View source for State of the Teutonic Order

{{Short description|Baltic state, 1226–1561}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox country
| native_name            = {{native name|de|Staat des Deutschen Ordens}} <br/>{{native name|gml|Stat des Diutschen Ordens}}<br/>{{native name|la|Civitas Ordinis Theutonici}}
| conventional_long_name = State of the Teutonic Order
| common_name            = Teutonic Order
| image_flag             = Flag of the State of the Teutonic Order.svg
| image_coat             = Insignia Germany Order Teutonic.svg
| symbol_type            = 
| era                    = [[High Middle Ages]]
[[Late Middle Ages]]
[[Early Modern period]]
| status                 = State
| empire                 = 
| status_text            = Sovereign state {{small|(1230–1466)}}<br/>[[Fief]] <br/>{{small|(Prussia only)}} of the [[Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Polish Crown]] {{small|(1226–1230, 1466–1525)}}
| government_type        = [[Theocracy|Theocratic]] [[elective monarchy]]
| image_map              = TeutonicOrder1422.png
| image_map_caption      = The State of the Teutonic Order in 1422
| year_start             = 1226
| year_end               = 1561
| date_start             = March
| date_end               = 28 November
| event_start            = [[Golden Bull of Rimini]]
| event1                 = [[Teutonic takeover of Danzig (Gdańsk)]]
| date_event1            = 08 November 1308
| event2                 = [[Battle of Grunwald]]
| date_event2            = 15 July 1410
| event3                 = [[Thirteen Years' War (1454–1466)|Thirteen Years' War]]
| date_event3            = 1454–1466
| event4                 = [[Second Peace of Thorn (1466)|Second Peace of Thorn]]
| date_event4            = 19 October 1466
| event5                 = [[Polish–Teutonic War (1519–1521)|Polish–Teutonic War]]
| date_event5            = 1519–1521
| event6                 = [[Prussian Homage]] (end of the Prussian branch)
| date_event6            = 10 April 1525
| event_end              = [[Treaty of Vilnius (1561)]] (end of the Livonian branch)
| p1                     = Old Prussians
| p2                     = Duchy of Estonia (1219–1346){{!}}Duchy of Estonia
| p3                     = Yotvingians
| p4                     = 
| flag_p4                = 
| s1                     = Duchy of Prussia
| flag_s1                = Flag of Ducal Prussia.svg
| s2                     = Duchy of Courland and Semigallia
| flag_s2                = Flag of Courland (state).svg
| s3                     = Duchy of Livonia
| s4                     = Duchy of Estonia (1561–1721){{!}}Swedish Estonia
| flag_s4                = Flag of the Swedish Empire.svg
| s5                     = Royal Prussia
| flag_s5                = Flag_of_Prussia_(1466-1772)_Lob.svg
| capital                = [[Malbork|Marienburg]] {{small|(1308–1454)}}<br/>[[Königsberg]] {{small|(1454–1525)}}
| common_languages       = {{ubl|[[Middle Low German]]|[[Middle High German]], later [[Early New High German]] |[[Old Prussian language|Old Prussian]] |[[Medieval Latin]]|[[Baltic languages]]|[[Estonian language|Estonian]]|[[Livonian language|Livonian]]|[[Old Polish]]}}
| religion               = [[Roman Catholicism]]
| currency               = [[Mark (money)|Mark]]
| leader1                = [[Hermann von Salza]] {{small|(first reigning Grand Master)}}
| year_leader1           = 1226–1239
| leader2                = [[Albert, Duke of Prussia]] {{small|(last reigning Grand Master and Land Master of Prussia)}}
| year_leader2           = 1510–1525
| leader3                = [[Gotthard Kettler|Gotthard Kettler, Duke of Courland]] {{small|(last reigning Land Master of Livonia ([[Terra Mariana]])}}
| year_leader3           = 1559–1561
| title_leader           = [[Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights|Grand Master]] (until 1308); <br />Grand Master and [[Landmeister of Prussia|Land Master of Prussia]] (until 1525); <br />[[Landmeister in Livland|Land Master of Livonia]] (until 1561)
| legislature            = [[Prussian estates|Estates]]<ref name="ds">{{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Stone |title=A History of Central Europe |publisher=University of Washington Press |year=2001 |isbn=0295980931 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LFgB_l4SdHAC&pg=PA18 |pages=18–19 }}</ref>
| footnotes              = 
| demonym                = [[Teuton]]
| area_km2               = 
| area_rank              = 
| GDP_PPP                = 
| GDP_PPP_year           = 
| HDI                    = 
| HDI_year               = 
| today                  = 
}}
The '''State of the Teutonic Order''' ({{langx|de|Staat des Deutschen Ordens}}, {{IPA|de|ˈʃtaːt dɛs ˌdɔʏtʃn̩ ˈʔɔʁdn̩s|pron|De-Staat des Deutschen Ordens.ogg}}){{efn|{{langx|gml|Stat des Diutschen Ordens}}; {{langx|la|Civitas Ordinis Theutonici}}; {{langx|lt|Vokiečių ordino valstybė}}; {{langx|pl|Państwo zakonu krzyżackiego}}); in German also called ''{{lang|de|Deutschordensstaat}}'' ({{IPA|de|ˈdɔʏtʃʔɔʁdn̩sˌʃtaːt|pron|De-Deutschordensstaat.ogg}}) or ''{{lang|de|Ordensstaat}}'' ({{IPA|de|ˈɔʁdn̩sˌʃtaːt|pron|De-Ordensstaat.ogg}})<ref>{{cite book |last=France |first=John |title=The Crusades and the Expansion of Catholic Christendom, 1000–1714 |year=2005 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=0415371287 |page=380 }}</ref>}} was a [[theocracy|theocratic state]] located along the southeastern shore of the [[Baltic Sea]] in northern Europe. It was formed by the knights of the [[Teutonic Order]] during the early 13th century [[Northern Crusades]] in the region of [[Prussia (region)|Prussia]]. In 1237, the [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword]] merged with the Teutonic Order of Prussia and became known as its branch – the [[Livonian Order]] (while their state, ''[[Terra Mariana]]'', covering present-day [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], and a small part of [[Russia]], became part of the State of the Teutonic Order). At its greatest territorial extent during the early 15th century, the State encompassed [[Chełmno Land]], [[Courland]], [[Gotland]], [[Old Livonia|Livonia]], [[Estonia]], [[Neumark]], [[Pomerelia]] ([[Gdańsk Pomerania]]), Prussia and [[Samogitia]]<!--i.e. territories nowadays located in [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]], [[Russia]], and [[Sweden]]-->.

