The history of Poland. vol. 2 in several letters to persons of quality, giving an account of the antient and present state of that kingdom, historical, geographical, physical, political and ecclesiastical ... : with sculptures, and a new map after the best geographers : with several letters relating to physick / by Bern. Connor ... who, in his travels in that country, collected these memoirs from the best authors and his own observations ; publish'd by the care and assistance of Mr. Savage.

LETTER VIII.

To the Right Honourable CHARLES Earl of Burlington.

Of the Origin of the Teutonic Order, and the Succession of all its Great-Masters in the Holy-Land, Prussia, and Germany, together with its present State in the Empire.

MY LORD,

DR. Connor having design'd this Letter for your Lordship's Entertainment, and not having had leisure to accomplish it himself, by reason of the urgency of his Profession, desired of me to Address it for him; but up∣on a just Reflection on the meanness of my Abilities, and an awful Regard to your Lordship's Grandeur, I found I had more than ordinary reason to decline it: Yet, however, upon balancing your goodness with your great Quality, and considering my well meaning at the same time with my attempt, I hop'd I might not be so unfortunate as to Offend if I undertook it, and the rather, because of the great conformity which the subject I were to write of, had with the hopes which the Na∣tion has in you.

My LORD,

Your Lordship will here find, that this Order was first founded to reward and encourage Great Actions, and that particularly in the Ger∣man Nation, whence it came to have the Title of Teutonic; for when the Emperour Frederic Barbe∣rossa had engaged in the Crusade for recovery of the Holy-Land, a great number of German Nobility and Gentry joyn'd his Army as Vo∣lunteers. Of this Crusade were several other great Princes of Europe, such as Philip King of France; Richard I. King of England; Frederic Duke of Suabia; the Dukes of Austria and Bavaria; Philip Earl of Flanders; Plorant Earl of Holland, &c. After this Emperor's Death, the Germans being before Acon, or Ptolemais which they then besieged, chose for their Leaders Frederick Duke of Suabia, second Son to the aforesaid Emperour; and Henry Duke of Bra∣bant. Under these Generals they behav'd themselves so well, both at the taking of Acon, Jerusalem, and other places of the Holy-Land, that Henry King of Jerusalem, the Patriarch, and several other Princes, thought themselves oblig'd to do something extraordinary in honour of the German Nation. Hereupon they immediately resolv'd to erect an Order of Knights of that Nation, under the prote∣ction of St. George, but afterwards they chan∣g'd that Saint for the Virgin Mary, by reason that she had an Hospital already founded on Mount Sion at Jerusalem for the relief of Ger∣man Pilgrims, of the manner of building which, Ashmole, in his Order of the Garter gives this following account.

He says, that in the time of the Holy-War, a wealthy Gentleman of Germany, who dwelt at Jerusalem, commiserating the condition of his Countrymen coming thither on Devotion, and neither understanding the language of that place, nor knowing where to lodge, receiv'd them hospitably into his House, and gave them all manner of suitable Entertainment. Afterwards obtaining leave of the Patriarch, he erected a Chappel for them, and Dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, whence the Knights that were established there afterwards, came to have the Title of Equites Mariani. Other German Gentlemen contributed largely to the maintaining and encreasing this Charitable Work, insomuch, that in a short time these Knights became very numerous and wealthy, and gave themselves to Military Employments, and to acts of Piety and Charity.

In the Year 1190 they elected their first Great Master, Henry Walpot, and in the Year following had their Order confirm'd, upon the request of the Emperour Henry VI. by the Rull of Pope Celestine III. under the Title of Teutonic, or Dutch Knights, of the Hospi∣tal of St. Mary the Virgin, vowing Poverty, Obedience, and Chastity, and obliging them∣selves to receive none but Germans into their Order.

