In 1226, Duke Konrad of Masovia invited the Teutonic Order to Poland, granting them the Chełmno Land as a base for fighting against pagan Prussians. This event initiated the establishment of a powerful monastic state in the Baltic region.
The Teutonic Order was one of the most significant military-religious organizations in medieval Europe. The establishment of the monastic state in Prussia represents a fascinating chapter in the history of Poland and the entire Baltic region.
The history of the Teutonic state began in 1226 when Duke Konrad of Masovia invited the Order to fight against the pagan Prussians. What was initially meant to be military support transformed into a powerful monastic state that significantly influenced the fate of Central Europe for centuries to come. The Order quickly began building its power, creating an administrative and economic system that lasted until the 16th century.
Origins of the Teutonic Order in the Holy Land
#The Teutonic Order was founded in 1190 in Acre during the Third Crusade when German merchants from Bremen and Lübeck established a field hospital for wounded crusaders. The organization's original name was "The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem."
Pope Clement III officially approved the Order on February 6, 1191, granting it the status of a hospitaller order. Initially, the organization focused on caring for sick and wounded pilgrims in the Holy Land, operating similarly to other hospitaller orders.
The transformation into a military order occurred in 1198 with the approval of Pope Innocent III. The Teutonic Knights adopted the rule of the Templars for military matters and the rule of the Hospitallers for matters of caring for the sick. Their distinctive dress became a white mantle with a black cross.
Organizational structure of the Order during the Palestinian period:
- Grand Master as the supreme leader
- General Chapter composed of knight-brothers
- Commanders managing individual outposts
- Brother-knights responsible for military actions
- Brother-priests providing spiritual service
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1190 | Establishment of hospital in Acre |
| 1191 | Approval by Pope Clement III |
| 1198 | Transformation into a military order |
| 1211 | First stay of the Teutonic Knights in Hungary |
| 1226 | Invitation to Poland by Konrad of Masovia |
In the Holy Land, the Order gained significant military and administrative experience. These skills proved crucial during their later expansion in Europe, particularly in the Baltic region.
Bringing the Teutonic Knights to Poland
#The Teutonic Order appeared in Poland in 1226 at the invitation of Duke Konrad of Masovia. Historical documents confirm that this decision was a turning point in medieval Polish history.
Invitation by Konrad of Masovia
#Duke Konrad of Masovia invited the Teutonic Order to defend the northern borders of his duchy against raids by the pagan Prussians. The Knights received an official invitation in the form of a document issued in Łowicz in 1226. The first Knights arrived in Poland in 1228 under the leadership of Herman von Salza, the then Grand Master of the Order.
Granting of Chełmno Land
#Konrad of Masovia granted the Teutonic Knights the Chełmno Land as a base for fighting the Prussians. The grant was confirmed by a document issued in Kruszwica in 1230. The territory included:
| Area | Size (km²) |
|---|---|
| Chełmno Land | approximately 4650 |
| Michałów Land | approximately 650 |
- Full judicial authority in the granted territory
- Right to mint their own coins
- Exemption from tributes to the duke
- Permission to build defensive castles
Conquest of Prussia and Building of the Monastic State
#The Teutonic Knights began the systematic conquest of Prussia in 1231 after securing their territorial base in the Chełmno Land. The territorial expansion process lasted five decades and was characterized by methodical construction of fortification networks and planned colonization of conquered territories.
First Teutonic Settlements and Castles
#The Teutonic Knights built their first castle in Toruń in 1231, creating a base for further conquests. The network of fortifications included strategic points:
- Castle in Chełmno (1232) - administrative center of the Chełmno Land
- Balga Fortress (1239) - key control point of the Vistula Lagoon
- Castle in Elbląg (1237) - main trading port of the Teutonic state
- Königsberg (1255) - largest fortress in East Prussia
The strongholds combined functions:
- Military: defensive points during military campaigns
- Administrative: seats of commanders managing districts
- Economic: centers of trade and crafts
- Territorial organization:
- Division into commanderies (administrative units)
- Establishment of parish networks
- Construction of road systems connecting major centers
- Social structure:
- Order's knights exercising military power
- German burghers developing trade
- Prussian peasants obligated to tributes and services
- Economic development:
- Establishing towns under Chełmno law
- Creating monastic manors
- Organizing trade routes
| Year | Number of towns | Number of villages |
|---|---|---|
| 1250 | 3 | 20 |
| 1300 | 16 | 480 |
| 1350 | 54 | 1400 |
The Golden Age of the Teutonic State
#The Teutonic State reached its peak of power in the 14th century. Efficient administration, developed economy, and strong army made the Teutonic state one of the most powerful state organizations in Central Europe.
