Teutonic Knight: 1190–1561 (Warrior, 124)

I have been fascinated by the Knights of the Teutonic Order for several years now, but have been frustrated by the relative lack of attention they have received from Osprey. Finally, they have released a title on the Order and, as is often the case with Osprey, the pictures alone make it well worth one's money!The author David Nicolle needs little introduction, having established himself as Osprey's most prolific writer on the Middle Ages. Though his speciality is Islamic and Central Asian warfare, he has also written several worthy titles on the armies of medieval Europe. The illustrator Graham Turner also specializes in the Middle Ages, having illustrated Osprey titles on early German Medieval Armies and the Armies of the Caliphates, as well as the Warrior title on the Redcoats.The Teutonic Order was basically a society of German warriors who carved out their own state in Eastern Europe in the 14th and 15th Centuries. They had their beginnings around the same time the Crusaders' conquests were starting to fall away. Though they spent their early years fighting to save the European state centered on Acre, it was not long before they turned their battle-hungry attentions somewhere else-Eastern Europe, the Slavic-Nomad population of which was still partly pagan. Though they suffered a crippling defeat at Tannenburg in 1410, the Knights continued to hack and batter their way through another century and a half of European history before dividing due to religious tensions and fading out of military importance.Despite their lack of chivalry and culture compared to the knights farther west, the Teutonic Order represented a high point of medieval military power and versatility, utilizing friendly 'natives' to supply the otherwise lacking light cavalry roles in their armies. They clashed with many diverse foes; the Mamluks, the Poles, the Russians, the Prussians, and the Mongols, among many others.After summarizing the beginnings and conquests of the Order, Nicolle gives a condensed chronology spanning from the 12th to the 16th Centuries. Their organization, leadership, fortifications, and politics are next examine; included in this section is a list of their Priors and Hochmeisters. Next the recruitment and belief and belonging are examined, and after that their arsenal, training, skills, and campaign and siegecraft procedures. The author thens goes on to their experience of battle adn closes his book with a list of collections and significant historical locations. There is also a detailed bibliography and plate commentary.The plate artwork is excellent and finely detailed. The first plate depicts a leading knight, accompanied by lightly armored footmen, clashing with a Kipchak warlord. Three others depict the Teutonic Knight as he would have appeared, respectively in the 1200's, 1300's, and late 1400's. Other plates depict the Knights negotiating with a Mamluk general, embarking on a raid in the winter in Eastern Europe, and withstanding a Polish siege after their fierce defeat at Tannenburg. The final plate is perhaps the most useful of all, depicting the contemporary fighting and fencing styles used in Germany.In short, this is a highly useful addition to Osprey's Warrior series and would be, as always, greatly useful to a wargamer, military uniformist, history teacher, or military enthusiast.

I really enjoyed this title by Nicole. Much better than his earlier work of Rus medieval armies (750-1250).Great illustrations by Angus McBride.

Very short book. No list of references inside. Good material for topic.

Osprey makes fine books and this is no exception. Full page illustrations, and a nice overview of the organization but I felt as if they didn't address as much as they should have. Most people's impressions of the Teutonic Knights come from the movie Alexander Nevsky and to be honest it was jarring not to see the knights without horns on their helmets. I would have liked it if they had addressed it. Otherwise excellent book that shipped quickly and arrived in mint condition.

This is a very good introduction to the subject of the German Knights--the Livonian Brothers of the Sword and the Teutonic Knights (diverted from the Holy Land and Hungary)--who led the Cursades against Prussian and Lithuanian pagans in the middle ages.

The Osprey Publications always deliver high quality. Usually used by hobbyists for ideas in painting models etc., they are nutshell histories as well for each period highlighted.

Much of the same information can be found in more lengthier sources, such as Eric Christiansen's excellent The Northern Crusades, but this is a good introduction to the campaigns and history of the Teutonic Knights. As with almost all Osprey titles, the illustrations and color plates are top notch

Gift

Spot on

This little guide explores a less known band of monk warriors, the Deutscher Orden or Teutonic Order. Nicolle packages good graphics and images with a succinct yet comprehensive summary of the Teutonic Order and its high command. The guide chronicles the order's stormy origins in 1189 and initial crusades in the middle east and Jerusalem to its meteoric sweep through northeastern Europe and final near-demise in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 Prussia.The Teutonic Knights were Imperial Germany's strong-arm in Prussia, targeting their crusading aggression for Christendom on the pagan peoples of the Baltic--primarily the Lithuanians and Slav tribes of what is now north-eastern Germany and northern Poland.History, castle-life, recruitment, philosophy and belief, accoutrements and appearance, training and campaigning are covered. This, together with a comprehensive bibliography, makes this smart little guide a gem for those interested in the Teutonic Knight and the time period between 1190 and 1561.Nina Munteanu, author of The Last Summoner, a historical fantasy that explores Medieval castle life with a Teutonic Knight surrounding the Battle of Grunwald. The Last SummonerThe Last Summoner

le livre m'est parvenu en parfait etat et comme tous les ouvrages edités pat Osprey il est magnifique.

I am also studying these interesting ancient orders.

Je suis intéressé par l'époque médiévale et ces documents n'existent qu'en Anglais et sont très bien faits.Le prix en plus est très abordable.