Following the battles of [[Battle of Grunwald|Grunwald in 1410]] and [[Battle of Wilkomierz|Wilkomierz in 1435]], the State fell into decline. After losing extensive territories in the imposed [[Second Peace of Thorn (1466)|Peace of Thorn]] in 1466, the extant territory of its Prussian branch became known as '''Monastic Prussia''' ({{langx|pl|Prusy zakonne}}) or '''Teutonic Prussia''' ({{langx|pl|Prusy krzyżackie|links=no}}). It existed until 1525 as a [[fiefdom]] of the [[Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Polish Crown]].<ref name="Friedrich2011">{{cite book |last=Friedrich |first=Karin |title=Brandenburg-Prussia, 1466–1806: The Rise of a Composite State |series=Studies in European History |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2011 |page=19-20 |isbn=9780230356962}}</ref> The Livonian branch joined the [[Livonian Confederation]] and continued to exist as part of it until 1561.

== Overview ==
Established in [[Prussia (region)|Prussia]] and the Polish [[Masovia]]n [[Chełmno Land]] in the 13th century, the state expanded mostly as a result of the 13th-century [[Prussian Crusade]] against the pagan [[Baltic Prussians]] and the 14th-century invasions of neighboring Christian countries of Poland and [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]].<ref name=pwn/> The conquests were followed by [[Ostsiedlung|German]] and [[Polish people|Polish]] colonization.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bieszk|first=Janusz|year=2010|title=Zamki Państwa Krzyżackiego|language=pl|location=Warszawa|publisher=Bellona|page=76|isbn=978-8311118089}}</ref> In addition, the [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword]] controlling [[Terra Mariana]] were incorporated into the Teutonic Order as its autonomous branch, the [[Livonian Order]] in 1237.<ref>{{cite book |title=Eastern Europe: An Introduction to the People, Lands, and Culture |last=Frucht |first=Richard C. |year=2005 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=1576078000 |page=69 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lVBB1a0rC70C&pg=PA69 }}</ref> In 1346, the [[Duchy of Estonia (1219–1346)|Duchy of Estonia]] was sold by the [[Monarchy of Denmark|King of Denmark]] for 19,000 [[Cologne mark]]s to the [[Teutonic Order]]. The shift of sovereignty from Denmark to the Teutonic Order took place on 1 November 1346.<ref>{{cite book |title=Danish Medieval History & Saxo Grammaticus |last=Skyum-Nielsen |first=Niels |year=1981 |publisher=Museum Tusculanum Press |isbn=8788073300 |page=129 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EUFCkqua7dUC }}</ref> At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, the Teutonic Order temporarily acquired the territories of [[Gotland]] and [[Neumark]], which, however, it sold in the following decades.

Throughout its history, the Teutonic state waged numerous wars with Poland<ref name=pwn>{{cite web|url=https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/wojny-polsko-krzyzackie;3997560.html|title=wojny polsko-krzyżackie|website=Encyklopedia PWN|access-date=7 November 2020|language=pl}}</ref> and Lithuania, encouraging the two countries to form a close alliance and [[Polish–Lithuanian union|personal union]], which eventually led to the creation of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] in the 16th century. Following its defeat in the [[Battle of Grunwald]] in 1410 the Teutonic Order fell into decline, the region of [[Samogitia]] was restored to [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The later Crusades, 1274–1580 |last=Housley |first=Norman |year=1992 |isbn=0198221363 |page=371 |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQP2F2q9xDkC&pg=PA371 }}</ref>

The Prussian branch of the Teutonic Order returned [[Pomerelia]] (the previously Polish regions of [[Chełmno Land]] and [[Gdańsk Pomerania]]) and ceded the western part of Prussia ([[Warmia]], as well as parts of [[Pomesania]] and [[Pogesania]]) to Poland after the [[Second Peace of Thorn (1466)|Peace of Thorn]] in 1466.{{sfn|Górski|1949|pp=88–92, 206–210}} The territories ceded to the [[Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Polish Crown]] formed the autonomous province of [[Royal Prussia]], while the eastern part remained under Teutonic Order rule,<ref name="Friedrich2011">{{cite book |last=Friedrich |first=Karin |title=Brandenburg-Prussia, 1466–1806: The Rise of a Composite State |series=Studies in European History |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2011 |page=19-20 |isbn=9780230356962}}</ref> known thereafter as the '''Monastic Prussia''' ({{langx|pl|Prusy zakonne}}) or '''Teutonic Prussia''' ({{langx|pl|Prusy krzyżackie}}), as a feudal [[fief]] of the Polish Crown.<ref name="Friedrich2011"/> The [[monasticism|monastic]] state of the Order's main (Prussian) branch was secularized in 1525 during the [[Protestant Reformation]] to become the [[Duchy of Prussia]] ruled by the [[House of Hohenzollern]], remaining a fiefdom of the Polish Crown and later the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]].<ref name="Friedrich2011"/>

The Livonian branch continued as part of the '''[[Livonian Confederation]]''' established in 1422–1435, which became a protectorate of the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] in 1559, and was finally secularised and split into the [[Duchy of Courland and Semigalia]], as well as the [[Duchy of Livonia]] in 1561, both duchies being fiefs of the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]].

