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Teutonic Order State

Type Object Region Baltic Sea Time 1230–1525

A military-religious sovereign entity founded by the Teutonic Order on the eastern Baltic coast in the 13th century.…

Timeline

  1. 1230Rieti (place of papal bull's issuance) · ItalyPope Gregory IX issued the Golden Bull of Rieti, authorizing the Teutonic Order to missionize among the pagans of Prussia and to use force, laying the canon-law foundation for the Order's establishment of independent territories in Eastern Europe.
  2. 1237–1242Livonia · LivoniaThe Teutonic Order absorbed the remnants of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, extending its power to the eastern Baltic coast and forming a two-winged expansion pattern spanning Prussia and Livonia, with its castle network spreading rapidly.
  3. 1241–1250Prussian interior · PrussiaAs the Mongol conquests reached Poland, the Order continued its conquest of the Prussian tribes, building castles, bringing in German colonists, and beginning to transform military occupation into a sustainable ecclesiastical-secular ruling structure.
  4. 1260–1309Marienburg (Malbork Castle) · PrussiaThe Order established a three-tier system of Grand Master, regional commanders, and castle garrisons. After the Grand Master's residence moved to Marienburg, the Prussian lands became a de facto sovereign Order-state, contending with Poland and Lithuania over the long term.

Sources