Luther von Braunschweig

Luther von Braunschweig (also known as Lothar of Brunswick; c. 1275 – 18 April 1335) was the 18th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, serving from 1331 until his death.

Wooden figure of Luther von Braunschweig, Königsberg Cathedral

Life

Luther was a younger son of the Welf duke Albert I of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1236–1279) and his second wife Adelaide (1242–1284/85), daughter of Margrave Boniface II of Montferrat. His elder brothers Henry, Albert II and William succeeded their father in the Brunswick principalities of Grubenhagen, Göttingen and Wolfenbüttel.

He was first documented as a Teutonic Knight in 1295, serving in the Prussian lands; from 1304 in the entourage of the Landmeister. From 1308 to 1312, Luther acted as Commander (Komtur) at Gollub, an important commandry in Chełmno Land. From 1313 he served as commander at Malbork Castle and in 1314 became commander of Christburg (present-day Dzierzgoń), governing large estates along the Vistula river down to the Vistula Lagoon (Frisches Haff) on the Baltic coast. He founded the town of Gilgenburg (Dąbrówno) in 1326; he also renewed the charters of Christburg, Eylau (Iława), and Saalfeld (Zalewo). In 1329 he had the commandry of Osterode (Ostróda) established. Under Luther's rule, and with the aid of the Cistercians, his territory became the most advanced commandry in the Order's State.

On 17 February 1331, he was elected Grand Master (Hochmeister), succeeding Werner von Orseln who had been killed the year before. While the Polish–Teutonic War over Pomerelia continued, again culminating in the Battle of Płowce on 27 September 1331, Luther further promoted the colonisation and Christianisation of the Order's lands. In his presence, Königsberg Cathedral was consecrated in 1333; Luther also had Malbork Castle extended and became known as a patron of the arts, such as the work of Peter of Dusburg, whose Chronicon terrae Prussiae was translated by chaplain Nikolaus von Jeroschin on his behalf.

Luther was buried in Königsberg Cathedral. His tomb was destroyed in World War II.

Ancestry

Ancestors of Luther von Braunschweig

16. Henry the Lion 8. William of Winchester, Lord of Lüneburg 17. Matilda of England 4. Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg 18. Valdemar I of Denmark 9. Helena of Denmark 19. Sophia of Minsk 2. Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg 20. Otto I, Margrave of Brandenburg 10. Albert II, Margrave of Brandenburg 5. Matilda of Brandenburg 22. Conrad II, Margrave of Lusatia 11. Matilda of Lusatia 23. Elisabeth of Greater Poland 1. Luther von Braunschweig 24. Boniface I, Marquess of Montferrat 12. William VI, Marquess of Montferrat 25. Helena del Bosco 6. Boniface II, Marquess of Montferrat 26. Bonifacio di Clavesana, Count of Cortemiglia 13. Berta di Clavesana 3. Adelheid of Montferrat 28. Thomas I, Count of Savoy 14. Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy 29. Margaret of Geneva 7. Margaret of Savoy 30. Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy 15. Marguerite of Burgundy 31. Beatrice of Albon