== Background ==
===Poles in Old Prussia===
The Old Prussians had withstood many attempts at conquest preceding that of the Teutonic Knights. [[Bolesław I Chrobry|Bolesław I of Poland]] began the series of unsuccessful conquests when he sent [[Adalbert of Prague]] in 997. In 1147, [[Bolesław IV the Curly|Bolesław IV of Poland]] attacked Prussia with the aid of [[Kievan Rus']] but was unable to conquer it. Numerous other attempts followed, and, under Duke [[Konrad I of Masovia]], were intensified, with large battles and crusades in 1209, 1219, 1220 and 1222.<ref name="p45">{{cite book |first=Edward Henry |last=Lewinski Corwin |author-link=Edward Henry Lewinski Corwin |url=https://archive.org/details/politicalhistor00corwgoog |quote=lizard union. |title=The Political History of Poland |year=1917 |publisher=The Polish Book Importing Company |page=[https://archive.org/details/politicalhistor00corwgoog/page/n65 45] }}</ref>

{{History of Brandenburg and Prussia}}
The West Baltic Prussians successfully repelled most of the campaigns and managed to strike Konrad in retaliation. However, the Prussians and the [[Yotvingians]] in the south had their territory conquered. The land of the Yotvingians was situated in the area of what is today the [[Podlaskie Voivodeship]] of Poland. The Prussians attempted to oust Polish or Masovian forces from [[Yotvingia]], which by now was partially conquered, devastated and almost totally depopulated.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Papal edicts===
Konrad of Masovia had already called a crusade against the Old Prussians in 1208, but it was not successful. Konrad, acting on the advice of Christian, first bishop of Prussia, established the [[Order of Dobrzyń]], a small group of 15 knights. The Order, however, was soon defeated and, in reaction, Konrad called on the Pope for yet another crusade and for help from the [[Teutonic Knights]]. As a result, several edicts called for [[crusade]]s against the Old Prussians. The crusades, involving many of Europe's [[knight]]s, lasted for sixty years.

In 1211, [[Andrew II of Hungary]] enfeoffed the Teutonic Knights with the [[Burzenland]]. In 1225, Andrew II expelled the Teutonic Knights from [[Transylvania]], and they had to transfer to the [[Baltic Sea]].

Early in 1224, Emperor [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] announced at [[Catania]] that [[Livonia]], Prussia with [[Sambia]], and a number of neighboring provinces were under [[imperial immediacy]]. This decree subordinated the provinces directly to the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the [[Holy Roman Emperor]] as opposed to being under the jurisdiction of local rulers.

At the end of 1224, [[Pope Honorius III]] announced to all Christendom his appointment of Bishop [[William of Modena]] as the Papal Legate for Livonia, Prussia, and other countries.

As a result of the [[Golden Bull of Rimini]] in 1226 and the Papal [[Bull of Rieti]] of 1234, Prussia came into the Teutonic Order's possession. The Knights began the [[Prussian Crusade]] in 1230. Under their governance, woodlands were cleared and marshlands made arable, upon which many cities and villages were founded, including [[Malbork|Marienburg (Malbork)]] and [[Königsberg]] ([[Kaliningrad]]).

===Cities founded===
Unlike the newly-founded cities between the Rivers [[Elbe]] and [[Oder]], the cities founded by the Teutonic Order had a much more regular, rectangular sketch of streets, indicating their character as planned foundations.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 55">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 55. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> The cities were heavily fortified, accounting for the long lasting conflicts with the resistive native Old Prussians, with armed forces under command of the knights.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 55"/> Most cities were prevailingly populated with immigrants from [[Central Germany (cultural area)|Central Germany]] and [[Silesia]], where many knights of the order had their homelands.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 54">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 54. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>

The cities were usually given [[Magdeburg law]] [[town privileges]], with the one exception of [[Elbing]] (Elbląg), which was founded with the support of [[Free City of Lübeck|Lübeckers]] and thus was awarded [[Lübeck law]].<ref name="Dollinger 1998 55"/> While the Lübeckers provided the Order important logistic support with their ships, they were otherwise, with the exception of Elbing, rather uninvolved in the establishment of the Monastic State.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 55"/>

==History==
{{see also|Terra Mariana#History}}

===13th century===
In 1234, the Teutonic Order assimilated the remaining members of the [[Order of Dobrzyń]] and, in 1237, the Order of the [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword]]. The assimilation of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword (established in [[Livonia]] in 1202) increased the Teutonic Order's lands with the addition of the territories known today as [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].

In 1243, the Papal legate [[William of Modena]] divided Prussia into four [[Diocese|bishoprics]]: [[Bishopric of Culm (Chełmno)|Culm (Chełmno)]], [[Bishopric of Pomesania|Pomesania]], [[Bishopric of Warmia|Ermland (Warmia)]] and [[Bishopric of Samland|Samland (Sambia)]]. The bishoprics became [[suffragan]]s to the [[archbishops of Riga|Archbishopric of Riga]] under the mother city of [[Visby]] on [[Gotland]]. Each diocese was fiscally and administratively divided into one-third reserved for the maintenance of the capitular canons, and two-thirds were where the Order collected the dues. The [[cathedral chapter|cathedral capitular]] [[canon (priest)|canons]] of Culm, Pomesania and Samland were simultaneously members of the [[Teutonic Order]] since the 1280s, ensuring a strong influence by the Order. Only [[Warmia]]'s diocesan chapter maintained independence, enabling to establish its autonomous rule in the capitular third of Warmia's diocesan territory ([[Prince-Bishopric of Warmia]]).
[[File:Teutonic Order 1260.png|thumb|300px|Teutonic state in 1260]]

===14th century===
====Danzig and the Hansa====
At the beginning of the 14th century, the [[Duchy of Pomerania]], a neighboring region, plunged into war with [[Kingdom of Poland (1025–1385)|Poland]] and the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]] to the west. The Teutonic Knights [[Teutonic takeover of Danzig (Gdańsk)|seized the Polish port city of Gdańsk in November 1308]]. The Order had been called by King [[Władysław I the Elbow-high|Władysław I]] of Poland to help repel a Brandenburgian invasion; however, the Teutonic Knights themselves began to occupy the city and the region. The Teutonic Knights then carried out a massacre of the inhabitants of the city. Contemporary scholarship places the estimated number of victims of the massacre at approximately 1,000.<ref name=możejko27>{{cite book
 |editor-last=Możejko
 |editor-first=Beata
 |title=New Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Poland and Prussia: The Impact of Gdańsk
 |date=31 March 2017
 |publisher=Taylor & Francis
 |isbn=9781351805445
 |page=27
 |quote= Current scholarly thinking estimates the number of victims of this massacre at around 1,000 […].
}}</ref> In September 1309, Margrave [[Waldemar, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal|Waldemar]] of Brandenburg-Stendal sold his claim to the territory to the Teutonic Order for the sum of 10,000 Marks in the [[Treaty of Soldin (1309)|Treaty of Soldin]]. This marked the beginning of a series of conflicts between Poland and the Teutonic Knights as the Order continued incorporating territories into its domains.
While the Order promoted the Prussian cities by granting them extended surrounding territory and privileges, establishing courts, civil and commercial law, it allowed the cities less outward independence than [[Free imperial city|free imperial cities]] enjoyed within the [[Holy Roman Empire]].<ref name="Dollinger 1998 54"/><ref name="Dollinger 1998 123">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 123. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>

