The Teutonic Knights: A Military HistoryThe Teutonic knights were powerful and ferocious advocates of holy war. Their history is suffused with crusading, campaigning and struggle. Feared by their enemies but respected by medieval Christendom, the knights and their Order maintained a firm hold over the Baltic and northern Germany and established a formidable regime which flourished across central Europe for 300 years. This book surveys the gripping history of the knights and relates their rise to power; their struggles against Prussian pagans; the series of wars against Poland and Lithuania; the clash with Alexander Nevsky's Russia; and the gradual stagnation of the Order in the fourteenth century. The book is replete with dramatic episodes - such as the battle on frozen Lake Peipus in 1242, or the disaster of Tannenberg - but focuses primarily on the year-after-year struggle to maintain power, fend off incursions and raiding bands, and to launch crusades against unbelieving foes. And it was the crusade, with knights demonstrating their valor, which chiefly characterized and breathed life into this militant, conquering Holy Order. The narrative charts the rise and fall of the Order, and, in an accessible and engaging style, throws light on a band of knights whose deeds and motives have long been misunderstood. |
Contents
The Military Orders | 1 |
Europe 1227 | 7 |
The Foundation of the Teutonic Order | 9 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
able accepted allowed army attack Baltic battle became become believed bishop brothers brought called castles century changed Christian chronicler Church cities commander Conrad cross crusaders Culm dangerous defeat defend dukes east effective efforts emperor enemies fight followed forces garrison German give grand master hand Heinrich Hermann Holy Land hope Hungary important interest Italy Jagiełło king Ladislas lands later less Lithuanian live Livonia Marienburg mercenaries military Moreover moved native needed nobles Novgorod officers once pagans papacy papal peace perhaps plans Poland Poles Polish pope practices priests princes protect Prussia raids region religious remained River Roman rule rulers Rus'ian Samogitia seemed sent served short soon subjects success Tatars Teutonic Knights Teutonic Order took traditional troops units victory Vytautas wanted warriors West Western Winrich von Kniprode
References to this book
Medicine in the Crusades: Warfare, Wounds and the Medieval Surgeon Piers D. Mitchell Limited preview - 2004 |
The Knights Templar: The History and Myths of the Legendary Military Order Sean Martin No preview available - 2004 |