Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Illustrations and Tables
- Dedication
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations and Editorial Note
- Introduction
- 1 The Foundation of the Order, 1190–1215
- 2 The Fifth Crusade and the Development of the Teutonic Knights, 1216–1223
- 3 The Preparations for the Expedition of Frederick II
- 4 From the Crusade of Emperor Frederick II to the Death of Herman von Salza, 1227–1239
- 5 Conrad von Thüringen, the Barons' Crusade and a Change of Policy
- 6 Dependence and Independence
- 7 The Division of Resources between the Holy Land and the Baltic
- 8 The Politics of the Levant
- 9 The Military Organisation of the Teutonic Knights in the Holy Land
- 10 Control, Co-ordination and Supply
- Conclusion
- Appendices
- Bibliography
- Index
2 - The Fifth Crusade and the Development of the Teutonic Knights, 1216–1223
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 September 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Illustrations and Tables
- Dedication
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations and Editorial Note
- Introduction
- 1 The Foundation of the Order, 1190–1215
- 2 The Fifth Crusade and the Development of the Teutonic Knights, 1216–1223
- 3 The Preparations for the Expedition of Frederick II
- 4 From the Crusade of Emperor Frederick II to the Death of Herman von Salza, 1227–1239
- 5 Conrad von Thüringen, the Barons' Crusade and a Change of Policy
- 6 Dependence and Independence
- 7 The Division of Resources between the Holy Land and the Baltic
- 8 The Politics of the Levant
- 9 The Military Organisation of the Teutonic Knights in the Holy Land
- 10 Control, Co-ordination and Supply
- Conclusion
- Appendices
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
These men however, having their origin as it were from a small and sparse spring, have swelled into a great river. The Blessed Virgin Mary their patroness, whom they serve with all piety and humility, advances them both in matters temporal and spiritual and bestows prosperity.
(James of Vitry, bishop of Acre)Building upon their early foundations the Teutonic Knights grew rapidly during the thirteenth century and enhanced their ability to conduct their military vocation. The Fifth Crusade specifically was the event which heralded an almost meteoric rise in their fortunes. Although this venture was ultimately a failure, it provided the brethren with the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities under the watching eyes of western Christendom.
In the aftermath of Henry VI's crusade, Pope Innocent III attempted to raise new forces for the defence of the East. Accordingly, he proclaimed a new crusade, which is now known as the Fourth Crusade. This crusade became diverted from its objectives in the Levant and conquered the city of Constantinople in 1204. Some contingents did reach the Holy Land, but they suffered heavy losses from disease. The Fifth Crusade was the next major expedition that was intended to retake Jerusalem. Pope Innocent launched this campaign in 1213 but died in 1216, before it could be realised, and thus it is was his successor Honorius III who carried this campaign to fruition.
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- The Teutonic Knights in the Holy Land, 1190–1291 , pp. 31 - 42Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2009