The members of the [[Hanseatic League]] did consider merchants from Prussian cities as their like, but also accepted the ''Grand Master''<ref>in German: ''Hochmeister'', literally "High Master".</ref> of the Order as the sole territorial ruler representing Prussia at their Hanseatic [[Diet (assembly)|Diets]].<ref name="Dollinger 1998 55"/> Thus Prussian merchants, along with those from [[Ditmarsh]], were the only beneficiaries of a quasi membership within the Hansa, although lacking the background of citizenship in a fully autonomous or free city.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 124">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 124. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> Only merchants from the six Prussian Hanseatic cities of [[Braunsberg]] (Braniewo), [[Chełmno|Culm]] (Chełmno), [[Danzig]] (Gdańsk), [[Elbing]] (Elbląg), Königsberg and [[Toruń|Thorn]] (Toruń) were considered fully fledged members of the league, while merchants from other Prussian cities had a lesser status.<ref>Cf. Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 123. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>

[[File:Battle of Płowce 1331.PNG|thumb|300px|The [[Battle of Płowce]] (1331) was a major battle of the [[Polish–Teutonic War (1326–1332)|Second Polish–Teutonic War]] (19th-century painting by [[Juliusz Kossak]])]]
The Teutonic Order's annexation and possession of Gdańsk (Danzig) and the surrounding region was consistently disputed by the Polish kings [[Władysław I the Elbow-high|Władysław I]] and [[Casimir III the Great]] – claims that led to the [[Polish–Teutonic War (1326–1332)]] and, eventually, lawsuits in the papal court in 1320 and 1333, which ruled in favor of Poland, however, the Teutonic Knights did not comply and continued to occupy the annexed Polish territories.<ref name=pwn/> The Teutonic Knights even invaded Poland further and briefly occupied the regions of [[Kuyavia]] and [[Dobrzyń Land]].<ref name=pwn/> A peace was concluded at [[Treaty of Kalisz (1343)|Kalisz in 1343]], Kuyavia and Dobrzyń Land were restored to Poland, and the Teutonic Order agreed that Poland should rule Pomerelia as a [[fief]] and Polish kings, therefore, retained the right to the title ''Duke of Pomerania''. The title referred to the Duchy of Pomerelia. Unlike in English, German, Latin or Lithuanian language Polish uses the term ''Pomorze'' for Pomerania (a fief of Poland, Saxony and Denmark in the [[High Middle Ages]], and first briefly in 1181, but since 1227 a permanent fief within the Holy Roman Empire) and Pomerelia alike. Both duchies were earlier ruled by related dynasties, thus the semantic title was Duke of Pomerania rather than Duke of Pomerelia, as it was referred to in other languages.

====Second Danish-Hanseatic War====
In the [[Second Danish-Hanseatic War|conflict between the Hanse and Denmark]] on the trade in the Baltic, King [[Valdemar IV of Denmark]] had held the Hanseatic city of [[Valdemar Atterdag holding Visby to ransom, 1361|Visby to ransom in 1361]].<ref name="Dollinger 1998 96">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 96. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> However, the members of the Hanseatic league were undecided whether to unite against him.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 97">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 97. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> But when Valdemar IV then captured Prussian merchant ships in the [[Øresund]] on their way to [[Kingdom of England|England]], Grand Master [[Winrich of Kniprode]] travelled to [[Lübeck]] to propose a war alliance against Denmark, accepted with some reluctance only by the important cities forming the Wendish-[[Lower Saxon Circle|Saxon]] third of the Hanse.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 98">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 98. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>

Since Valdemar IV had also attacked ships of the Dutch city of [[Kampen, Overijssel|Kampen]] and other destinations in the [[Zuiderzee]], Prussia and Dutch cities, such as Kampen, [[Elburg]] and [[Harderwijk]], allied themselves against Denmark.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 98"/> This resulted in the Hansa calling up a diet in [[Cologne]] in 1367 and convening the afore-mentioned non-member cities including [[Amsterdam]] and [[Brielle]]. The upshot was the founding of the [[Confederation of Cologne|Cologne Federation]] as a war alliance to counter the Danish threat.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 99">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 99. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> More cities, from the Lower Rhine area in the west to Livonia in the east, joined.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 99"/>

Of the major players only [[Bremen]] and [[Hamburg]] refused to send forces, but contributed financially.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 100">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 100. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> Besides Prussia, three more territorial partners, [[Counts of Schauenburg and Holstein|Henry II of Schauenburg and Holstein-Rendsburg]], [[Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg|Albert II of Mecklenburg]], and the latter's son [[Albert, King of Sweden|Albert of Sweden]], joined the alliance, attacking via land and sea, forcing Denmark to sign the [[Treaty of Stralsund (1370)|Treaty of Stralsund]] in 1370.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 100"/> Several Danish castles and fortresses were then taken by Hansa forces for fifteen years in order to secure the implementation of the peace conditions.

====English Merchant Adventurers====
The invasions of the Teutonic Order from Livonia to [[Pskov]] in 1367 had caused the Russians to recoup themselves on Hansa merchants in [[Novgorod Republic|Novgorod]], which again made the Order block exports of salt and herring into Russia.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 109seq">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, pp. 109 seq. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>{{sfn|Dollinger|1999|p=77|loc="As early as 1367, when the knights ravaged the region of Pskov, Novgorod arrested German merchants, a step which led to reprisals against Russian merchants in Livonia. The Order forbade the export of salt and herring into Russia, a prohibition which the Hansa likewise enjoined."}} While the relations had eased by 1371 so that trade resumed, they soured again until 1388.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 110">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 110. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> The blockade of English and Flemish imports to Russia interrupted Novgorod's trade and the Hansa negotiated with the Order to prevent any supplies from reaching Russia.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 109seq"/> Although the blockade was not strictly enforced, it led to the signing of a treaty in 1392 which guaranteed the safety and freedom of Hanseatic merchants.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 109seq"/>

