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( Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights)
The monastic state of the Teutonic Knights (German Deutschordensland), sometimes known in English by the German term Ordensstaat[1] (pronounced ['??dn?s??t??t]), or "Order-State", was formed during the Teutonic Knights' conquest of Prussia and the pagan West-Baltic Old Prussians (Latin Prutenii) in the 13th century. Formed in 1224 during the Northern Crusades by the military order, the monastic state was secularized in 1525 during the Protestant Reformation and was replaced by the Duchy of Prussia in eastern Prussia. The western part of Teutonic Prussia seceded in 1454/60 and formed Royal Prussia. In old texts and in Latin the term Prut(h)enia refers to Teutonic Prussia, Royal Prussia and Ducal Prussia alike. The pertaining comtemporary adjective is Prut(h)enic. Prussia withstood many attempts at conquest preceding the Teutonic Knights'. Boleslaw I the Brave of Poland began the series of unsuccessful conquests when he sent Adalbert of Prague in 997. In 1147, Boleslaw IV of Poland attacked Prussia with the aid of Russian troops, but was unable to conquer it. Numerous other attempts followed, and, under Duke Konrad I of Masovia, were intensified, with large battles and crusades in 1209, 1219, 1220, and 1222.[2] The West- Baltic Prussians successfully repelled most of the campaigns and managed to strike Konrad in retaliation. However the Prussians and Yotvingians had their territory in the south conquered. The Yotvingians land was situated in the area of what is today Podlesia. The Prussians' attempted to oust Polish or Masovian forces from Sudovia and Kulmerland or Chelmno Land, which had by now was partially conquered, devastated and almost totally depopulated. Konrad of Masovia had already called a crusade against Prussians in 1208, but was not successful. Konrad, acting on the advice of Christian, first bishop of Prussia, established the Dobriner Orden Order of Dobrzyn, a small group of 15 knights. The Order, however, was soon defeated and, in reaction, Konrad called on the Pope for yet another crusade and for help from the Teutonic Knights. As a result, several edicts called for crusades against the Prussians. The crusades, involving many of Europe's knights, lasted for sixty years.
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