Hello and welcome to the History of the Germans, Episode 129, Hermann von Salza.

The far-sighted planning of Grandmaster Brother Hermann von Salza had so strengthened the Tutonic

Rö that it had many members in such power, riches and

honor that word of its fame and good reputation had spread the length and breadth of the

Empire.

So describes the chronicler Nicholas of Yer Rochene the role of the fourth and arguably most influential

of the Grandmasters of the Teutonic Knights.

His role in promoting and expanding the Order is hard to exaggerate.

Without his skill and energy, the Teutonic Knights would have ended up like the Order of the Knights of St. Thomas.

Have you never heard of the Knights of St. Thomas?

An English Chevalric Military Order founded as a field hospital during the siege of the city of Accre in 1191.

Well, that is a difference one man can make, at least very occasionally.

Before we get into the story proper, let me briefly reiterate that the history of the Germans

podcast and all its offshoots, including the recently launched separate podcast on the Teutonic

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The very first time we hear of the existence of Hermann von Salza is in the year 1210,

when he is present at the coronation of John of Brienne as King of Jerusalem.

At that point, he is already the master of the knights of the hospital of St. Mary of the Germans in Jerusalem,

...