During the [[Lithuanian Crusade]] of 1369–1370, ending with the Teutonic victory in the [[Battle of Rudau]], Prussia enjoyed considerable support from English knights.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 104">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 104. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> The Order welcomed English [[Company of Merchant Adventurers of London|Merchant Adventurers]], starting to cruise in the Baltic, competing with Dutch, Saxon and Wendish Hanseatic merchants, and allowed them to open outposts in its cities of Danzig and Elbing.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 103seq">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, pp. 103 seq. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> This necessarily brought about a conflict with the rest of the Hansa, which was in a heavy argument with [[Richard II of England]], over levies of higher dues. The Merchants struggled to achieve an unsatisfactory compromise.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 104"/>

Dissatisfied Richard II's navy suddenly attacked six Prussian ships in May 1385 – and those of more Hanse members – in the [[Zwin]],<ref name="Dollinger 1998 105">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 105. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> Grand Master [[Conrad Zöllner von Rothenstein]] immediately terminated all trade with England.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 105"/> When in the same year the Hansa evacuated all their Danish castles in fulfillment of the Treaty of Stralsund, Prussia argued in favour of a renewal of the Cologne Federation for the deeply concerned about the ensuing conflict with England, but could not prevail.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 102">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 102. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>

The cities preferred to negotiate and take retaliatory actions, such as counter-confiscation of English merchandise.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 105"/> So when in 1388 Richard II finally reconfirmed the Hanseatic trade privileges, Prussia once again permitted merchant adventurers, granting permissions to remain; for this action they were renounced once again by the Grand Master [[Conrad of Jungingen]] in 1398.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 105"/>

In the conflict with the [[Duchy of Burgundy|Burgundian]] [[Philip the Bold]] on the Hansa privileges in the [[Flanders|Flemish]] cities the positions of the Hanseatic cities and Prussia were again reversed. Here the majority of the Hansa members decided in the Hanseatic Diet on 1 May 1388 for an [[embargo]] against the Flemish cities.  Meanwhile, Prussia could not prevail with its plea for further negotiations.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 107">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 107. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref>

====Trading====
The Order's ''Großschäffer'' was one of the leading functionaries of the order. The word translates roughly as "chief sales and buying officer" with procuration. This officer was in charge of the considerable commerce, import, export, crediting, real estate investment etc., which the Order carried out, using its network of [[bailiwick]]s and agencies which spanned much of Central, Western and Southern Europe as well as the Holy Land. The other Großschäffer in Marienburg had the grain export monopoly. As to imports, neither was bound to any particular merchandise. From Königsberg, holding the monopoly in [[amber]] export, achieved the exceptional permission to continue amber exports to Flanders and textile imports in return.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 108">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 108. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> On the occasion of the ban on Flemish trade, the Hansa urged Prussia and Livonia again to interrupt the exchange with Novgorod as well, but with both blockades Russian and Flemish commodities could not reach their final destinations.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 110"/> In 1392 it was Grand Master [[Conrad of Wallenrode]] who supported the Flemish to achieve an acceptable agreement with the Hansa resuming the bilateral trade;<ref name="Dollinger 1998 108"/> while a Hanseatic delegation under [[Johann Niebur]] reopened trade with Novgorod in the same year, after reconfirmation of the previous mutual privileges.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 110"/>

Since the late 1380s grave [[piracy]] by [[privateer]]s, promoted by [[Albert, King of Sweden|Albert of Sweden and Mecklenburg]] actually directed against [[Margaret I of Denmark]], blocked seafaring to the herring supplies at the [[Scania Market]]; thus fish prices tripled in Prussia.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 113">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 113. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> The Saxon Hansa cities urged Prussia to intervene, but Conrad of Jungingen was more worried about a Danish victory.<ref name="Dollinger 1998 113"/> So only after the cities, led by Lübeck's burgomaster [[Hinrich Westhof]], had liaised{{clarify|date=August 2023}} the [[Treaty of Skanör]] (1395), Albert's defeat manifested{{clarify|date=August 2023}}, so that Prussia finally sent out its ships, led by Danzig's city councillor [[Conrad Letzkau]].<ref name="Borzestowska / Borzestowski 2005">[https://www.trojmiasto.pl/wiadomosci/news.php?id_news=17395 Natalia Borzestowska and Waldemar Borzestowski, "Dlaczego zginął burmistrz"], 17 October 2005, retrieved on 8 September 2011.</ref><ref name="Dollinger 1998 114">Philippe Dollinger, ''Die Hanse'' [La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles); German], [[#References|see references]] for bibliographical details, p. 114. {{ISBN|3-520-37105-7}}.</ref> Until 1400 the united Teutonic-Hanseatic [[flotilla]] then thoroughly cleared the Baltic Sea of pirates, the [[Victual Brothers]], and even took the island of [[Gotland]] in 1398.<ref name="Borzestowska / Borzestowski 2005"/><ref name="Dollinger 1998 114"/>

{| class=wikitable
|+Commodity selling prices of Teutonic Order in Prussian Marks, 1400<ref>W.Bonhke, Der Binnenhandel des Deutschen Ordens in Preusen, in Hansische Geschichtsblatter, 80 (1962), pp. 51–53</ref><br/>{{Quantify|reason=This is meaningless without stating the quantity of these commodities that could be bought for these prices.|date=January 2024}}
|Saffron||7040||Hungarian iron||21
|-
|Ginger||1040||Trave salt<br/>{{clarify|date=August 2023}}||12.5
|-
|Pepper||640||Herring||12
|-
|Wax||237.5||Flemish salt||8
|-
|French wine||109.5||Wismar beer||7.5
|-
|Rice||80||Flour||7.5
|-
|Steel||75||Wheat||7
|-
|Rhenish wine||66||Rye||5.75
|-
|Oil||60|||Barley||4.2
|-
|Honey||35||Ash woad||4.75
|-
|Butter||30
|}

===15th century===
[[File:Teutonic Order 1410.png|thumb|300px|Teutonic state in 1410]]

====Konrad von Jungingen====
At the beginning of the 15th century, the State of the Teutonic Order stood at the height of its power under [[Konrad von Jungingen|Konrad (Conrad) von Jungingen]]. The Teutonic navy ruled the Baltic Sea from bases in Prussia and Gotland, and the Prussian cities provided tax revenues sufficient to maintain a significant standing force composed of Teutonic Knights proper, their retinues, Prussian peasant levies, and German mercenaries.