After they had thus receiv'd Confirmation from the Papal See, some rich Citizens of Breme and Lubeck joyning with them, and making large Contributions, another Hospi∣tal was erected for them in the City of Acon, or Ptolemais in Syria. But after that City, to∣gether

with Jerusalem, and all the Holy-Land had been taken by the Sarazens, under the Command of Saladin, having been in the possession of the Christians for more than 87 Years before. One Hermannus, then Great Master, with the remaining Knights, remov∣ed into Germany, on whom the Emperor Fre∣deric XI. and Pope Honorius III. (or as some will have it, Conrade, Duke of Masovia in 1226) in the Year 1229 bestow'd the Pro∣vince of Prussia, where having Conquer'd that Nation, and reduc'd it from Paganism to Christianity, they built the City of Marien∣burg, or Mary-Town; and in the Year 1340, fix'd the Residence of their Great Masters there.

This Country they enjoy'd till about the Year 1525, when Albert, Marquess of Bran∣denburg, the last Great Master of this Order, by a Solemn Renunciation became Feudatory to Sigismund King of Poland, who rais'd Prussia to a Dukedom, and made this Marquess first Duke thereof; but however, some of the Knights disliking this Action, proceeded to Elect another Great Master, which was Walter de Cronberg, and forthwith leaving Prussia, seated themselves in Germany, where they con∣tinue at this day, tho' in no great Reputation, except, that the younger Sons of the German Princes are commonly admitted of their Or∣der.

Their Statutes were compos'd after the Mo∣del of those of the Knights Hospitallers, and Knights Templars, at this day the Knights of Malta; but nevertheless, to distinguish them from these Orders, their Habit was ordain'd to be a white Mantle, with a plain black Cross

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

on the Breast, tho' others will have it to have been a black Cross Voided with a Cross-Potence. This Cross they were also to have upon white Banners, as likewise upon their Shields, and in their Coats of Arms: They were more∣over enjoyn'd to live conformable to the Or∣der and Rules of St. Austin. Their first num∣ber was 24 Lay-Brothers, and 7 Priests; yet Heysse, in his History of the Empire, Tome I. says, they were at first 40. They both were allow'd to wear Armour and Swords, and might Celebrate Mass in that Habit. None of them shav'd their Beards, but by their Order were oblig'd to let them grow, and to sleep upon sacks of Straw: But however, this, with their other primitive Injunctions soon vanish'd.

This order being establish'd after the man∣ner as we have shew'd before, all Christian Princes endeavour'd to give them encourage∣ment; and among the rest, the Pope and Em∣peror gave them particular proofs of their Favour and Liberality. Philip King of France also being willing to do the like on his part, made them great presents, and moreover, granted their Great Master a liberty to wear the Flower deluccs on the 4 extremities of their Cross.

Their Power and Force in War will appear in the following succinct account, and Se∣ries of their several Great Masters.

Their first Great Master, as I observ'd be∣fore, was Henry Walpot, a Native of Germany, Elected in the Year 1190, who died, and was buried at Acon, or Ptolemais.

The Second Great Master of this Order was Otho de Kerpen, a Nobleman of Germany, who after having enjoy'd this Office but 6 Years died, and was buried at Acon.

The Third Great Master was Herman Barth of Alsace, who was Elected under Pope Inno∣cent III. and the Emperour Philip II. he pre∣sided over these Knights only 4 Years, then died, and was buried at Acon. Under these two Great Masters this Order first began to encrease and flourish.

The fourth Great Master was Herman a Sal∣zen, a Nobleman of Misnia, under the seve∣ral Pontificates of Pope Innocent III. Honorius, and Gregory IX. and in the Reigns of the Em∣peror's Otho and Frederic II. This Master ob∣tain'd great Privileges for his Order, both from the aforesaid Popes and Emperors. And John King of Jerusalem, for their having protected him against Conrade King of Syria, added to the Arms of this Order, a Cross-Po∣tence Or, which were the proper Ensigns of that Kingdom. In his time Conrade, Mar∣quess of Thuringen was admitted of the Order. He had above 2000 German Noblemen and Knights in his Order at once, all which he govern'd for about 30 Years. During his Administration, his Order having been dri∣ven out of the Holy-Land by the Sarazens, set∣led in Prussia to the number of 20000, and by help of the Poles, soon expell'd the Pa∣gan Prussians out of the Province of Culmige∣ria, He lies buried at Marienburg, which he built.

