The Recruitment of Brethren for the Teutonic Order in Livonia, 1237–1562

Although, throughout its history, the Teutonic Order received both nonGermans and non-nobles, from its beginnings it was dominated by the lower aristocracy or gentry. ¹ Despite the fact that the Rule of the Order, which dates from the mid-thirteenth century, places no restrictions on recruitment, at the beginning of the fourteenth century (or perhaps even a few years earlier) the Grand Master Dietrich of Altenburg demanded, for the first time, that candidates for reception should be of noble birth, although he did admit exceptions. Subsequently, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the Teutonic Order made the recruitment of non-noblemen more difficult and, by the end of the fifteenth century, was demanding proof of four noble ancestors. ² These rules applied to the entire Order and were accordingly followed by the masters of Livonia in the reception of brethren for their branch of the Teutonic Order.