In 1402, the [[Luxembourg dynasty]], which ruled the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]], reached an agreement with Poland in [[Kraków]], according to which Poland was to purchase and re-incorporate the region of [[New March|New March (Neumark)]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rogalski|first=Leon|year=1846|title=Dzieje Krzyżaków oraz ich stosunki z Polską, Litwą i Prussami, poprzedzone rysem dziejów wojen krzyżowych|volume=II|language=pl|location=Warszawa|pages=59–60}}</ref> Later that year, however, the Luxembourgs gave the region in pawn to the Teutonic Order despite prior arrangements with Poland, and the Order kept it until Brandenburg redeemed it again in 1454 and 1455, respectively, by the [[Treaties of Cölln and Mewe]]. Though the possession of this territory by the Order strengthened ties between the Order and their secular counterparts in northern Germany, it exacerbated the already hostile relationship between the Order and [[Polish–Lithuanian union]].

In March 1407, Konrad died from complications caused by [[gallstone]]s and was succeeded by his younger brother, [[Ulrich von Jungingen]]. Under Ulrich, the Teutonic State fell from its precarious height and became mired in internal political strife, near-constant war with Polish–Lithuanian union, and crippling war debts.

====Losses to Poland, Polish suzerainty====
[[File:Jan Matejko, Bitwa pod Grunwaldem.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Battle of Grunwald]] (1410) marked the start of decline of the State of the Teutonic Order (19th-century painting by [[Jan Matejko]])]]
In 1408, Conrad Letzkau served as a diplomat to Queen Margaret I and arranged that the Order sell Gotland to Denmark.<ref name="Borzestowska / Borzestowski 2005"/> In 1409, the Teutonic Order invaded Poland's Dobrzyń Land again, and the [[Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War]] broke out,<ref name=pwn/> in which the Teutonic Knights were supported by the [[Duchy of Pomerania]], and the [[Pact of Vilnius and Radom|Polish-Lithuanian alliance]] was supported by [[Ruthenia]]n, [[Tatars|Tatar]] and [[Moldavia]]n allies and auxiliary forces. Poland and Lithuania triumphed following a victory at the [[Battle of Grunwald]] ([[Stębark|Tannenberg]]), which marked the start of the decline of the State of the Teutonic Order, and the rise of the Polish–Lithuanian union as a major power in [[Central and Eastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite book| first=Sven |last=Ekdahl |chapter=The Battle of Tannenberg-Grunwald-Žalgiris (1410) as reflected in Twentieth-Century monuments| editor=Victor Mallia-Milanes |title=The Military Orders: History and Heritage |volume=3 |publisher= Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |year=2008 |isbn= 978-0-7546-6290-7 |page=175|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dSM_w4Q1sUwC&pg=PA175}}</ref>

The Order assigned [[Heinrich von Plauen]] to defend Teutonic-held Eastern Pomerania ([[Pomerelia]]), who moved rapidly to bolster the defence of [[Malbork Castle|Marienburg Castle]] in [[Pomesania]]. Heinrich von Plauen was elected vice-grand master and led the Teutonic Knights through the [[Siege of Marienburg (1410)|Siege of Marienburg in 1410]]. Eventually von Plauen was promoted to Grand Master and, in 1411, concluded the [[Peace of Thorn (1411)|First Treaty of Thorn]] with King [[Władysław II Jagiełło]] of Poland.

The next major [[Polish–Teutonic War (1431–1435)|Polish–Teutonic war]] was fought in 1431–1435, after the Teutonic Knights invaded Poland again, and was ended in the [[Peace of Brześć Kujawski]], which was favorable for Poland.<ref name=pwn/>

In March 1440, gentry (mainly from [[Culmerland]]) and the Hanseatic cities of Danzig, [[Elbing]], [[Kneiphof]], [[Toruń|Thorn]] and other Prussian cities founded the [[Prussian Confederation]] to free themselves from the overlordship of the Teutonic Knights. Due to the heavy losses and costs after the [[Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War|war against Poland and Lithuania]], the Teutonic Order collected taxes at steep rates. Furthermore, the cities were not allowed due representation by the Teutonic Order.

[[File:The Second Peace of Thorn2.jpg|thumb|left|The Polish–Teutonic peace treaty of 1466 made the Teutonic state a [[fief]] of the [[Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)|Kingdom of Poland]]]]
In February 1454, the Prussian Confederation asked King [[Casimir IV of Poland]] to support their revolt and to incorporate the region into the [[Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)|Kingdom of Poland]]. King Casimir IV agreed and signed the act of incorporation in [[Kraków]] on 6 March 1454.{{sfn|Górski|1949|p=54}} The [[Thirteen Years' War (1454–1466)|Thirteen Years' War]], the longest of the Polish–Teutonic wars, (also known as the ''War of the Cities'') broke out. Various cities of the region pledged allegiance to the Polish King in 1454.{{sfn|Górski|1949|pp=71–72, 76, 79}}

The [[Second Peace of Thorn (1466)|Second Peace of Thorn]] in October 1466 ended the war and provided for the Teutonic Order's cession of its rights over the western half of its territories to the Polish Kingdom, which became the autonomous province of [[Royal Prussia]].<ref name="Friedrich2011"/> The remaining part of the Order's land became a [[fief]] of the [[Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Polish Crown]].<ref name="Friedrich2011"/> In accordance to the peace treaty, from now on, every Grand Master was obliged to swear an oath of allegiance to the reigning Polish king within six months of taking office, and any new territorial acquisitions by the Teutonic Order, also outside of Prussia, would also be under the suzerainty of Poland.{{sfn|Górski|1949|pp=96–97, 215}} The [[Grand Master of the Teutonic Order]] became a prince and counselor of the Polish king and the Kingdom of Poland.{{sfn|Górski|1949|pp=96, 103, 214, 221}} 

