Spiritual Salvation and Knightly Valour: The Identity of the Teutonic Knights as Reflected in their Symbolic Actions

• Applicant: Nicholas Youmans, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Medieval History
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 376776809

The aim of the project is to clarify the dual socio-cultural inclusion of the military-religious orders on the example of the Teutonic Knights, whose members belonged both to the state of the combatants and to that of the praying. In this context, it is presumed that the institutional duality of the military-religious orders, which comprised various functions and guiding ideals, was expressed in simultaneous symbolic actions. Precisely this dynamic constitutes the thematic core of the project. It is intended to contribute to clarifying the question of the identity of these hybrid orders within the spectrum of medieval forms of community. The investigation operates based on the assumption that the Teutonic Order in particular, due to its pronounced institutionality, which included comprehensive territorial sovereignty and a once high identity-creating reputation, is suitable for an exemplary analysis of symbolic acts in the military-religious orders - also on account of its comparatively manageable inventory of source material, which promises assured results within the limited scope of the project's duration.Two specific but nevertheless quite overlapping dimensions of symbolic action become apparent in the project work: repetitive rituals and unique performative acts. It is assumed that the rituals and performative acts of military-religious orders concern overarching ideals of both the monastic and the knightly societal states. In order to facilitate the project's envisaged analytical line of interpretation in terms of research-oriented pragmatism, certain functional mechanisms of symbolic action should be distinguished. The following types seem to be particularly suitable: Communal symbolic acts can contribute to an effect of self-affirmation or convey a sense of shared identity. One of the surest means of legitimacy contention in the Middle Ages was by means of establishing an identity according to pre-determined models of legitimacy. Other symbolic conduct in its turn exhibits the tremendous potential of the military-religious orders to construct an order-immanent pattern of legitimacy. Furthermore, symbolic actions provide the output of considerable internal integration and stabilisation. Likewise, symbolic acts take place by delimiting and delegitimising the other. Lastly, symbolic comportment can be a form of (representative) interaction with the outside world.Following an initial viewing of the source material, it can be seen that such symbolic acts may regard either knighthood or monasticism - but also at times both identity models at once. By studying these various references, one shall gain a better understanding of the personal and hence functional nature of the Teutonic Knights and - in a broader sense - of military-religious orders in general.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants