The Teutonic Order of Knights, or the Brotherhood of the Teutonic Church of St. Mary of Jerusalem, arose in February 1191. Warrior monks who took a vow of chastity, obedience and poverty very quickly turned into a real force that everyone in Europe reckoned with. This organization combined the spirit and fighting traditions of the Templars with the charitable activities of the Hospitallers, at the same time being the conductor of the aggressive policy in the East, pursued by Western Europe. The article is devoted to the history of the Teutonic Order: the origin, development, death and heritage that has passed through the centuries.
The position of Christians in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade
The Crusades in the Holy Land became fertile ground for the emergence of the first spiritual knightly orders. They became the embodiment of the medieval religious spirit, the mood of European society, eager to protect Christian shrines and fellow believers from the aggression of Islam. On the one hand, it was a forced need to consolidate all reserves, and on the other hand, the Roman Catholic Church skillfully took advantage of this.church to strengthen its own influence.
The history of the Teutonic Order dates back to the time of the Third Crusade (1189-1192). The situation for Christians at that time was extremely difficult: they were squeezed out of Jerusalem. Only the city of Tire in the Principality of Antioch survived. Conrad of Montferrat, who ruled there, successfully held back the onslaught of the Muslims, but his strength was dwindling. The situation was changed by the reinforcements that arrived from Europe, the composition of which was very motley: warriors, pilgrims, merchants, artisans and many incomprehensible people who followed any army during the Middle Ages.
First appearance of the German-speaking knight brotherhood in the Holy Land
On the south side of the peninsula, washed by the Gulf of Haifa, in those days the port city of Acre was located. Thanks to its excellent protection, the port was able to unload and load cargo in almost any weather. This tidbit could not go unnoticed by the humble "warriors of the Lord." Baron Guy de Lusignan made a desperate attempt to besiege the city, despite the fact that the defending garrison exceeded his strength by several times.
However, the biggest test and misfortune during all medieval wars was the lack of medicine. Unsanitary conditions, a huge concentration of people in one place were excellent conditions for the development of various diseases, such as typhus. The Knights of the Teutonic Order, the Hospitallers, the Templars fought this scourge as best they could. Almshouses became the only place where help was provided by the forces of pilgrims,trying in this way to go to heaven for their deeds. Among them were representatives of the commercial circles of Bremen and Lübeck. Their original mission was to create a German-speaking brotherhood of knights to help the sick and injured.
In the future, the possibility of building some kind of military organization to protect and support their trade operations was considered. This was done in order to no longer depend on the Knights Templar, which had a huge influence in the region.
The son of the drowned Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa favorably reacted to this idea and at first supported the almshouses being created. This explains the fact that the knights of the Teutonic Order had excellent relations with the Holy Roman Empire. Very often they even acted as intermediaries between its rulers and the heads of the Roman Catholic Church. With such comprehensive support, the Brotherhood of the Teutonic Church of St. Mary of Jerusalem, created in 1198, did everything possible to justify the high trust.
Soon, like their colleagues, the organization of the Knights of the Teutonic Order acquired large land holdings not only in the Holy Land, but mainly in Europe. It was there that the main, most combat-ready forces of the brotherhood were concentrated.
Structure of the Teutonic Order
Provinces (komturii) of the order were located on the territory of Livonia, Apulia, Teutonia, Austria, Prussia, Armenia and Romania. The chronicles mention seven large provinces, but there were also smaller possessions.
Each position and title in the order was elective. Even the head of the order, the Great Grandmaster, was elected and was obliged to confer with 5 grandgebiters (Great Lords). Each of these 5 permanent advisers was responsible for a specific direction in the order:
- Grand commander (the right hand of the head of the order and his quartermaster).
- High Marshal.
- The Supreme Hospitaller (managed all hospitals of the organization).
- Quartermaster.
- Treasurer.
The control of a certain province was carried out by the Land Commander. He was also obliged to confer, but already with the chapter. Even the commander of the fortress garrison (castellan) made this or that decision with an eye to the opinion of the soldiers under his command.
If you believe the chronicles, the Teutonic Knights were not distinguished by discipline. For the same Templars, the orders were much tougher. Nevertheless, at first, the organization coped with the tasks assigned to it quite effectively.
Composition of the organization
Members of the brotherhood of knights were divided into categories, each of which had certain functions. At the very top, as was customary in those days, there were knight brothers. These are the descendants of noble families who made up the elite of the troops of the order. Slightly lower in status in this structure were brother priests who organized the ceremonial, ideological component of service in the order. In addition, they were also engaged in various sciences and were perhaps the most educated members of the community.
