I have been fascinated by the Knights of the Teutonic Order for several years now, but have been frustrated by the relative lack of attention they have received from Osprey. Finally, they have released a title on the Order and, as is often the case with Osprey, the pictures alone make it well worth one's money!
The author David Nicolle needs little introduction, having established himself as Osprey's most prolific writer on the Middle Ages. Though his speciality is Islamic and Central Asian warfare, he has also written several worthy titles on the armies of medieval Europe. The illustrator Graham Turner also specializes in the Middle Ages, having illustrated Osprey titles on early German Medieval Armies and the Armies of the Caliphates, as well as the Warrior title on the Redcoats.
The Teutonic Order was basically a society of German warriors who carved out their own state in Eastern Europe in the 14th and 15th Centuries. They had their beginnings around the same time the Crusaders' conquests were starting to fall away. Though they spent their early years fighting to save the European state centered on Acre, it was not long before they turned their battle-hungry attentions somewhere else-Eastern Europe, the Slavic-Nomad population of which was still partly pagan. Though they suffered a crippling defeat at Tannenburg in 1410, the Knights continued to hack and batter their way through another century and a half of European history before dividing due to religious tensions and fading out of military importance.
Despite their lack of chivalry and culture compared to the knights farther west, the Teutonic Order represented a high point of medieval military power and versatility, utilizing friendly 'natives' to supply the otherwise lacking light cavalry roles in their armies. They clashed with many diverse foes; the Mamluks, the Poles, the Russians, the Prussians, and the Mongols, among many others.
After summarizing the beginnings and conquests of the Order, Nicolle gives a condensed chronology spanning from the 12th to the 16th Centuries. Their organization, leadership, fortifications, and politics are next examine; included in this section is a list of their Priors and Hochmeisters. Next the recruitment and belief and belonging are examined, and after that their arsenal, training, skills, and campaign and siegecraft procedures. The author thens goes on to their experience of battle adn closes his book with a list of collections and significant historical locations. There is also a detailed bibliography and plate commentary.
The plate artwork is excellent and finely detailed. The first plate depicts a leading knight, accompanied by lightly armored footmen, clashing with a Kipchak warlord. Three others depict the Teutonic Knight as he would have appeared, respectively in the 1200's, 1300's, and late 1400's. Other plates depict the Knights negotiating with a Mamluk general, embarking on a raid in the winter in Eastern Europe, and withstanding a Polish siege after their fierce defeat at Tannenburg. The final plate is perhaps the most useful of all, depicting the contemporary fighting and fencing styles used in Germany.
In short, this is a highly useful addition to Osprey's Warrior series and would be, as always, greatly useful to a wargamer, military uniformist, history teacher, or military enthusiast.
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Top reviews from other countries
jean-jacques
on ne peut pas mieux que le titre même du livre
Reviewed in France on May 7, 2022
Nina Munteanu
Small, smart, succinct summary
Reviewed in Canada on September 7, 2012