See also : THE PROTESTANT BRANCH OF THE ORDER IN THE NETHERLANDS.
THE FORMER POSSESSIONS OF THE ORDER IN BELGIUM.
(Both without any relation to Austria and the Order itself in this period)Note
The history of the Order is given until 1945 but - except for the Grand
Masters - its officials are only listed until 1923 when the links with the
House of Habsburg and Austria were broken and the Order evolved towards a
purely religious community.
Historical background
The Order of the Hospital of Our Lady of the Germans in Jerusalem (Orden
des Hospitals Sankt Mariens der Deutschen zu Jerusalem) was established in
1190 when German merchants established an hospital in order to care for
the sick and the injured. In 1198 this small community was recognized as a
military order under direct authority and protection of the Pope, one of
its main tasks becoming the defence of Christian Palestine against Islam.
At the same time the Order grew in importance and wealth, acquering, in the
course of the following centuries, different possessions in many Roman
Catholic and other countries of Europe.
Despite the decline of its political importance after its defeat against
Poland in 1410 and despite the religious difficulties at the time of the
Reformation (which resulted in the lose of the last remaining territories
outside the Holy Roman Empire - the Baltic lands, Prussia and Utrecht) the
Order still remained very powerfull until the end of the 18th century, as
it still had rich possessions. (1)
It was only after the French interventions in the Holy Roman Empire and
Germany,in the period 1794 - 1809, that this position was terminated and
the last possessions outside the Habsburg domains were lost.
In these domains the Order, now known as Order of the Teutonic Knights
(Deutscher Ritterorden), was re-organized in the period 1834 - 1840. It now
became an independent Austrian institute - directly dependent of the Emperor
and governed by a member of the House of Habsburg considered as a vassal of
the Emperor - which was to be concerned only with charitable and social
activities. (2)
In 1923, in order to allow the survival of the Order in the successor
states of the Austrian Monarchy, the last Habsburg Grand Master resigned and
after a transitional period, it formally became a purely religious order -
known as the Teutonic Order (Deutscher Orden) - directly dependent of the
Pope in 1929.
After the annexation of Austria to Germany in 1938 the Order was abolished
in this country and its possessions taken over by the State. (3) In 1939 it
suffered the same fate in Czechoslovakia, while some years later, during
the German interventions in Italy and Yougoslavia - where the order formally
continued to exist - its members became victims of persecutions.
(1) At the same time important internal changes also toke
place :
Charitable activities lost all importance and nearly
disappeared, the Order becoming in fact an "economic"
institute, whose principal purpose was to provide its
knights - members of noble families - with a revenue.
At the same time the influence of the House of Habsburg
over the Order became more important and the last Grand
Masters all were members of the family.
(2) One of the consequences of the revival of the initial
activities was the gradual lose of importance of the
knightly element of the Order in favour of the revived
or re-organized branches of Brothers, Sisters and
Familiars (lay members who sympathised with the ideals
of the Order and were in many cases its benefactors)
As to the scocial and charitable activities of the Order
they covered both education and health care (schools,
hospitals), this last also including the care of wounded
during wars (Bulgarian-Serb war of 1885, WWI)
(3) The S.S. considered themselves as the only heirs of the
Order of the first days.
____________________________________________________________________________
CENTRAL HIGH OFFICIALS
Grand and Teutonic Masters
Hoch- und Deutschmeister
1863 - 1894 Wilhelm Franz Karl, Erzherzog von
Österreich 1827 - 1894
1894 - 1923 Eugen Ferdinand Pius Bernhard Felix
Maria, Erzherzog von Oesterreich,
resigned in order to allow the Order
to survive in the successor states 1863 - 1954
Grand Masters
Hochmeister
1923 - 1933 Norbert Klein, Bishop of Brünn
1933 - 1936 Paul Heider
1936 - 1948 Robert Schälzky
Chancellors of the Order
Ordenskanzler
1870 - 1876 Anton Genser, Ritter von Fichtenthal
1876 - 1897 Eduard Gaston Poettickh, Graf und
Freiherr von Pettenegg
1897 - 1911 Moritz Maria, Edler von Weittenhiller
1911 - 1923 Gustav Bandian
____________________________________________________________________________
The Bailiwicks (German : Balleien) were the territorial divisions of the
Teutonic Order since its foundation.
Most of them disappeared however in the course of the centuries and by 1918
only two (three if one counts the Protestant Bailiwick of Utrecht) still
existed : An der Etsch und im Gebirg and Österreich.
Once responsible for all activities of the Order within the Ballei, their
Heads - the Landcommanders (Ladkomture) - were now only in charge of the
Knights and the Familiars.
BALLEI AN DER ETSCH UND IM GEBIRG
The Ballei An der Etsch und Im Gebirg - covering the possessions in Tirol
and originally styled Bozen - was established in the 13th century. In 1809
most of it was divided between Bavaria and the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy
and it actually ceased to exist. It was formally restored in 1835.