The Fifth Great Master was Conrade Mar∣quess of Thuringen, who was Elected under the Pontificat of Celestine IV. and the Reign of the Emperour Frederic II. He very much augmented the Conquests of his Order, and restor'd many ruinous Fabricks. He built Koningsberg, in Ducal-Prussia, and lies buried at Marienburg.

The Sixth Great Master was Poppo ab Oster∣naw, in the time of Pope Innocent IV. and of the Emperour Conrade IV. He had several glorious Conquests over the Prussians, Livoni∣ans, and Swentopelus Duke of Pomerania, but at length, before the City of Lignitz, was kill'd and routed by the Tartars, who had al∣most over-run all Sarmatia (Poland) and was afterwards buried at Uladislaw. It is said that the aforesaid Swentopelus had been so extream∣ly beaten by these Knights, that he was forc'd to clap up a Peace with them, and afterwards on his Death-bed, earnestly recommended to his Children, to preserve the Friendship he had Contracted: But however, Mestowin, his eldest Son forgetting his Father's Orders, de∣clar'd War anew against them, but being likewise beaten, the Knights over-run all Po∣merania, and at length forc'd this Duke to a Peace: And moreover, 3 of his Brothers, whereof the Eldest was nam'd Sambor, be∣came Knights of this Order.

The Seventh Great Master of the Teutonic Order was Johannes Sangerhusensis, who took upon him that Office under the Pontificat of Ale∣xander

IV. He very much allay'd the Insolence of the Pagan Prussians, and in great measure, regain'd the credit of his Order forfeited to the Tartars. He Rul'd 12 Years, and lies bu∣ried at Treves. In his time the City of Bran∣denburg was built.

The Eighth Great Master was Hartman Count of Heidelberg, who was Elected in the time of Pope Clement IV. and of the Empe∣rour Rodolfe I. He was a very industrious Person, and got great ground of the Prussians. In his time the Castle of Marienburg was built in the Year 1281. He dy'd, and was buried at Venice.

The Ninth Great Master of this Order was Buchardus à Swenden, Elected in the time of Pope John, and the Emperour Rodolfe I. Un∣der his Administration of Affairs the Prussians were totally reduc'd. After 7 Years enjoy∣ment of his Office, he Abdicated it, and liv'd afterwards at Rhodes, where he lies buried.

The Tenth Great Master was Conrade de Feuchtwangen, who was Elected in the time of the Emperour Rodolfe I. and Pope Nicholas IV. Altho' this Order made considerable progress under his Administration, yet, at length, it receiv'd a great check in Syria, where the City of Acon, which had been the chief Seat of this Order for some time, was taken by the Souldan of Aegypt. He died at Pra∣gue, and was buried at Trebnicz.

The Eleventh Great Master was Godfrey Count of Hohenloh, who was Elected, Adol∣phus

being Emperour, and Celestine V. Pope. He was a Venetian born, and govern'd this Or∣der 10 Years; he retook Riga in Livonia from the Russians, and caus'd its Fortifications to be demolished, but not long after he restor'd the Inhabitants to their antient Privileges, ha∣ving built a Castle there to awe them. He at length resign'd his Office, and dy'd in Ger∣many.

The Twelfth Great Master was Sigfridus de Feuchtwangen, in the time of Albert Duke of Austria's being Emperour, and Clement Pope. He remov'd his Seat from Marpurg to the Ca∣stle of Marienburg; for this Order had resided there ever since their being oblig'd to leave Syria. This Master rul'd only 2 Years, and died and was buried at Marienburg.

