Heinrich Reuß von Plauen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heinrich Reuß von Plauen |
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| Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights | |
| Reign | 1469–1470 |
| Predecessor | Ludwig von Erlichshausen |
| Successor | Heinrich Reffle von Richtenberg |
| Born | c.1400 Plauen, Saxony |
| Died | 2 January 1470 Königsberg, State of the Teutonic Order |
| Burial | Königsberg Cathedral |
| House | House of Reuß |
Heinrich Reuß von Plauen (died January 2, 1470) was a powerful leader of the Teutonic Order. He served as the 32nd Grand Master of this religious military group from 1467 to 1470. He was related to two other Grand Masters: his uncle, Ludwig von Erlichshausen, and a distant relative, Heinrich von Plauen.
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Who Was Heinrich Reuß von Plauen?
Heinrich Reuß von Plauen came from the Reuss family, a noble family from Plauen in Saxony. This family had a unique tradition: they named every boy born into their family "Heinrich" (which means Henry). Before him, two other family members, Heinrich Reuss von Plauen the Elder and Heinrich Reuss von Plauen the Younger, had fought in a big conflict called the Thirteen Years' War.
Early Life and Joining the Order
Heinrich Reuß von Plauen joined the Teutonic Order when he was quite young. He first served as a brother in a monastery in Germany. In the 1420s, he moved to Prussia. There, he became a "Vogt" (a type of local administrator) in Dirschau.
He quickly rose through the ranks. In 1433, he became a "Komtur" (a commander of a district) in Balga. By 1440, he was the Vogt of Natangia. From 1441, he held the important role of Grand Hospitaller, which meant he was in charge of the Order's hospitals. He was also the Komtur of Elbing (now Elbląg). Because he was the nephew of the Grand Master, his power and influence within the Order grew very fast.
A Leader in War
Heinrich Reuß von Plauen took command of the Order's army during the Thirteen Years' War. He became well-known for his military skills. He led the Teutonic Knights to a big victory against the Polish army in the Battle of Konitz in 1454.
After the war ended with the Second Peace of Thorn treaty in 1466, Heinrich Reuß von Plauen became the Komtur of Preußisch Holland.
Becoming Grand Master
In 1467, his uncle, Grand Master Ludwig von Erlichshausen, passed away. Heinrich Reuß von Plauen then took control of the Teutonic Order. However, he had not been officially elected Grand Master yet. He stayed in Mohrungen and waited to see what King Casimir IV Jagiellon of Poland would do. He was slow to call a meeting of the Order's "capitulum" (a special council) to officially elect him.
King Casimir IV put pressure on him. Finally, Heinrich called the capitulum meeting in 1469 in Königsberg. This meeting was mostly a formality. Everyone agreed, and Heinrich Reuß von Plauen was officially declared the 32nd Grand Master of the Teutonic Order on October 17, 1469.
His Final Years
After becoming Grand Master, Heinrich Reuß von Plauen traveled to Piotrków Trybunalski. There, he attended a "sejm" (a type of parliament meeting). He paid "homage" to King Casimir IV, which meant he showed his loyalty and respect.
On his journey back to Prussia, he suffered a stroke. This made him paralyzed, and he could not travel any further. Heinrich Reuß von Plauen died in Mohrungen on January 2, 1470. He was buried in Königsberg Cathedral.
