Spittler (office)
The highest Spittler or Großspittler was one of the closest advisers to the Grand Master in the Teutonic Order , to whom the hospital system was subordinate as a major . There is also a corresponding office in the hierarchy of the Templar Order , whose structures were adopted by the Teutonic Order.
The Grand Master's closest circle of advisors included five large area officers, these were the Grand Commander as a direct representative, the Order Marshal for the war system, the top Tressler for finance, the top Trappier for the clothing industry and the top Spittler for the hospital system and thus also for the health sector. and nursing of the order.
After the office of landmaster was combined with that of grand master in 1309 and the seat was moved to the Marienburg , the Teutonic Order Castle in Elbing, today Elbląg , became the seat of the highest Spittler. This castle was conquered by the Prussian Confederation in 1454 and later completely demolished. Also from 1309 the Heilig-Geist-Spital was the main hospital of the Teutonic Order, which can be traced back to the residence of the Spittler in Elbing. The city library is now located in the hospital's preserved buildings.
In addition to other central offices, Werner von Tettingen was top Spittler at the beginning of the 15th century and in 1410 led the Elbingen contingent into the campaign against Poland and Lithuania. Tettingen was the only one who survived the battle of Tannenberg . The office was exercised by Heinrich Rabensteiner zu Döhlau in 1440 and 1441 .
literature
- Christofer Herrmann: Castles in the Order of Prussia - Handbook on the Teutonic Order and Bishop's Burgers in East and West Prussia . Petersberg / Olsztyn 2015. ISBN 978-3-7319-0233-1 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Herrmann, p. 19f.
- ↑ Herrmann, p. 65.
- ^ Arnold von Dobenck ( Alban von Dobenck ): On the history of the extinct family of the Rabensteiner von Doehlau. In: Archive for the history of Upper Franconia . Bayreuth 1914. pp. 67f.