Landcommanders
Landkomture
1835 - 1871 Joseph Maria Alois, Graf Attems
1871 - 1876 Karl Maximilian, Landgraf von Fürstenberg
1876 - 1890 Theodor, Freiherr von Risenfels
1890 - 1892 Ferdinand, Freiherr de Fin
1892 - 1909 Rudolf, Freiherr von Doth
1909 - 1916 Gustav, Freiherr von Warsberg
1916 - 1918 Franz Josef, Freiherr von Reischach*
1918 - 1929 Albert, Graf Mensdorff-Pouilly-Dietrichstein
BALLEI ÖSTERREICH
The Ballei Österreich was established in the 13th century. From the 17th
century onwards it also covered most of the possessions of the Order in the
Czech lands. (4)Landcommanders
Landkomture
1868 - 1890 Maximilian "Max", Graf Coudenhove
1890 - 1892 Theodor, Freiherr von Risenfels s.a.
1892 - 1914 Ferdinand, Freiherr de Fin
1914 - 1818 Karl, Graf Orsini-Rosenberg*
1918 - 1923 Franz Joseph, Freiherr von Reischach s.a.
(4) The possessions in Silesia - the lordships of Busau
Eulenburg, Freudenthal and Langendorf - were part of
the "Meistertum", that is directly dependent of the
Grand Master.
____________________________________________________________________________
Brothers or Priests had been a branch of the Order since its foundation,
taking care of religious, charitable and administrative matters.
In the course of the 17th - 18th century their importance declined and their
tasks became limited to the administration of the parishes of the Order.
In the course of the 19th century - following the general re-organization of
the Order in the years 1834 - 1840 - the brothers returned to their original
charitable activities and several convents - serving as headquarters for the
renewed activities and later also becoming the centre of Provinces - were
established.
LANA - SOUTH TIROL
This first Convent was founded in 1855. It later became the centre of the
Province of South Tirol (covering in fact all activities in Italy)
Priors
Prioren
1867 - 1873 Peter Rigler
1874 - 1886 Alois Stuefer 1802 - 1888
1886 - 1890 Elias Markhart
1890 - 1896 Maximilian Fink
1896 - 1899 Elias Markhart (2x)
1899 - 1905 Joseph Calasanz Tribus
1905 - 1914 Elias Markhart (3x)
1914 - 1933 Korbinian Langebner
TROPPAU - CZECHOSLOVAKIA
The Convent of Eulenburg was established in 1858. In 1866 it was transferred
to Troppau, which later became the centre of the Province of Czecholovakia.
Priors
Prioren
1867 - 1886 Johann Weidel
1886 - 1914 Maximilian Fink s.a.
1914 - 1916 Alfons Hoppe
1916 - 1933 Hubert Hanke
LAIBACH - YOUGOSLAVIA
The Convent of Laibach was founded in 1897. At first united with Troppau, it
became an independent institution in 1918, later also becoming the centre of
the Province of Yougoslavia.
Priors
Prioren
1897 - 1914 Maximilian Fink s.a.
1914 - 1916 Alfons Hoppe s.a.
1916 - 1918 Hubert Hanke s.a.
1918 - 1921 Bernhard Polak
1921 - 1949 Valerian Ucak
____________________________________________________________________________
The Sisters had formed a branch of the Order probably since its foundation.
They disappeared however in the course of the 16th century as a result of
the reformation.
In the period of the re-organization of the Order between 1834 - 1840, the
institute was revived and in 1855 it formally became part of the Order.
The new sister communities (Schwesterngemeinde) - mainly concerned with
charitable works - originally consisted of a "Mother - House" (Mütterhaus)
- the original establishment of the community - and several smaller houses
(schools,...) which derived from it.
In 1918, following a re-organization (possibly linked to the establishment
of successor states), they became Sister Provinces (Schwesternprovinzen),
regrouping the different houses.
LANA - SOUTH TIROL
The first modern sister community was established at Lana in Tirol in 1837.
After the region had become part of Italy, it became the centre of the
Province of South Tirol (which in fact covered the whole of Italy)
Superiors of Lana
Oberinnen von Lana
1850 - 1888 Kupertina Fink°
1889 - 1920 Valeriana Gerber°
Provincial Superior
Provinzoberin
1920 - 1936 Lamberta Eisath
TROPPAU - FREUDENTHAL - CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Two separate sister communities were set up in the Czech possessions of the
Habsburgs : Troppau in 1842 and Freudenthal in 1851.
In 1918 they were united into the new Province of Czechoslovakia.
Superiors of Troppau
Oberinnen von Troppau
1842 - 1875 Agnes Weber° 1794 - 1875
1875 - 1893 Thekla Wehl°
1893 - 1907 Ambrosiana Glaser°
1907 - 1918 Amalia Kimmel°
Superiors of Freudenthaler
Oberinnen von Freudenthal
1856 - 1893 Vinzenzia von Wiesenegg°
1893 - 1903 Alexia Beier°
1903 - 1923 Klementine Schuh°
Provincial Superior
Provinzoberin
1918 - 1930 Amalia Kimmel° s.a.