These legal dependencies on the Polish Crown restricted the Order's scope for action. At the end of the 15th century, the political situation appeared hopeless for the Order and the Archbishop of Gniezno even suggested appointing the Polish king as Grand Master in personal union. The Order sought to loosen these shackles by beginning to bestow the title of Grand Master on German princes. This tactical move was intended to secure stronger support from the [[Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation|German empire]] and hopefully curb the claims and influence of the Polish king. In 1498, [[Frederick of Saxony (Teutonic Knight)|Duke Frederick of Saxony]] became the first [[Prince_of_the_Holy_Roman_Empire|imperial prince]] to be elected Grand Master. He succeeded in improving relations with [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|German Emperor Maximilian]] and refused to swear allegiance to the Polish king.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Peter|last=Paziorek|title=Vor 500 Jahren: Vom Großmeister zum weltlichen Landesherrn - Die Staatswerdung Preußens 1525|journal=Westpreußen|volume =2 (77)|issue=Sommer 2025|pages=16-18}}</ref>

[[Image:Teutonic Order 1466.png|thumb|right|300px|Teutonic state in 1466]]

====Formation of a new nobility====
While the Knights of the Teutonic Order formed a thin ruling class by themselves, they extensively used mercenaries, mostly German, from the Holy Roman Empire, to whom they granted lands in return. This gradually created a new class of landed nobility. Due to several factors, among which was the high rate of early death in battle, these lands became concentrated over time in the hands of a relatively small number of noblemen each having a vast estate. This nobility would evolve to what is known as the [[Junker (Prussia)|Prussian Junker nobility]].<ref>Rosenberg, H. (1943). "The Rise of the Junkers in Brandenburg-Prussia, 1410–1653: Part 1." ''The American Historical Review'', 49(1), 1–22.</ref>

===16th century and aftermath===
====Transformation to Ducal Prussia====
During the [[Protestant Reformation]], endemic religious upheavals and wars occurred across the region. In 1525, during the aftermath of the [[Polish-Teutonic War (1519–1521)]], [[Sigismund I the Old]], King of Poland, and his nephew, the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, [[Albert, Duke of Prussia|Albert of Brandenburg-Ansbach]], a member of a cadet branch of the [[House of Hohenzollern]], agreed that the latter would resign his position, adopt [[Lutheranism|Lutheran faith]] and assume the title of [[Duke of Prussia]]. Thereafter referred to as ''[[Ducal Prussia]]'' ({{langx|de|Herzogliches Preußen, Preußen Herzoglichen Anteils}}; {{langx|pl|Prusy Książęce}}), remaining a Polish fief.

[[File:Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice, 2022, 07.jpg|300px|left|thumb|The [[Prussian Homage]] of 1525 established [[Ducal Prussia]] as a vassal duchy of the Kingdom of Poland, in place of the State of the Teutonic Order]]
Thus in a deal partially brokered by [[Martin Luther]], [[Roman Catholic]] Teutonic Prussia was transformed into the [[Duchy of Prussia]], the first Protestant state. Sigismund's consent was bound to Albert's submission to Poland, which became known as the [[Prussian Homage]]. On 10 December 1525 at their session in Königsberg the [[Prussian estates]] established the [[Lutheran]] Church in Ducal Prussia by deciding the [[Church Order (Lutheran)|Church Order]].<ref name="Juška 1997 2-Reformatorische Anfänge">Albertas Juška, ''Mažosios Lietuvos Bažnyčia XVI–XX amžiuje'', Klaipėda: 1997, pp. 742–771, here after the German translation [http://www.liuteronai.lt/Istorija-ir-teologija/Baznycios-istorija/Die-Kirche-in-Klein-Litauen ''Die Kirche in Klein Litauen''] (section: 2. Reformatorische Anfänge; {{in lang|de}}) on: [http://www.liuteronai.lt/eng ''Lietuvos Evangelikų Liuteronų Bažnyčia''], retrieved on 28 August 2011.</ref>

The [[Habsburg]]-led Holy Roman Empire continued to hold its claim to Prussia and furnished grand masters of the Teutonic Order, who were merely titular administrators of Prussia, but managed to retain many of the Teutonic holdings elsewhere outside of Prussia.

==Administrative Divisions==
===Prussia===
====Commanderies====
[[Image:Preussen verw.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Subdvisions of the Teutonic state in Prussia]]

The territory of the State of the Teutonic Order in Prussia was divided in Commanderies (''Komturei'' or ''Kommenden''). Large Commanderies were also subdivided in Bailiwicks (''Vogteien'') and Caretaker Departments (''Pflegeämter'').
{| class="wikitable"
|+ class="hintergrundfarbe5"| Commanderies of Teutonic Prussia
|-
| [[Starogród Górny|Althaus]] || [[Balga]] || [[Zamek Bierzgłowski|Birgelau]]|| [[Ushakovo, Novomoskovsky Rural Okrug, Guryevsky District, Kaliningrad Oblast|Brandenburg]] || [[Nowe Miasto Lubawskie|Brattian]]
|-
| [[Christburg]] || [[Danzig]] || [[Elbing]] || [[Pokrzywno, Grudziądz County|Engelsburg]] || [[Golub-Dobrzyń|Gollub]]
|-
| [[Graudenz]] || [[Königsberg]] || [[Kulm]] || [[Starogard Gdański|Lippinken]] || [[Malbork|Marienburg]]
|-
| [[Klaipėda|Memel]] || [[Gniew|Mewe]] || [[Nessau]] || [[Ostróda|Osterode]] || [[Papowo Biskupie|Papau]]
|-
| [[Ragnit]] || [[Radzyń Chełmiński|Rehden]] || [[Ryn|Rhein]] || [[Rogóźno, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship|Roggenhausen]] || [[Schlochau]]
|-
| [[Pieniężno|Schönsee]] || [[Świecie|Schwetz]] || [[Brodnica|Strasburg]] || [[Toruń|Thorn]] || [[Tuchola|Tuchel]]
|}

====Dioceses====
The bishoprics of Prussia were established in 1243, under the archbishopric of [[Riga]]. In the 1280s, the Order succeeded in imposing the simultaneous membership of all capitular [[canon (priest)|canons]] in the Order, except of [[Prince-Bishopric of Warmia|Warmia]]; thus influencing the affairs of the dioceses and in the capitular election of the bishops.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ class="hintergrundfarbe5"| Dioceses of Teutonic Prussia
|-
!Diocese||Diocese see||[[Hochstift|Episcopal Residence]]
|-
|[[Diocese of Samland|Diocese of Samland (Sambia)]]||[[Königsberg]]||[[Primorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast|Fischhausen]]
|-
|[[Prince-Bishopric of Warmia|Diocese of Ermland (Warmia)]]||[[Frombork|Frauenburg]]/[[Olsztyn|Allenstein]]||[[Lidzbark Warmiński|Heilsberg]]
|-
|[[Diocese of Pomesania|Diocese of Pomesanien (Pomesania)]]||[[Kwidzyn|Marienwerder]]||[[Prabuty|Riesenburg]]
|-
|[[Diocese of Kulm]]||[[Chełmża|Kulmsee]]||[[Lubawa|Löbau]]
|-
|}

===Livonia===
The structure of the Livonian Confederation was formed with the territories of Teutonic Knights, four ecclesiastical territories and the Free City of Riga, which had its own government.

