The State of the Teutonic Order was a theocratic state which originated from the Teutonic Knights’ efforts to Christianize the Baltic tribes, a mission that began in the early 13th century and continued aggressively throughout the 14th century. This period saw the Knights consolidating their control over Prussia and extending their influence into areas that are now part of modern-day Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
The administrative center of the State of the Teutonic Order was Marienburg Castle, which served as the key political and military hub. The state was characterized by a highly militarized society, with the Knights forming the ruling class. They established a network of castles and fortified towns throughout their territories to secure their control and facilitate further expansion.
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Conflicts with neighboring powers, particularly Poland and Lithuania, were frequent as the state expanded. The most significant of these conflicts was the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, where the Teutonic Order faced a major defeat against a Polish-Lithuanian coalition.
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The state’s eventual secularization in 1525 by Grand Master Albert of Brandenburg-Ansbach, transforming it into the Duchy of Prussia, marked the end of the Teutonic Knights’ territorial rule and laid the groundwork for the emergence of the Prussian state.
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[1]: Jürgen Sarnowsky, Der Deutsche Orden, 3., durchgesehene Auflage., C.H. Beck Wissen 2428 (München: C.H.Beck, 2022). Zotero link: QW4M9YTP
[2]: Gerald Iselt and Rolf Fuhrmann, eds., Tannenberg 1410: die Niederlage des Deutschen Ritterordens ; die Belagerung der Marienburg 1410, Heere & Waffen 7 (Berlin: Zeughaus-Verl, 2008). Zotero link: HARPZFSE
| [1,352 CE ➜ 1,382 CE] | 1351 CE 1400 CE |
| [1,300 CE ➜ 1,400 CE] | 1300 CE 1400 CE |
| Year Range | State of the Teutonic Order (pl_teutonic_order) was in: |
|---|
Under Grand Master Winrich von Kniprode (1352–1382), the Teutonic Order experienced its golden age, achieving a notable victory over the Lithuanians in the Battle of Rudau in 1370. [1]
[1]: Jürgen Sarnowsky, Der Deutsche Orden, 3., durchgesehene Auflage., C.H. Beck Wissen 2428 (München: C.H.Beck, 2022). Zotero link: QW4M9YTP
The organization of the Teutonic Order was highly structured, with the Grand Master at the top of the hierarchy exercising significant control over the territories and military orders within the state. [1]
[1]: Jürgen Sarnowsky, Der Deutsche Orden, 3., durchgesehene Auflage., C.H. Beck Wissen 2428 (München: C.H.Beck, 2022). Zotero link: QW4M9YTP