FRIESACH - CARINTHIA
In 1880 a new sister community was established at Friesach. In 1918 it became
the centre of the new Province of Carinthia.
Superiors of Friesach
Oberinnen von Friesach
1880 - 1888 Wilhemine Witzel°
1888 - 1918 Konstanzia Rother°
Proincial Superior
Provinzoberin
1918 - 1929 Hieronyma Olbrich°
YOUGOSLAVIA
In 1919 the sister communities situated in the new state of Yougolavia were
organized into a separate province.
Provincial Superior
Provinzoberin
1919 - 1933 Friedburga Kuchel°
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The Teutonic Order acquiered its first possessions in what was to become the
Netherlands in the early 13th century. Except for some southern parts which
became subject to Biesen, all these possessions were included in the Balije
(Bailiwick) or Landcommanderij (Landcommandry) of Utrecht.
In 1619, after the Netherlands had become independent, the Balije came under
the supervision of the States of the Province of Utrecht and starting in 1620
the Landcommanders were Protestants. In 1637 the last link with the Grand
Master was broken and the Balije became an independent institute under the
supervision of the Dutch Staten Generaal.
In 1811, after the annexation of the Netherlands to France, all possessions
were taken over by the French State and the Balije was ordered to disband.
But before this could be put into effect, the Netherlands were liberated
and the Balije was fully restored, now under the direct supervision of the
Dutch monarchs.
Like the Order itself, the Balije of Utrecht was - and still is - mainly
concerned with religious and charitable activities. (5)
(5) But unlike the Order, which adapted to changing
times, the Balije maintained its very strict rules :
Membership was - and still is - restricted to men
belonging to the ancient Durch Protestant Nobility.
HIGH OFFICIALS
Landcommanders of the Bailiwick of Utrecht
Landcommandeurs van de Balije Utrecht
1868 - 1877 Alexander Carel Jacob Schimmelpenninck
van der Oye 1... - 1877
1887 - 1886 Jan Derk van Rechteren van Ahnen
1886 - 1889 François Maximiliaan van der Duyn
1889 - 1894 Otto van Dedem
1894 - 1899 Reinhard Jan Christiaan van Pallandt
van Rosendael
1899 - 1914 Emilius Johan van Pallandt
1914 - 1918 Alexander Schimmelpenninck van der Oye
1918 - 1936 Anne Willem Jacob Joost van Nagell
1936 - 1939 Otto Jacob Eiffelanus van Wassenaer van
Catwijck
1939 - 1946 Karel Gerrit Willem van Wassenaer
Note
The Order did no longer exist in Belgium in this period. This information is added
in view of the historical and cultural importance of Alden Biesen, once the center of
its possessions in Belgium and its largest Komturei in North Western Europe. It's
also the occassion the present the structure of a Ballei at the eve of the French
intervention.
Historical backgroundThe Teutonic Order acquiered its first possessions in what was to become Belgium in
the early 13th century. Most of them - situated in the future Province of Limburg
- were later regrouped into the Balije Biesen, which also included territories in
the Southern Netherlands and Western Germany. (6)
In 1794 - 1797 the Ballei was conquered by the French and in 1807 it also formally
ceased to exist. By that date its possessions in present Belgium had however already
been taken over by the French State and sold to particular persons.
(6) The structure of the Balije at the eve of the French intervention was as
follows :
- Territories and possessions under direct rule of the Order divided into
Komtureien (Commandries - Dutch : Commanderijen) :
- in Belgium : Alden Biesen, Bekkevoort, Bernissem, Gruitrode,
Liège, Ordingen and Sint-Pieters-Voeren
- in the Netherlands : Gemert, Nieuwen Biesen (in the City of Maastricht)
and Vught
- in Germany : Aachen, Aschaffenburg, Jungen Biesen (in the City
of Köln), Ramersdorf and Siersdorf.
The seat of the Balije was Nieuwen Biesen, but the Landcommander often
resided in Alden Biesen.
- Parishes in the vicinity of Komtureien under the care of Priests of the
Order :
- in Belgium : Bekkevoort, Gruitrode, Liège (only the parishes
of Saint André and Saint Gangulf), Ordingen and
Overrepen
- in the Netherlands : Bakel, Beek, Deurne, Geldrop, Gemert, Handel,
Haren, Nistelrode, Vught and Wolder
- in Germany : Siersdorf and Welz
Proprietors of the Castle of Alden Biesen
(They had no special administrative tasks and no special rights)
1841 - 1880 Ulysse Claes 1792 - 1880
1880 Valérie Claes°, daughter 1829 - 1880
1880 - 1887 François du Vivier, widower 1815 - 1887
1887 - 1926 Malvina du Vivier°, daughter 1849 - 1926
1926 - 1971 Jonkheer Armand Roelants du Vivier, son 1889 - 1974
In 1971 the Castle, which had been neglected by its former owners, was taken over
by the Belgian government, the surrounding lands becoming a property of the Province
of Limburg.
It was later transferred to the autonomous Flemish Community, which made it a major
cultural and educational center, once again styled Landcommanderij Alden Biesen.
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