Teutonic Order (Germany)

Deutscher Orden, Ordo Domus Sanctae Mariae Teutonicorum

Last modified: 2002-06-14 by santiago dotor
Keywords: germany | prussia | teutonic order | deutscher orden | grand master | deutschmeister | cross: scandinavian (black) | cross: scandinavian (yellow) | cross: potent (yellow) | cross: potent (fimbriated) | coat of arms (eagl |
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by Jaume Ollé

• Introduction
• Flags in the Banderia Prutenorum Manuscript
• Flag of the Teutonic Order (Fahne des Deutschen Ordens)
• Grand Master of the Teutonic Order (Deutschmeister)
• Komturias of the Teutonic Order:
  • Komturias of the Teutonic Order A-O
  • Komturias of the Teutonic Order R-Z

See also:

• Flags of the Crusades
• Duchy of Prussia 1525-1701
• Proposed Baltic Duchy 1918 (Estonia and Latvia)
• Germany
• Poland

Other sites:

• Teutonic Order at the Catholic Encyclopedia

Among the groups of knights organized during the Crusades (e.g Templars, Hospitallers) was a group, largely and later exclusively German, called in German the Deutscher Orden ["German Order"] and in English the Teutonic Knights. In 1225, after the failure of the attempt to reconquer the Holy Land, Pope Gregory IX ordered the Teutonic Knights to convert the Prussians, a people related to the Lithuanians and Latvians and who were the last remaining pagans in Europe. This action apparently pleased the Poles, especially the Duke of Mazovia, to whom the Prussians were not only non-believers, but also warlike pains-in-the-neck. In a long war the Order finally conquered the Prussians by 1285, killing some, converting and subjecting others, and set up a unique feudal state. By the way, the Prussians as a unique ethnic group ceased to exist with the final end of their language at the end of the 17th century, although probably, the bulk of them merged with the German-speaking colonists.

Norman Martin, 20 January 1998

Fahne des Deutschen Ordens

by Jaume Ollé

Black scandinavian cross on white field. Frequently shown with the fly half of the flag cut into three "ribbons" (up to center). Occasionally, but rarely, the cross is shown as a St. George type (as in the flag of England). Illustrated in Smith 1975, p. 115. Also, flag is sometimes shown with a narrow blue stripe along the hoist.

Norman Martin, 20 January 1998

Deutschmeister

by Jaume Ollé

Similar to the flag of the Order except [that the] cross is gold, fimbriated black and it is a cross potent — i.e. it has rectangular feet at each end. At the point where the arms cross, a shield with the Imperial Arms — black eagle on gold field. Frequently shown with the fly half of the flag cut into three "ribbons" (up to center). Occasionally, but rarely, the cross is shown as a St. George type (as in the flag of England). Illustrated in Smith 1975, p. 115.

Norman Martin, 20 January 1998