MARCH RELEASE (PART 1) 𐍈 Hermann von Salza, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order (Hochmeister) (Patreon)

Hi everyone, here's the first part of the March release! As more characters were requested here we have Hermann von Salza, the Hochmeister of the Teutonic Order during the Prussian crusade.

This kit includes:

• 2 bodies (with/without helmet)
• 1 horse
• 1 lance

During the Prussian Crusade, Hermann von Salza emerged as a pivotal figure: as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order from 1210 to 1239, Salza navigated medieval politics, forging alliances with both secular and ecclesiastical powers to further the Order's goals.

Christian of Oliva, the first missionary bishop to Prussia, sought assistance from the Teutonic Order against the Prussians in 1226, with the approval of Duke Conrad of Masovia. Although Salza was intrigued by the Polish offer, his primary focus was aiding Emperor Frederick II with the Fifth Crusade to Jerusalem. After meeting Frederick II at Rimini, Salza emphasized the importance of subduing the Prussians to safeguard the Holy Roman Empire's borders. With the Emperor's approval in the Golden Bull of Rimini, the Teutonic Order received Culmerland and any future conquests. The Order's autonomy in territorial acquisitions was reinforced by the Treaty of Kruszwica in 1230, despite disputes over its legitimacy. Subsequently, the Teutonic Knights embarked on campaigns against the Prussian tribes, establishing fortresses and consolidating their control over the region.

In 1230, Hermann von Salza, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, dispatched Conrad von Landsberg with a small force to Masovia to establish a foothold in Culmerland. They seized Vogelsang Castle and began raids against pagans along the Vistula River. The Order focused on building fortresses along the Vistula, aided by Polish, German, and Pomeranian crusaders. They campaigned against neighboring tribes, including the Pomesanians and the Pogesanians, establishing control and founding new settlements. Despite disputes over territorial claims, the Teutonic Knights continued their campaigns, assimilating other military orders and securing papal approval for their conquests. With support from Henry III, Margrave of Meissen, they expanded their control over Natangia and Bartia. In 1243, Pope Innocent IV divided Prussia into dioceses, formalizing the Order's territorial gains.

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What's your favourite version? I like both, but I feel that the one with the great helm slung over the shoulders is not often represented in miniatures: this was in fact a common way of carrying the great helm. Many have been found with holes near the bottom front, through which a toggle was threaded on a long chain or strap attached to the armor. Many are the representations of such a method of carrying great helms, for example the monument of Colaccio Beccadelli.

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DOWNLOAD HERE (IMPORTANT: Download the .RAR files one by one , DON'T right click on the whole "Black Knight Miniatures Release" folder and    hit download, otherwise Google Drive could mess up the file structure)

Everything comes, as always, both Pre-Supported and Unsupported in 28mm scale.

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Please let me know your thoughts in the comments, and if you have any ideas for more teutonic characters from either the prussian crusade or the 13th century in general they would be more than welcome.  Also, if you didn't already, I would be thankful if you were to follow  our Facebook page since we're trying to grow it a bit.