Published in The Middle Ages and the Crusades

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2010_01_11.pdf

The 800th anniversary of the Teutonic Order's occupation of Burzenland (Barcaság) in the eastern part of the medieval Hungary (in the Brasov region in Transylvania – Romania) will be marked in 2011. It is significant because of the role of the Teutonic Military Order as defenders of the Hungarian borders from the invasion of the Cumans heathen tribes into the western part of Hungary. Another issue of significance is the relationship between the role of the Teutonic Order located in Burzenland and their presence in the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem during the thirteenth century, where they held their central headquarters and defended the Kingdom from its enemies. This article will emphasize the idea that the presence of the Teutonic Order in eastern Hungary, in Burzenland, had not been an attempt to divorce itself from the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, where it had its centre which continued to region the Order’s activities. It did serve the Military Order in furthering its institutional authority and standing amongst its membership. It also contributed to their image as defenders and promoted of the Christianity borders and it had reinforced their settlement in Eastern Europe. In this sense, their presence in Hungary was an introduction to the Teutonic tradition and military activities in the Baltic region. Burzenland was not candidate that could or would replace their Crusader Kingdom central religious and political focal place. In fact, their presence in the Latin East had remained and even was further accentuated, for their strengthening entire activity in both the Latin East and Eastern Europe as the defenders of Christendom.