Administrative Structure
#The Order introduced a hierarchical administrative system based on commanderies. The Grand Master governed the state from headquarters in Malbork, which became the Order's capital in 1309. The territory was divided into:
- Main commanderies: Elbląg, Königsberg, Balga, Toruń
- Vogtships: Tczew, Lębork, Bytów
- Procuratorships: smaller units managing castles
- Urban districts: managed by city councils
- Maritime trade:
- Control of Baltic trade routes
- Membership in the Hanseatic League since 1280
- Export of grain, amber, and timber
- Agriculture:
- Manor system
- Colonization under Chełmno law
- Rent-based economy
- Urban crafts:
- Development of craft guilds
- Production of cloth and metalwork
- Mints in major cities
| Economic Indicator | 13th Century | 14th Century |
|---|---|---|
| Number of cities | 14 | 93 |
| Number of villages | 220 | 1400 |
| Population (estimated) | 140,000 | 480,000 |
Peak of the Teutonic Order's Power in the 14th Century
#The Teutonic Order reached the height of its power in the 14th century. The monastic state stretched from Pomerelia to Livonia, controlling strategic trade routes in the Baltic region.
Territorial Expansion
#The Teutonic Knights expanded their territory through systematic conquests. In 1309, they seized Pomerelia, in 1346 purchased Estonia from the Danish king for 19,000 Cologne marks, and in 1398 conquered Samogitia. The Order's territories included:
-
Teutonic Prussia (57,000 km²)
-
Pomerelia (15,000 km²)
-
Chełmno Land (4,650 km²)
-
Estonia (northern part)
-
Neumark (from 1402)
-
Alliance with Luxembourg against Poland (1331-1333)
-
Trade cooperation with Hanseatic cities
-
Conflict with the Archbishopric of Riga over control of Livonia
-
Strained relations with Poland after seizing Pomerelia
-
Rivalry with Lithuania over control of Samogitia
| Year | Event | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| 1309 | Seizure of Pomerelia | Gained access to the Baltic Sea |
| 1343 | Treaty of Kalisz | Recognition of Teutonic rule over Pomerelia |
| 1346 | Purchase of Estonia | Extension of influence northward |
| 1398 | Conquest of Samogitia | Connection of Prussian and Livonian territories |
Summary
#- The State of the Teutonic Order was officially established in 1226 when Duke Konrad of Mazovia invited the Teutonic Knights to fight against the pagan Prussians
- The Order itself was created earlier - in 1190 in Acre as a field hospital, and was transformed into a military order in 1198 with the approval of Pope Innocent III
- The Teutonic Knights received the Chełmno Land from Konrad of Mazovia as a base of operations, which was confirmed by a document from 1230
- In the 14th century, the Order reached its peak of power, controlling territories from Pomerelia to Livonia, with its main headquarters in Malbork (from 1309)
- The monastic state created an efficient administrative system based on commanderies and developed a strong economy through maritime trade and urban development
Summary
#The State of the Teutonic Order represents a fascinating example of medieval power that transformed from a small religious-military organization into a significant European state. The development of the monastic state from the arrival of the Teutonic Knights in Poland in 1226 until its peak of power in the 14th century demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in building administrative and economic structures.
Through well-thought-out colonization policies, efficient administration, and control of trade routes, the Order created a thriving state organism that shaped the history of the Baltic region for centuries. Although the monastic state eventually fell, its legacy in the form of castles, cities, and administrative system remained visible in the cultural landscape of Central Europe for a long time.