The Thirteenth Great Master was Charles Beffart, Elected in the Reign of the Emperour Henry, and the Pontificate of Pope Clement V. He was a very Wise and Warlike Person, and in the Year 1312 founded the Castle of Memula in Courland, to hinder the Incursions of the Lithuanians. Upon his return from Rome, whither he had been cited for, and cleared of Male-Administration, he died at Vienna, where he lies buried.

The Fourteenth Great Master was Vernerus Urselensis, Elected in the time of the Emperour Lewis V. and Pope John. He executed his Trust with a great deal of Fidelity and Bra∣very, and was afterwards Murther'd by a Bro∣ther of the Order, one John Bunsdorfius, while

he was going out of the Church from Vespers.

The Fifteenth Great Master was Lewis D. of Brunswick. He was a very Prudent and Pi∣ous Man, but rul'd only four Years.

The Sixteenth Great Master was Districhus Count Algemburg, Elected when he was 80 Years old. He was a Person of Great Elo∣quence, Authority and Justice. After having built St. Mary's Church at Marienburg, he died at Thorn, and was buried at St. Anns in Mari∣enburg.

The Seventeenth Great Master was Rodolfe Duke of Saxony, Elected in the time of the Emperour Lewis V. and Pope Benedict XI. He gather'd great Forces together, and Besieg'd and took Neumarcovia. In the Interim the Lithuanians invaded Prussia, over-running all with Fire and Sword, which this good Master took so much to heart, that he first became Mad, then was deposed from his Office, and afterwards died of Grief at Marienwerder, where he was buried.

The Eighteentth Great Master was Henry de Desmer, or Tuchmer, Elected in the Pontifi∣cate of Clement VI. He had a Famous Bat∣tle with the Lithuanians and Russians, where∣in he kill'd above 10000 of the Enemy. He died and was buried at Marienburg.

The Nineteenth Great Master was Henry de Kniprodien, Elected in the time of Pope Cle∣ment VI, and of the Emperor Charles III.

The foregoing War with the Lithuanians and Russians broke out a fresh in his time, wherein the Great Duke of Lithuania, Keystutus, was taken Prisoner and carried to Marienburg, whence he afterwards escap'd by means of a Servant. In this Great Master's time, one of the Sons of the aforesaid Great Duke became a Christian at Koningsberg, and afterwards was made a Prince of the Empire, by the Empe∣rour Charles IV. During his Administration, which was about 31 Years, this Order abound∣ed in Learned Men. He died at Marienburg, and was there buried.

The Twentieth Great Master was Conrade Zolner, Elected in the time of the Emperour Wenceslaus, and of Pope Urban VI. He had several contests with the Lithuanians and Sa∣mogitians, during the several Reigns of Key∣stutus, Jagello, Votoldus, and Suidrigielo, Great Dukes of Lithuania. He died and was bu∣ried at Marienburg, after 8 Years Administra∣tion of the Government of this Order.

The Twenty first Great Master was Conrade de Valenroden, Elected during the Papacy of Pope Boniface. He was a Person of a very Warlike Disposition, but withal of an odd Temper: He hated and refus'd his Ecclesia∣stical Brothers access to him at the hour of his Death. In his time this Order made a De∣scent upon Lithuania, by way of the River Niemen, and built three Magazines near the Castle of Cowno, by help of which they made great devastations in that Country for a consi∣derable time.

The Twenty second Great Master was Con∣rade de Jungingen. He was of a very peace∣able Temper, and therefore not much be∣lov'd by his Order. However, he rul'd 12 Years, and afterwards died at Marienburg, and was there buried.

