The army was split into two groups: one, led by the Count of Barby, to operate in Sambia and the other, under the leadership of the Count of Reyden, to operate in Natangia.
The town was methodical founded by the Teutonic knights commander of Balga, Heinrich von Muro, on February 5, 1335 at the crossing of the streets Balga - Heilsberg and Bartenstein - Mehlsack in the heart of the Old Prussian region of Natangia.