Poppo von Osterna
Encyclopedia
Poppo von Osterna was the ninth Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights
, serving from 1252-56 or 1257.
Poppo hailed from a family with rich knight
ly traditions which resided in Osternohe, just outside Nuremberg
in Franconia
. He joined the Teutonic Order in 1228 and was one of the first friar
s to settle in Prussia
. In 1233, Poppo took part in localisation of the town of Kulm (Chełmno). He became the Prussian Master in 1240 and in 1241 fought in the Battle of Legnica
although the participation of the Teutonic Knights in the battle is questionable. In 1242 Poppo went to Austria
with a German legation
to collect money for war with Duke Świętopełk II of Pomerania. From 1248-53, Poppo resided in Germany
, becoming the ninth Grand Master in 1253. The pro-papal minority did not agree with the capitulum
's choice and chose Wilhelm von Urenbach
as their rival Grand Master.
After being chosen Grand Master, Poppo went to Prussia to start a war against the Sudovians.
In 1254 he went with a legation to King Ottokar II of Bohemia
and received needed military help to start crusades in Sambia
in 1254 and 1255. After the conquest of Sambia, Poppo built several castles around the Vistula Lagoon
, including Königsberg
.
While Landmeister, Poppo supposedly led a detachment of Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Legnica
in 1241 and was killed by the Mongols
. However, the presence of Teutonic Knights in the battle is uncertain. Poppo did die and was buried at Legnica (Liegnitz)
, but years later while visiting his wife's nunnery and after serving as Grand Master.
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...
, serving from 1252-56 or 1257.
Poppo hailed from a family with rich knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ly traditions which resided in Osternohe, just outside Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
in Franconia
Franconia
Franconia is a region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria, a small part of southern Thuringia, and a region in northeastern Baden-Württemberg called Tauberfranken...
. He joined the Teutonic Order in 1228 and was one of the first friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
s to settle 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...
. In 1233, Poppo took part in localisation of the town of Kulm (Chełmno). He became the Prussian Master in 1240 and in 1241 fought in the Battle of Legnica
Battle of Legnica
The Battle of Legnica , also known as the Battle of Liegnitz or Battle of Wahlstatt , was a battle between the Mongol Empire and the combined defending forces of European fighters that took place at Legnickie Pole near the city of Legnica in Silesia on 9 April 1241.A combined force of Poles,...
although the participation of the Teutonic Knights in the battle is questionable. In 1242 Poppo went to Austria
Archduchy of Austria
The Archduchy of Austria , one of the most important states within the Holy Roman Empire, was the nucleus of the Habsburg Monarchy and the predecessor of the Austrian Empire...
with a German legation
Legation
A legation was the term used in diplomacy to denote a diplomatic representative office lower than an embassy. Where an embassy was headed by an Ambassador, a legation was headed by a Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary....
to collect money for war with Duke Świętopełk II of Pomerania. From 1248-53, Poppo resided in 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...
, becoming the ninth Grand Master in 1253. The pro-papal minority did not agree with the capitulum
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
's choice and chose Wilhelm von Urenbach
Wilhelm von Urenbach
Wilhelm von Urenbach was chosen as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order in 1253 in opposition to Grand Master Poppo von Osterna, elected by the majority of the knights...
as their rival Grand Master.
After being chosen Grand Master, Poppo went to Prussia to start a war against the Sudovians.
In 1254 he went with a legation to King Ottokar II of Bohemia
Ottokar II of Bohemia
Ottokar II , called The Iron and Golden King, was the King of Bohemia from 1253 until 1278. He was the Duke of Austria , Styria , Carinthia and Carniola also....
and received needed military help to start crusades in Sambia
Sambia
Sambia or Samland is a peninsula in the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia, on the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The Curonian Lagoon and the Vistula Lagoon demarcate the peninsula. Prior to 1945 it formed an important part of East Prussia.-Names:Sambia is named after the Sambians, an extinct...
in 1254 and 1255. After the conquest of Sambia, Poppo built several castles around the Vistula Lagoon
Vistula Lagoon
The Vistula Lagoon is a fresh water lagoon on the Baltic Sea separated from Gdańsk Bay by the Vistula Spit. It is sometimes known as the Vistula Bay or Vistula Gulf. The modern German name, Frisches Haff, is derived from an earlier form, Friesisches Haff. Both this term and the earlier Polish...
, including 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...
.
While Landmeister, Poppo supposedly led a detachment of Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Legnica
Battle of Legnica
The Battle of Legnica , also known as the Battle of Liegnitz or Battle of Wahlstatt , was a battle between the Mongol Empire and the combined defending forces of European fighters that took place at Legnickie Pole near the city of Legnica in Silesia on 9 April 1241.A combined force of Poles,...
in 1241 and was killed by the Mongols
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
. However, the presence of Teutonic Knights in the battle is uncertain. Poppo did die and was buried at Legnica (Liegnitz)
Legnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
, but years later while visiting his wife's nunnery and after serving as Grand Master.