Hello Carine,
in the following the relevant information with regard to "Deutschorden" (engl.: Teutonic Order):
The Origins of the Teutonic Order
During the Siege of Acre in the Third Crusade a field hospital set up by German merchants and soldiers was formally organised by Duke Frederick of Swabia as a Religious Order under the auspices of local Latin Bishops. The Order may have been recognised as early as 1191 by Pope Clement III, though the evidence is ambiguous. The name and existence of the Order is confirmed in 1196 by an order of Papal protection by Pope Celestine III. 1198 saw the Order given a military role in the Levant. A Papal bull issued by Pope Innocent III in 1199, affirmed the Orders military role and defined its Religious rules. It was to care for the sick in the manner of the Hospitaller Order. In all other business it was to follow the Templar rule and wear the Temple's white cloak with the addition of a black cross. It was initially subordinate to the Master of the Hospitaller Order.
Early History of the Teutonic Order
From its earliest days the Order was involved in Countries outside of the Levant. Although for over a hundred years they remained a substantial force within the Holy Land their focus increasingly moved to Eastern Europe.
For more details on the Crusades see Brendan Moyle's site
Regards
Jürgen Schulte
carine@milly.be 03/09 9:21 >>>
Hallo,
I do not understand the word "Deutschordens ".
Does someone can explain to me the meaning of this ? It seems to be a
German decoration, but what for ?
Thank you already,
Regards
Carine Schulte
Brussels