Order of the Teutonic Knights of St. Mary’s Hospital in Jerusalem

The Order of the Teutonic Knights of St. Mary's Hospital in Jerusalem, founded in the late 12th century, was a medieval Christian military order initially established to care for sick and injured pilgrims in the Holy Land. Similar to the Knights Templar, they combined religious devotion with military might, becoming known for their role in the Crusades. Over time, the order shifted its focus from hospital care to military and political power in Eastern Europe, particularly in Prussia and the Baltic regions, where they influenced the spread of Christianity and the establishment of a feudal state.