Peter of Dusburg
Encyclopedia
Peter of Dusburg also known as Peter of Duisburg, was a Priest
-Brother and chronicler of the Teutonic Knights
. He is known for writing the Chronicon terrae Prussiae
, which described the 13th and early 14th century Teutonic Knights and Old Prussians
in Prussia
.
Peter's dates of birth and death are unknown, although he lived from the second half of the 13th century until the first half of the 14th century. Initially it was thought he was from Duisburg
, Germany
, and in some texts he is referred to as "Peter of Duisburg". Other research indicates he may have instead come from Doesburg
, now in the Netherlands
.
In 1324, probably while in Königsberg
,, Peter began working on his Chronicon terrae Prussiae on behalf of Grand Master Werner von Orseln
. By 1326, he had finished expanding upon the now-lost work of a Latinist who had written about the campaigns of the early Prussian Crusade
. That version was subsequently revised to include events up to 1330.
From 1331-35, Nikolaus von Jeroschin
translated Peter's chronicle into Middle High German
on behalf of Grand Master Luther von Braunschweig
.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
-Brother and chronicler of the Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
. He is known for writing the Chronicon terrae Prussiae
Chronicon terrae Prussiae
Chronicon terrae Prussiae is a chronicle of the Teutonic Knights, by Peter of Dusburg, finished in 1326. The manuscript is the first major chronicle of the Teutonic Order in Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, completed some 100 years after the conquest of the crusaders into the Baltic region...
, which described the 13th and early 14th century Teutonic Knights and Old Prussians
Old Prussians
The Old Prussians or Baltic Prussians were an ethnic group, autochthonous Baltic tribes that inhabited Prussia, the lands of the southeastern Baltic Sea in the area around the Vistula and Curonian Lagoons...
in Prussia
Prussia (region)
Prussia is a historical region in Central Europe extending from the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea to the Masurian Lake District. It is now divided between Poland, Russia, and Lithuania...
.
Peter's dates of birth and death are unknown, although he lived from the second half of the 13th century until the first half of the 14th century. Initially it was thought he was from Duisburg
Duisburg
- History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and in some texts he is referred to as "Peter of Duisburg". Other research indicates he may have instead come from Doesburg
Doesburg
Doesburg Doesburg Doesburg (Dutch is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands in the province of Gelderland. Doesburg received city rights in 1237 and currently has 11,602 inhabitants (1 January 2007, source: CBS). The city is situated on the right bank of river IJssel, at the...
, now in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
In 1324, probably while in Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
,, Peter began working on his Chronicon terrae Prussiae on behalf of Grand Master Werner von Orseln
Werner von Orseln
Werner von Orseln was the 17th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, serving from 1324 to 1330.Von Orseln hailed from a noble family of vogts of the Counts of Falkenstein in Oberursel near Frankfurt. It is not known when he joined the Teutonic Order...
. By 1326, he had finished expanding upon the now-lost work of a Latinist who had written about the campaigns of the early Prussian Crusade
Prussian Crusade
The Prussian Crusade was a series of 13th-century campaigns of Roman Catholic crusaders, primarily led by the Teutonic Knights, to Christianize the pagan Old Prussians. Invited after earlier unsuccessful expeditions against the Prussians by Polish princes, the Teutonic Knights began campaigning...
. That version was subsequently revised to include events up to 1330.
From 1331-35, Nikolaus von Jeroschin
Nikolaus von Jeroschin
Nikolaus von Jeroschin was a 14th century German chronicler of the Teutonic Knights in Prussia.Nikolaus was a chaplain of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights. In 1328, he translated the Vita Sancti Adalberti of Johannes Canaparius into Middle High German...
translated Peter's chronicle into Middle High German
Middle High German
Middle High German , abbreviated MHG , is the term used for the period in the history of the German language between 1050 and 1350. It is preceded by Old High German and followed by Early New High German...
on behalf of Grand Master Luther von Braunschweig
Luther von Braunschweig
Luther von Braunschweig was the 18th Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, serving from 1331-35....
.