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The Teutonic Knights: Crusaders of the North - full documentary

Real Crusades History・36 minutes read

German Crusaders establish the Teutonic Knights in 1198, focusing on military functions while retaining their hospital role, led by Grand Master Hermann von Salza in significant Crusade roles. Teutonic Knights faced challenges in Prussia, united Prussian tribes, and secured control with the aid of Crusader reinforcements.

Insights

  • The Teutonic Knights, initially founded as a hospital order, transitioned into a Military Order due to the shortage of fighting men in the Christian states, closely modeling themselves after the Knights Templar and focusing on military functions while maintaining their hospital role.
  • Hermann von Salza's leadership of the Teutonic Knights during the Fifth Crusade and in Prussia led to significant growth, diplomatic prowess securing donations and privileges, expansion into Prussia, and engagement with pagan tribes, ultimately establishing the Order as a major player in the Crusades.

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Recent questions

  • What led to the establishment of the Teutonic Knights in 1198?

    The German Crusaders decided that the brothers of the hospital should take on military duties due to a shortage of fighting men in the Christian states on the coast of Syria and Palestine, leading to the establishment of the Teutonic Knights in 1198.

  • Who became the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights in 1210?

    Hermann von Salza became the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights in 1210, marking the beginning of their significant role in the Crusades.

  • Why did the Teutonic Knights expand their presence in Prussia?

    The Teutonic Knights expanded their presence in Prussia due to the focus on the region inhabited by pagan tribes, with the establishment of fortresses and the expansion of their monastic state under the leadership of Hermann von Salza.

  • What tactics did the Prussian tribes use against the Teutonic Knights?

    The Prussian tribes, ruled by a warrior elite, engaged in slave raids and perfected ambush techniques to counter the Knights, leading to a challenging situation for the Teutonic Order in Prussia.

  • How did the Teutonic Knights eventually overcome the Prussian uprising?

    The Teutonic Knights persisted in fortifying their remaining castles, collaborated closely with the Pope and the church in Germany to organize new Crusades, and utilized Christianized Prussian auxilary troops for infiltrating pagan encampments and disrupting operations, ultimately leading to the submission of central Prussian nations to the Teutonic Knights by 1277.

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Summary

00:00

Establishment and Expansion of the Teutonic Knights

  • In 1197, German Crusaders arrive in the Holy Land and find the Order of the Hospital of St. Mary of the Germans flourishing, caring for the ill and providing lodging for pilgrims.
  • The German Crusaders decide that the brothers of the hospital should take on military duties due to a shortage of fighting men in the Christian states on the coast of Syria and Palestine.
  • Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich VI requests Pope Celestine III to reincorporate the German hospital as a Military Order, leading to the establishment of the Teutonic Knights in 1198.
  • The Teutonic Knights closely model themselves after the Knights Templar, adopting their rule and focusing primarily on military functions while retaining their hospital role.
  • Hermann von Salza becomes the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights in 1210, marking the beginning of their significant role in the Crusades.
  • Hermann von Salza demonstrates diplomatic and military prowess during the Fifth Crusade, securing donations and privileges for the Teutonic Order.
  • The Teutonic Knights grow considerably under Hermann von Salza's leadership, attracting donations from across Christendom and expanding their presence in Prussia.
  • Prussia, inhabited by pagan tribes, becomes a focus for the Teutonic Knights under Hermann von Salza's leadership, with the establishment of fortresses and expansion of their monastic state.
  • The Prussian tribes, ruled by a warrior elite, engage in slave raids and are targeted by Christian regions for their aggressive expansion and Christianization.
  • The Teutonic Knights, initially committed to the Holy Land, enter Prussia at the invitation of Polish Duke Conrad of Masovia, leading to the establishment of fortresses and annual campaigns against the Prussian warriors, resulting in the expansion of the Teutonic Order's territory in Prussia.

20:24

Prussian Uprising Against Teutonic Knights

  • Two major Prussian tribal groups in Pakistan came to terms with the German brother Knights, leading to the Teutonic Order aiming to encircle defiant pagans and connect Prussian lands with Livonia.
  • Duke Spent Appel Katpa Morelia felt threatened by new trading centers competing with his merchants, forging an alliance with pagans to ravage Teutonic ports and settlements in Comerland.
  • Spent Appel built forts to oppose Teutonic castles, using a river fleet of 20 ships to harass German settlements, while pagan Prussians perfected ambush techniques to counter the Knights.
  • Polish princes and the Pope supported the Teutonic Order against Spent Appel, leading to a treaty sharing the Vistula Delta, allowing the Order to recruit native Prussian militiamen and Christian cavalry.
  • Pope Innocent IV granted the Teutonic Order the privilege of a perpetual crusade in 1245, with the Treaty of Christ's birth in 1249 granting converted native Prussians Civil Liberties under Christian law.
  • The Teutonic Knights saw resurgence in the 1250s, with Mindaugas of Lithuania converting to Christianity, while a massive German Crusader army led by King Otto Gahr II secured Teutonic control over Samogitia.
  • The Great Prussian Uprising in the 1260s united Prussian tribes against the Teutonic Knights, with the Prussians adapting Christian tactics, building siege engines, and gaining an ally in Duke Mestwin II of Pomerelia.
  • The Prussians, led by the semi-Gideon's, inflicted heavy losses on the Teutonic Order, penetrating deep into their territory, overrunning castles, massacring garrisons, and forcing Mindaugas of Lithuania to renounce Christianity.
  • Pope Urban IV shifted focus from a Mongolian crusade to recruiting soldiers for a campaign in the north to aid the Teutonic Order in Prussia, as Crusader reinforcements were annihilated by the Prussians.
  • Between 1260 and 1264, the Teutonic Knights suffered significant losses, with two masters killed in battle, most fortresses lost, and the Prussians on the brink of wiping out the Order's presence in the Baltic, marking a reversal of fortunes.

38:24

Teutonic Knights' Persistence in Prussian Uprising

  • The Teutonic Knights persisted in fortifying their remaining castles despite the challenging situation.
  • Warrior monks readied themselves for a prolonged war of attrition.
  • Collaborated closely with the Pope and the church in Germany to organize new Crusades.
  • Several large German Crusades in 1265 stabilized the situation.
  • Crusader armies led by notable figures arrived in 1265, 1266, and 1272, aiding the Teutonic Knights.
  • Recaptured fortresses were rebuilt with brick or stone by the Teutonic brothers.
  • Christianized Prussian auxilary troops were utilized for infiltrating pagan encampments and disrupting operations.
  • Ambushes and raids executed by the Teutonic brothers proved devastating to the Prussian coalition.
  • Central Prussian nations submitted to the Teutonic Knights by 1277.
  • The events of the Prussian uprising showcased the adaptability of the native pagan Prussians and the tenacity of the Teutonic Knights, aided by reinforcing Crusades.
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