Bartenstein and Rößel (Reszel) were the two major Teutonic strongholds in Barta, one of the Prussian lands.

However, at Bartenstein the forts were far enough away to allow the castle to send out men on raids of the surrounding area.

Local noble Miligedo, who showed the Knights secret ways in the area, was killed by the Prussians.

This was repeated three times, and when the Knights actually fled, they left one old blind man behind to ring the church bell.

The castles presented a definite threat to the Bartians and Warmians, who had to keep their armies at home and could not participate in the wider uprising.