Commoners engaged in bothmilitary and church service, were called other brothers.
The Knights of the Teutonic Order also attracted into their ranks the laity, not bound by solemn vows, but nevertheless bringing considerable benefit. They were represented by two main categories: half-brothers and familiars. Familiars are generous donors from among the we althiest segments of the population. And half-brothers were involved in various economic activities.
Dedication to the Knights of the Teutonic Order
There was a certain selection for all candidates wishing to join the movement of the "liberators" of the Holy Sepulcher. It took place on the basis of a conversation, during which important details of the biography were clarified. Before starting the questions, the chapter warned of a life full of hardships. This is service to a higher idea until the end of life.
Only after that it was necessary to make sure that the newcomer had not previously been in another order, had no spouse and no debts. He himself is not anyone's creditor, and if he is, he has forgiven or already settled this delicate issue. Dog-knights of the Teutonic Order do not tolerate money-grubbing.
Having a serious illness was a significant obstacle. In addition, it was necessary to have complete personal freedom. Everything secret sooner or later becomes clear. If unpleasant facts of deceit were revealed, then, despite their merits, such a member of the brotherhood was expelled.
When consecrated to the Knights of the Teutonic Order, a sacred oath was given to observe chastity, obedience and poverty until death. From now on, postprayers, military deeds, hard physical labor were supposed to tame the body and spirit on the way to gaining a place in paradise. Despite such harsh conditions, more and more people wanted to become part of the "army of Christ", with fire and sword to carry his word to the lands of the pagans.
Religious fanaticism in the fledgling minds of the crowd, who do not want to think and live independently, at all times is skillfully fueled by various kinds of preachers. In the Middle Ages, the romantic halo that surrounded robbers, rapists and murderers, and concurrently also “defenders of the Christian faith”, was so blinding that many young men from the most noble and respected families of that time did not hesitate to choose the path of a warrior-monk.
The virgin knight of the Teutonic Order could find solace only in prayers and in the hope that sooner or later his soul would rush to heaven.
Appearance and symbols
The black cross on a white background is one of the brightest and most recognizable symbols of the order. So in popular culture it is customary to portray the Teutonic. However, not all members of this community had the right to wear such a garment. For each hierarchical level, the regulations clearly defined the symbolism. She was reflected in coats of arms, robes.
The coat of arms of the head of the order emphasized his vassal devotion to the German emperor. Another yellow cross with a shield and an eagle was superimposed on a black cross with a yellow border. The issue of heraldry of other hierarchs causes a lot of controversy and disagreement. But it is known for sure that the leadership of smaller administrative units had special wands indicatingtheir supremacy and the right to hold courts.
Only brother knights were allowed to wear white cloaks with black crosses. For all other categories of knights of the Teutonic Order, the vestments were gray cloaks with a T-shaped cross. This extended to mercenary commanders as well.
Asceticism
Even Bernard of Clairvaux, the spiritual leader and one of the ideological inspirers of the crusades, drew a clear line between the monk-knights and the mundane. According to him, traditional chivalry was on the side of the Devil. Lush clothes, knightly tournaments, luxury - all this alienated them from the Lord. A true Christian warrior is dirty, with a long beard and hair, despising worldly fuss, focused on fulfilling a sacred duty. When going to bed, the brothers did not take off their clothes and boots. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that typhus and the knights of the Teutonic Order have always walked hand in hand.
However, almost all "cultural" Europe for a long time, even after the Crusades, neglected the rules of elementary hygiene. And as punishment - multi-shift outbreaks of plague and smallpox, which destroyed most of its population.
Having a huge influence in society, Bernard of Clairvaux (even the papacy listened to his opinion) easily pushed through his ideas, which excited minds for a long time. Describing the life of a knight of the Teutonic Order of the 13th century, it should be mentioned that, despite the high rank in the hierarchy of the organization, any of its members had the right to have only a certain set of personal belongings. These included: a pair of shirts and two pairs of boots,mattress, surcoat, knife. There were no locks on the chests. Wearing any fur was forbidden.
It was forbidden to wear their coats of arms and boast of their origin during hunting, tournaments. The only recreation allowed was woodcarving.
There were various pen alties for breaking the rules. One of these was "removing the robe and eating on the floor." The guilty knight did not have the right to sit at a common table with other brothers until the pen alty was lifted. Such punishment was most often resorted to for serious violations in the campaign. For example, breaking the line.
