The Polish army took part in the capture of Malbork, which lasted 13 years (Thirteen Years' War). However, the castle in Malbork was not captured with weapons, but with money.

Malbork Castle was an impregnable fortress, so an agreement was reached with the mercenaries of the Teutonic Knights (mainly of German and Czech origin), who had not received pay for a long time, that Poland would pay them the outstanding pay, and in return, they would give up their castles, including Malbork. Malbork (as well as the castles in Iława and Tczew) were bought for 190.000 florins (a gold coin weighing approximately 3.5 g), which was the equivalent of 665 kg of gold.