The Twenty third Great Master was Ulric de Jungingen, Brother to the aforesaid Conrade. He was Elected in the time of the Emperour Rupert, and of Pope Gregory XII. He was of a Warlike Temper, and to that degree, that he deviated not a little from his Order: He Persecuted his Brothers, and took several of their Possessions from them. After several Wars had with the Poles and Lithuanians, Ja∣gello, King of Poland, and Vitoldus, Great Duke of Lithuania gave him a total over∣throw, wherein this Great Master with about 200 Commendadors, and 5000 other Knights was kill'd, and his General taken Prisoner, altho' at the first onset the Lithuanians lost a∣bout 7000 Men.

The Twenty fourth Great Master was Hen∣ry Count of Plaven, Elected in the time of the Emperour Sigismund, and Pope John. This Person was resolv'd to revenge the late over∣throw on the Poles, but before he could effect any thing considerable, he was depos'd, thrown into Prison at Engelsburg, and thence remov'd to Lecksteg, where, after 7 years confinement he died in Chains, and was bu∣ried at Marienburg.

The Twenty fifth Great Master was Michael de Sterbergen, Steward of the Houshold to the Emperour Sigismund. In the very first year of his Government Jagello and Vitoldus took from him and destroy'd several Cities, but were at length forc'd to retire. He govern'd this Order 9 years, but afterwards desiring his Quietus, he obtain'd it, died at Dantzic, and was buried at Marienburg.

The Twenty sixth Great Master was Paul de Rusdorfien, Elected in the time of Pope Mar∣tin: During his Administration several of the Provinces and Cities of Prussia shook off the Teutonic Yoak, and revolted to Casimir IV. King of Poland. He enjoy'd this Office nine Years also, but dying was buried at Ma∣rienburg.

The Twenty seventh Great Master was Con∣rade ab Herlingshausen, Elected in the time of the Emperour Albert III. This Great Master treated Casimir King of Poland at Thorn, where at that time there was an inviolable Peace struck up between them. This Person had no Wars during his Regency, and at last died of Grief, on account of his Brother's pervers∣ness. He was buried at Marienburg.

The Twenty eighth Great Master was Lewis ab Herlingshausen, Elected in the time of the Emperour Frederic III. During his Admi∣nistration a farther part of Prussia revolted to the aforesaid Casimir, to whom also the Gar∣rison of Marienburg sold that City for 476000 Florens, together with several other Cities and Castles. Afterwards the King of

Poland enters again into a Peace with this Or∣der, by which means he obtain'd Pomerania, for which the Poles had contested with these Knights for upwards of 150 Years, This Great Master died and was buried at Konings∣berg.

The Twenty ninth Great Master of this Order was Henry Rhews, Count of Plauen, Elected in the time of the Emperor Frede∣ric III. He only govern'd eleven Weeks, and then died and was buried at Koningsberg.

The Thirtieth Great Master was Henry Count of Richtenberg, Elected in the time of the Emperor Frederic III. and of Pope Six∣tus IV. He was a Man of a very turbulent and inexorable temper, for he threw Theodore a Prussian Bishop into Chains, and suffer'd him to die with Hunger. He govern'd this Order twelve Years, and then died at Koningsberg, and was buried there.

The Thirty first Great Master was Martin Truchses of Uveczhausen, Elected in the time of the Emperor Frederic III. and of Pope Six∣tus IV. He paid Homage and Obedience to Casimir King of Poland, died at Koningsberg, and was buried there.

The Thirty second Great Master was John de Tiefen, a Swiss, Elected when Maximilian I. was Emperor, and Julius Pope. The first Year he swore Allegiance to Albert King of Poland, and in the next assisted that King against the Valachians, but by whom he

was defeated and killed. He was buried at Koningsberg.

The Thirty third Great Master was Frederic Duke of Saxony, and Marquiss of Thuringen: This Person refus'd to do Homage to the King of Poland, and therefore his Domini∣ons were very much ravag'd by the Poles for 12 Years together, and he excluded his Coun∣try, at what time he died.