The territories of the Teutonic knights in Livonia, were divided in Commanderies (''Komtureien'') and Bailiwicks (''Vogteien'').

[[Image:Livonia in 1534 (English).png|thumb|right|320px|The Livonian Confederation in 1534]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+ class="hintergrundfarbe5"| Size of the Livonian territories
|-
|Teutonic Knights || 67.000 km²
|-
|[[Archbishopric of Riga]]|| 19.000 km²
|- 
|[[Bishopric of Dorpat]]||9.600 km²
|-
|[[Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek]]||7.600 km²
|-
|[[Bishopric of Courland]]||4.600 km²
|-
|[[Free City of Riga]]||800 km²
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ class="hintergrundfarbe5"| Commanderies
|-
| [[Tallinn|Reval]] || [[Paide|Jerwen]] || [[Pärnu|Pernau]]
|-
| [[Viljandi|Fellin]] || [[Puurmani|Talkhof]] || [[Alūksne|Marienburg]]
|-
| [[Sigulda|Segewold]] || [[Daugavgrīva|Dünamünde]] || [[Aizkraukle|Ascheraden]]
|-
| [[Daugavpils|Dünaburg]] || [[Bauska|Bauske]] || [[Jelgava|Mitau]]
|-
| [[Dobele|Doblen]] || [[Kuldīga|Goldingen]] || [[Ventspils|Windau]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ class="hintergrundfarbe5"| Bailiwicks
|-
| [[Soneburg]] || [[Tallinn|Reval]] || [[Narva|Narwa]]
|-
| [[Rakvere|Wesenberg]] || [[Vasknarva|Neuschloss]] || [[Karksi|Karkhus]]
|-
| [[Sēlpils|Selburg]] || [[Rēzekne|Rositten]] || [[Kandava|Kandau]]
|-
| [[Grobiņa|Grobin]] || ||
|}

===Temporary acquisitions===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Duchy of Wizna]]||style="text-align:right"| 1382–1401
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Gotland]] ||style="text-align:right"|1398–1408
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Dobrzyń Land|Duchy of Dobrzyń]] ||style="text-align:right"|1329–1343; 1392–1405; 1409–1411
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Samogitia]] ||style="text-align:right"|1398–1411
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Neumark]] ||style="text-align:right"|1402–1455
|}
==Archaeology==
Fortifications of the Teutonic State have been examined through archaeological excavation since the end of [[World War II]], especially those built or expanded during the 14th century. Fortifications are generally the best preserved material legacy of the Order's presence in the Baltic today, and timber and earth, as well as brick examples, are attested in the archaeological record.

The earliest castles in the Teutonic State consisted of simple buildings attached to a fortified enclosure, and the [[Quadrangular castle|quadrangular red-brick structure]] would come to typify convent buildings, single-wing castles would continue to be built alongside timber towers.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Archaeology of the Prussian Crusade: Holy War and Colonization|last=Pluskowski|first=Aleksander|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|pages=149}}</ref> Where they followed the conventional layout, castles included a connected set of communal spaces such as a dormitory, refectory, kitchen, chapter house, a chapel or church, an infirmary, and tower projecting over the moat.

===Marienburg fort===
Construction began on Marienburg during the third quarter of the 13th century, and work continued on it until the mid-15th century. A settlement developed alongside the castle, which together enclosed 25 hectares. Granted town rights in 1286, its castle is larger than any other built by the Order. Since 1997, the [[outer bailey]] has been thoroughly excavated and dates to the mid-1350s. Preserved at Marienburg was a polychrome statue of Mary about 8 m high, made of artificial stone and originally decorated with mosaic tiles. Sinc Mary was the most important patron of the knights and central to the liturgy of the Teutonic Order, it is not surprising to find such striking representations of her at its most prominent castle.

===Coins===
Coins were minted from the late 1250s. They were often simple in design, stamped with the cross of the Order on one side, but support the notion that crusading, colonisation, and a supporting infrastructure went hand in hand from the earliest years of the Prussian Crusade.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Archaeology of the Prussian Crusade: Holy War and Colonization|last=Pluskowski|first=Aleksander|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|pages=110}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Ostsiedlung]]
*[[Prussia]]
*[[War of the Priests (Poland)]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|2}}

== References ==
* {{cite book|first=Philippe|last=Dollinger|title=Die Hanse (La Hanse (XII<sup>e</sup>–XVII<sup>e</sup> siècles, Paris, Aubier, 1964)| language=de|orig-year=1966|editor=Hans Krabusch and Marga Krabusch (trls.)|place=Stuttgart: Kröner|date=1998|publisher=Kröners Taschenbuchausgabe|volume=371|isbn=3-520-37105-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dollinger |first1=Philippe |title=The German Hansa |date=1999 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-19073-2 |page=77 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_German_Hansa/UOlQuaYvBu8C |language=en |quote=}}
* * {{Cite book|last=Pluskowski|first=Aleksander|title=The Archaeology of the Prussian Crusade: Holy War and Colonization|location=London|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|isbn=978-0415691710}}
* {{Cite book|last=Górski|first=Karol|title=Związek Pruski i poddanie się Prus Polsce: zbiór tekstów źródłowych|year=1949 |publisher=Instytut Zachodni|location=[[Poznań]]|language=pl,la}}

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline|State of the Teutonic Order}}
* [https://www.ordensland.de/ Ordensland.de]: cities, castles and landscapes of the Teutonic Knights {{in lang|de}}
* [https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Religious_Organizations.html#Teutonic Teutonic Order] (at worldstatesmen)

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