The Teutonic Order

Abstract

The German Order, also known as the Teutonic Knights or Deutschritter, was known for their vigor, efficiency and idealism, but above all for their “Germanness”. After its foundation in the Holy Land at Acre in 1189/90, developments often ran parallel to their colleagues brothers-in-arm and competitors, the Hospitaller Knights of St John and the Knights Templars. In the thirteenth century the Germans formed their own monastic state in an area comprising of Prussia and the old Baltic states. Their “Ordensstaat” was first established during the “Northern Crusades” of 1224. The peak occurred during the fourteenth century, followed by their downfall in 1410. During the Reformation this monastic state was secularized in 1525. The German Order still exists today as a charitable institution in the Netherlands, Italy and Austria.

This article is concerned with the development of the German Order, through a review of their history and comparison with order chivalric orders on particular issues.