The Thirty fourth and last Great Master of the Teutonic Order in Prussia was Albert Mar∣quess of Brandenburg, Nephew to Sigismund I. King of Poland. He was Elected in the time of Maximilian the Emperor, and Pope Julius. The Chapter of this Order chose him in hopes that being so near a Kinsman, he might pre∣vail upon the King of Poland, his Uncle to re∣store to them what had been taken from them by the Poles; but this Great Master was so far from answering their expectation, that he likewise refus'd to Swear Allegiance to the King of Poland, and fortify'd all his Cities for his Defence, whence it follow'd, that he drew a bloody War upon himself, wherein great numbers were frequently slain and taken on both sides; the particulars of the chiefest of his Actions I thought might not be unacceptable to your Lordship, and which are as follows.

In the Year 1519, the War broke out be∣tween him and his Uncle, and some few places were lost and taken on both sides; but in 1529, Wolfang Duke of Schonemburg, Gene∣ral of the Teutonic Army, which consisted of

about 10000 Foot, and 4000 Horse, sat down before Dantzick, and from the Bishop's Hill (vulgarly so call'd) threw away near 4000 Bombs into the Town, to little or no purpose, whilst the Besiegers were not a little incom∣moded by the Town-Cannon, for scarce a Man durst shew his Head, but he had 40 shot at him. This so discouraged the Besiegers, that the major part of them soon discover'd their Inclinations to be gone, and for that purpose began to Mutiny against their Offi∣cers. Whilst they were thus wavering in their Resolutions, and scarce doing any Duty but by compulsion, the Polish Army appear'd, being 12000 Horse, sent by the King to raise the Siege. It was now high time for the Be∣siegers to scamper, which they immediately set about with such Precipitation, that the Poles found it no difficult matter to overtake even their Foot; yet, however, they kill'd some and took others Prisoners. After this the King's Army took in Dirschow, Stargardie, and the strong Castle of Choinicz, and after∣wards proceeded on with so great Vigor and Diligence, that most of the Cities and Castles of the Order Surrender'd themselves. By these means the Teutonic Knights were totally expell'd Prussia, which their Great Master Al∣bert perceiving, as likewise that he was no longer able to contend with so powerful a Monarch as him of Poland, tho' his Ancestors had formerly done it for many Years, yet then they were in a better condition than he at pre∣sent was in, resolv'd to submit himself and his Order to his Uncle's Mercy, which he not long afterwards did in the publick Market∣place of Cracow.

For this Purpose a Throne was erected for the King, much after the same nature with that wherein he is wont to take the Homage and Oaths of his Subjects after his Coronati∣on, as your Lordship may observe in the Let∣ter to my Lord Marlborough; then the Mar∣quess delivering up the Ensigns of his Order to the King, and swearing all manner of Alle∣giance to him, his Majesty return'd him the Ensigns of Prussia, quarter'd with the Polish, and at the same time created him a Duke of part of that Country, which from thence forward has had the Name of Ducal Prussia, and continu'd all along in his Family to this Day.

The Teutonic Order being thus expell'd Prus∣sia, they transferr'd their Chapter to Mergent∣heim, or as some say, to Marienthall, in Fran∣conia, where they chose

Walter de Cronberg for their Thirty fifth Great Master and Administrator of Prussia. This Great Master appeal'd to the Emperor concerning the wrong done to his Order by Albert, as likewise got Albert Excommunica∣ted by the Pope. He afterwards took his Seat in the General Diet of the Empire, equal with the Archbishops, as being Great Master of the Teutonic Order. He died after 18 Years Administration of this Office, and was buried at Mergentheim.

The Thirty sixth Great Master was Wolfang Schutzbar, otherwise call'd Milchling, Elected in the Chapter at Spire the 16th of April. He had been Provincial Commander of the

Country of Hesse, and was one of the first that went to the assistance of the Emperour Charles V. in his Wars about Religion. He recover'd the Seat of this Order at Marpurg, which had been usurp'd by the Landtgrave of Hesse. After several more famous Actions he dy'd in the Year 1566.

