to Christianity and baptize it by force if necessary.

In the subsequent conquest which lasted over 50 years, the original population was nearly exterminated especially during the major Prussian rebellion of 1261 – 83.

By the years 1278 – 1283 the eradication of the local culture was complete, even though its remnants survived in the forest for decades to come.