Armor
The basis of the protective equipment of the knight of the Teutonic Order in full growth was chain mail with long sleeves. A chain mail hood was attached to it. Under it they wore a quilted gambizon or caftan. A quilted cap covered the head over the chain mail. A shell was put on top of the listed uniform. German and Italian blacksmiths paid close attention to the issue of armor modernization (their English and French colleagues did not show such agility). The result was a significant increase in plate armor. Its chest, dorsal parts were connected at the shoulders, having lacing on the sides.
If until about the middle of the 14th century the breastplate was relatively small, designed to protect the chest, then later this oversight was corrected. The belly was now also covered.
Experimenting with steel, lack of qualified personnel, combination of German and Italian styles inweapons business led to the fact that the main material for the manufacture of such equipment was "white" steel.
The protection of the legs was usually made up of chain mail stockings, steel knee pads. They were worn on thigh pads. In addition, there were leggings made from a single plate. The spurs of the knights were studded and gilded.
Armaments
The uniform and weapons of the Knights of the Teutonic Order were distinguished by excellent efficiency. There was an influence not only of the best traditions of the West, but also of the East. If we touch on the topic of small arms of that time, then, judging by the surviving documents describing in detail the characteristics and type of cocked mechanism, some conclusions arise:
- conventional, shooting and composite crossbows stood out;
- firearms enthusiastically mastered;
- part of this type of weaponry the Order had the ability to manufacture independently.
Swords were considered more noble weapons, but some of the heads of the Catholic Church anathematized crossbows. True, few people paid attention to it. In war, all means are good.
The most favorite means of close combat were considered battle axes and hammers. After a stay in Palestine, the shape of the ax blade was borrowed there. They could easily break through the armor. The sword could not boast of such characteristics.
Martial traditions
The Knights of the Teutonic Order favorably differed from the lay knights in their discipline. The charter of the order regulated every little thing, not only in battle. Usually the knight was accompanied by several of his squires withmarching horses that did not participate in hostilities. The warhorse was used only in combat, but even with a few spare animals, warriors most often traveled long distances on foot. It was strictly forbidden to mount a horse or put on armor without an order.
In military matters, the Teutons were pragmatic. Traditional chivalry on the battlefield could easily start a quarrel for the right to be the first to attack in order to cover the name with glory. Even while in battle, they could easily break the system or give a signal without permission. And this is a direct path to defeat. Among the Teutons, such offenses were punishable by death.
Their battle formation was made in three lines. The reserve was placed in the third line. Heavy knights came to the forefront. Behind them, in the form of an elongated quadrangle, horsemen and auxiliary forces usually lined up. Order infantry brought up the rear.
There was a certain sense in this distribution of forces: a heavy wedge disrupted the enemy’s battle formations, and the less combat-ready units following behind finished off the staggering enemy of chivalry.
Battle of Grunwald
Most of all, the Teutonic Order annoyed the Poles and Litvins. They were his main enemies. Even having a numerical superiority, Jagiello and Vitovt understood that the victory in this battle would go to the one whose morale was stronger. Therefore, they were in no hurry, despite the displeased whispers of their most ardent warriors, to get involved in the battle.
Beforeappear on the battlefield, the Teutons covered a huge distance in the rain and settled in open space under the cover of their artillery, languishing from the heat. And their opponents took refuge in the shadow of the forest and, despite the accusations of cowardice, were in no hurry to leave.
The battle began with the battle cry "Lithuania", and the Litvin cavalry destroyed the cannons. Competent construction made it possible to get to the Teutons with minimal losses. This sowed panic in the ranks of the German infantry, and then death, but from his own cavalry - Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen spared no one in the heat of battle. The light cavalry of the Litvins completed their task: the guns were destroyed, and the heavy cavalry of the Teutons joined the wheelhouse ahead of schedule. But there were losses on the side of the combined forces. The Tatar cavalry ran without looking back.
Poles and chivalry clashed in a cruel cabin. The Litvins, meanwhile, lured the crusaders into the forests, where an ambush was already waiting for them. All this time, the Poles and soldiers from Smolensk courageously resisted the best army in Europe at that time. The return of the Litvins raised the morale of the Poles. And then the reserve of both sides was introduced into the battle. Even the peasants of the Litvins and Poles rushed to the rescue in this difficult hour. The Great Grandmaster also participated in this cruel, merciless rag, where he met his doom.
The ancestors of Poles, Belarusians, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Czechs and many other peoples stopped the faithful dogs of the Vatican. Nowadays, you can only see a photo of a knight of the Teutonic Order or visit the annual festival of the Battle of Grunwald - anothera common victory that united the destinies of different peoples.