The Thirty seventh Great Master was George Hundt de Menckheim Governour of the Cir∣cle of Franconia. He died after 6 years Re∣gency at Mergentheim, and was buried there in the Year 1572.

The Thirty eighth Great Master was Henry de Bobenhausen, Elected at the General Assem∣bly of the Knights at Ulm upon the Danube. This Great Master, upon George Frederic Mar∣quests of Brandenburg's possessing himself of the Title and Dutchy of Prussia, thought himself oblig'd in the Name of his Order to enter Pro∣testations against it. He resign'd his Office to the Chapter after 8 Years Administration.

The Thirty Ninth Great Master of this Or∣der, and Administrator of Prussia was Maximi∣lian Arch-Duke of Austria, who had earnest∣ly Sollicited the Electors for that Charge, and offer'd to wear the Habit of the Order: After∣wards being invited to the Crown of Poland, this Order was in great hopes of being resto∣red to their Dominions of Prussia, but upon his being defeated by Sigismund III. they soon lost all those hopes. He nevertheless conti∣nu'd their Great Master, and being a brave Prince was nam'd for their General against

the Turks in Hungary, when he had a Compa∣ny of Guards all Knights of the Order. He held his Administration 34 Years, and ended his days at Inspruck, where he was likewise buried.

The Fourtieth Great Master was Charles Arch-Duke of Austria, who, after 5 years Regency died at Madrid whither he had been invited by the King of Spain to go his Vice-Roy into Portugal.

The Fourty first Great Master was John Eu∣stache de Westernach, who was Elected at Mer∣gentheim the 19th of March, in the Year 1625, and died 82 years old, in the Year of our Lord 1627.

The Fourty second Great Master was Gas∣pard de Stadion Provincial Commander of Al∣sace and Burgundy, and particular Comman∣der of Altschausen. He after having govern∣ed this Order with great Reputation for four∣teen years, desir'd the Chapter to Elect Leopold William Arch Duke of Austria, for his Coadju∣tor in the Administration of his Office; and which being done, he gave him the Cross of Prussia as a Testimony of his consent.

The Fourty third Great Master was this Le∣opold William who succeeded Stadion by Virtue of his former Election. He govern'd this Or∣der alone to the Year 1662, when he died at Vienna the 20th of November, and was buri∣ed there.

The same Year the Chapter was Conven'd, and would have chosen Charles Joseph Arch-Duke of Austria to have succeeded Leopold William his Brother, but he died the same Year, and thereby their designs were fru∣strated.

Afterwards the Chapter being Assembled at Mergentheim, in the Year 1664, chose for their Fourty fourth Great Master one of their own Knights, call'd John Gaspard of Ambrin∣gens, Provincial Commander of the Circle of Austria, and this they did to prevent the In∣trigues which several Princes always made to get Elected to this Dignity.

This Great Master Convening the Chapter at Mariendal, receiv'd Duke Lewis Anthony of Neubourg, Abbot of Fescamp, and third Son to Philip William Duke of Neubourg, into this Order.

Ceremony of Creation, and present State of Knights.

THe Ceremony was perform'd in the Great Church, whither he had been conducted by the Great Master, the Commen∣dadors and Knights. The Counts of Ottingen, Hatzensten, and Fugger, who had been nam'd Commissioners to inspect his Titles of Honour, reported upon Oath, that they had examin'd and found his Honour to be unque∣stionable. After which he was sworn to

Chastity, Poverty, and to go to the Wars against the Infidels whenever occasion should so require. When they gave him the white Mantle with the black Cross, being the En∣signs of this Order, and withal, pronounc'd these Words according to Custom. We Pro∣mise to give you, as long as you live, Water, Bread, and a Habit of our Order.

Next day the Great Master propos'd to the Chapter to Elect this Prince for his Assistant in the Government of the Order, which the Ele∣ctors desir'd time to consider of; and after se∣veral Meetings had about it, they answer'd, they were content to Elect him, providing he would sign a Capitulation offer'd him, which he agreeing to do, he was accordingly Elected.

