- Poppo von Osterna
Poppo von Osterna (died 1257) 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 inOsternohe , just outsideNuremberg inFranconia . He joined the Teutonic Order in 1228 and was one of the firstfriar 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 theBattle of Legnica although the participation of the Teutonic Knights in the battle is questionable. In 1242 Poppo went to Austria with a Germanlegation to collect money for war with DukeŚwiętopełk II of Pomerania . From 1248-53, Poppo resided inGermany , becoming the ninth Grand Master in 1253. The pro-papal minority did not agree with the capitulum's choice and choseWilhelm 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 KingOttokar II of Bohemia and received needed military help to start crusades inSambia in 1254 and 1255. After the conquest of Sambia, Poppo built several castles around theVistula Lagoon , includingKönigsberg .While "Landmeister", Poppo supposedly led a detachment of Teutonic Knights at the
Battle of Legnica in 1241 and was killed by theMongols . 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.References
*Klaus Militzer. Poppo von Osterna (Osternohe) 1252-1256. In: Arnold, Udo (Ed.), "Die Hochmeister des Deutschen Ordens 1190-1994". Quellen und Studien zur Geschichte des Deutschen Ordens 40 = Veröffentlichungen der Internationalen Historischen Kommission zur Erforschung des Deutschen Ordens 6. Marburg 1998, page 27. ISBN 3-7708-1104-6
*William Urban. "The Teutonic Knights: A Military History". Greenhill Books. London. 2003. ISBN 1-85367-535-0
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