The Teutonic Knights in the Holy Land, 1190-1291

The Teutonic Order was founded in 1190 to provide medical care for crusaders in the kingdom of Jerusalem. In time, it assumed a military role and played an important part in the defence of the Christian territories in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Baltic regions of Prussia and Livonia; in the Levant, it fought against the neighbouring Islamic powers, whilst managing their turbulent relations with their patrons in the papacy and the German Empire. As the Order grew, it colonised territories in Prussia and Livonia, forcing it to address how it distributed its resources between its geographically-spread communities. Similarly, the brethren also needed to develop an organisational framework that could support the conduct of war on frontiers that were divided by hundreds of miles. This book - the first comprehensive analysis of the Order in the Holy Land - explores the formative years of this powerful international institution and places its deeds in the Levant within the context of the wider Christian, pagan and Islamic world. It examines the challenges that shaped its identity and the masters who planned its policies. Dr NICHOLAS MORTON is Lecturer in History at Nottingham Trent University. The Teutonic Order Was Founded In 1190 To Provide Medical Care For Crusaders In The Kingdom Of Jerusalem. In Time It Assumed A Military Role And Played An Important Part In The Wars Of The Christian Territories In The Eastern Mediterranean And In The Baltic Regions Of Prussia And Livonia. In The Levant, The Brethren Fought Against The Neighbouring Islamic Powers, While Managing Their Turbulent Relations With Their Patrons In The Papacy And The German Empire. As The Order Grew, It Colonised Territories In Prussia And Livonia, Forcing It To Address How It Would Distribute Its Resources Between The Baltic And The Mediterranean. Similarly, The Brethren Needed To Develop An Organisational Framework That Could Support The Conduct Of War On Frontiers That Were Divided By Hundreds Of Miles. This Book - The First Comprehensive Analysis Of The Order In The Holy Land Explores The Formative Years Of This Powerful International Institution And Places Its Deeds In The Levant Within The Context Of The Wider Christian, Pagan And Islamic World. It Examines The Challenges That Shaped The Order's Identity And The Masters Who Planned Its Policies.--jacket. The Foundation Of The Order, 1190-1215 -- The Fifth Crusade And The Development Of The Teutonic Knights, 1216-1223 -- The Preparations For The Expedition Of Frederick Ii -- From The Crusade Of Emperor Frederick Ii To The Death Of Herman Von Salza, 1227-1239 -- Conrad Von Thüringen, The Barons' Crusade And A Change Of Policy -- Dependence And Independence -- The Division Of Resources Between The Holy Land And The Baltic -- The Politics Of The Levant -- The Military Organisation Of The Teutonic Knights In The Holy Land -- Control, Co-ordination And Supply. Nicholas Edward Morton. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 207-220) And Index. A detailed study of the Teutonic Knights in the Holy Land, covering both their military and administrative affairs. The Teutonic Order was founded in 1190 to provide medical care for crusaders in the kingdom of Jerusalem. In time, it assumed a military role and played an important part in the defence of the Christian territories in the EasternMediterranean and in the Baltic regions of Prussia and Livonia; in the Levant, it fought against the neighbouring Islamic powers, whilst managing their turbulent relations with their patrons in the papacy and the German Empire. Asthe Order grew, it colonised territories in Prussia and Livonia, forcing it to address how it distributed its resources between its geographically-spread communities. Similarly, the brethren also needed to develop an organisational framework that could support the conduct of war on frontiers that were divided by hundreds of miles. This book - the first comprehensive analysis of the Order in the Holy Land - explores the formative years of this powerful international institution and places its deeds in the Levant within the context of the wider Christian, pagan and Islamic world. It examines the challenges that shaped its identity and the masters who planned its policies. Dr NICHOLAS MORTON is Lecturer in History at Nottingham Trent University. "The Teutonic Order was founded in 1190 to provide medical care for crusaders in the kingdom of Jerusalem. In time it assumed a military role and played an important part in the wars of the Christian territories in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Baltic regions of Prussia and Livonia. In the Levant, the brethren fought against the neighbouring Islamic powers, while managing their turbulent relations with their patrons in the papacy and the German Empire. As the Order grew, it colonised territories in Prussia and Livonia, forcing it to address how it would distribute its resources between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. Similarly, the brethren needed to develop an organisational framework that could support the conduct of war on frontiers that were divided by hundreds of miles. This book - the first comprehensive analysis of the Order in the Holy Land explores the formative years of this powerful international institution and places its deeds in the Levant within the context of the wider Christian, pagan and Islamic world. It examines the challenges that shaped the Order's identity and the masters who planned its policies."--Page 4 of cover Contents List of Illustrations and Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations and Editorial Note Introduction 1 The Foundation of the Order, 1190–1215 2 The Fifth Crusade and the Development of the Teutonic Knights, 1216–1223 3 The Preparations for the Expedition of Frederick II 4 From the Crusade of Emperor Frederick II to the Death of Herman von Salza, 1227–1239 5 Conrad von Thüringen, the Barons’ Crusade and a Change of Policy 6 Dependence and Independence 7 The Division of Resources between the Holy Land and the Baltic 8 The Politics of the Levant 9 The Military Organisation of the Teutonic Knights in the Holy Land 10 Control, Co-ordination and Supply Conclusion Appendix A The Location of the Masters, 1210–1291 Appendix B Rural properties of the Teutonic Order1 Appendix C Masters of the Order, 1210–12961 Appendix D The Crops and Agricultural Infrastructure of the Order Appendix E.1 Marshals of the Order 1208–1300 Appendix E.2 Grand Commanders of the Order, 1215–1291 Bibliography Index