The Teutonic Order at present consists of 12 Provinces, which are, Alsace and Burgundy for one, Coblentz, Austria, and Etsch; these four still retain the Name of Provinces of the Jurisdiction of Prussia, as the eight following do that of Germany, being the Provinces of Franconia, Hesse, Bressen, Westphalia, Lorrain, Thuringen, Saxony, and Utrecht, altho' this last is now altogether under the Domi∣nion of the Hollanders. Every one of these Provinces has its peculiar Commanderys of the Commendadors, of which the Provincial is Chief. Of these Provincial Commendadors there are 12, counting one for every Province. It is these Commendadors who compose the Chapter of the Electors. The Great Master's ordinary Residence has been at Mariendal in

Franconia, ever since this Order has been dri∣ven out of Prussia.

This, My Lord, is a short account of the Origin, Progress, successive Great Masters, and present State of the Teutonic Order, which I hope, your Lordship will favourably accept, being all that the propos'd brevity of this Un∣dertaking would admit of.

I am,

My LORD,

Your Lordship's most Obedient Humble Servant, J. S.

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

Notes

• Origin of Teutonic Order.
• Who built their Hos∣pital of Je∣rusalem.
• Their Order confirm'd, and by what Title.
• Another Hospital; with their removal in∣to Germa∣ny and Prussia.
• Marien∣burg built.
• For sake Prussia, and where∣fore.
• Their Sta∣tutes, Ha∣bit, Num∣ber, and Manners.
• Are much favour'd by several Princes.
• Great Ma∣sters in Prussia.
• I Great Master, 1190.
• II Great Master, 1200.
• III Great Master, 1206.
• IV Great Master, 1210.
• V Great Master, 1240.
• VI Great Master, 1252.
• VII Great Master, 1263.
• VIII Great Master, 1275.
• IX Great Master, 1283.
• X Great Master, 1290.
• XI Great Master, 1297.
• XII Great Master, 1307.
• XIII Great Master, 1309.
• XIV Great Master, 1322.
• XV Great Master, 1325.
• XVI Great Master, 1329.
• XVII Great Ma∣ster, 1339.
• XVIII Great Ma∣ster, 1342.
• XIX Great Master, 1348.
• XX Great Master, 1379.
• XXI Great Master, 1388.
• XXII Great Ma∣ster, 1394.
• XXIII Great Ma∣ster, 1404.
• XXIV Great Ma∣ster, 1406.
• XXV Great Ma∣ster, 1414.
• XXVI Great Ma∣ster, 1323.
• XXVII Great Ma∣ster, 1432.
• XXVIII Great Ma∣ster, 1450.
• XXIX. Great Ma∣ster, 1467.
• XXX Great Ma∣ster. 1468.
• XXXI Great Ma∣ster, 1480.
• XXXII Great Ma∣ster, 1489.
• XXXIII Great Ma∣ster, 1498.
• XXXIV Great Ma∣ster, 1512.
• Dantzic B sieg'd by Albert.
• Siege rais'd by the Poles.
• Albert submits to Sigis∣mund.
• Great Ma∣sters in Germany.
• XXXV Great Ma∣ster, 1531.
• XXXVI Great Ma∣ster, 1543.
• XXXVII Great Ma∣ster, 1566.
• XXXVIII Great Ma∣ster, 1572.
• XXXIX Great Ma∣ster, 1587.
• XL Great Master, 1619.
• XLI Great Master, 1624.
• XLII Great Master, 1627.
• XLIII Great Ma∣ster, 1644.
• XLIV Great Ma∣ster, 1664.
• A Prince of Neu∣bourg Ele∣cted of the Order.
• Ceremony of Creation.
• Elected likewise Coadjutor
• Present State of Teutonic Order in Germany.