"Teutonic Order armies in XVI century" Topic

Does anyone have any information about the the composition of the armies of the Order during its last years? Would the organization of their armies be basically the same as 100 years early, but with Landsknecht Mercenaries? Would they still field Native prussian cavalry?

I can't find it at the moment, but I think the last chapter of Eric Christiansens "The Northern Crusades" covers the period up to 1525.
Medieval Warfare magazine covered the later Teutonic Knights in an article about a year ago.

My memory is, knights/gensdarmes with the regular type of support cavalry (light lancers/mtd crossbows/arquebus) militia foot probably with crossbows, lansknechts and lots of artillery.

At the end of the 15th century, I think there is also record of war wagons, but that may have been the contingent of an ally. Probably a German city or noble.

I read about their last battle, which would have been mid 16th I think, and their defensive tactic there was knight charges supported by well organized artillery fire.

However, a long time since I read most of that stuff, so I have probably missed some things. The Christansen book is worth a read.

The old "Tercio" rules have lists for late 15th century Teutonic Knights and for mid 16th. I cannot find that many differences, all troop types are there, Landsknechts in the earlier list as well. Only obvious difference is the transition from crossbow to arquebus.

Regarding the native Prussian cavalry… I would never claim to be an expert on teutonic history, but I have never heard the Teutonic Order made use of those. Wouldn't the prussians be already assimilated by that time anyway? Both lists do feature light cavalry other than Lithuanians/Tartars, but instead of being classed "feudal" those light cavalry is either regular or mercenary.

By "last years" do you refer to the end of the Teutonic order in Prussia 1525 following the 1519-1521 war with Poland? Or the end of the Livonian Confedracy of which the Livonian branch of the Order was a part in the Livonian War 1558-1562?

Two diffrent forces not only due to the difference in time but due to the diffrent areas which the two branches of the order ruled over.

Dear Phillius, thank you for the suggestions! Do you know which issue of Medieval Warfare deals with the late teutonic knights?

Dear Olivero, I've seem some drawings depicting prussian cavalry (with their distinctive "eastern looking" amor and square shield) in teutonic service as late as 1410. I'm not sure if they would still be employed, and if they would look any different by the 16th century…

Dear Daniel, I'm interested in the Teutonic armies of the 1500s-1520s, such as the one who fought the polish at the 1519-1521 war. Do you know anything about them?

The MW issued is II.2 link

Christiansen does have a few bits of information.
For the war against Poland in 1519-21, he only says that Albert 'placed his hopes in the hiring of German mercenaries and alliances with Denmark or Muscovy – or the Tartars'
The implication is that the alliances were not achieved and in a succession of sieges the Order lost castles until Albert submitted.

There is a bit more for the war between the Livonian brethren and Muscovy 1501-03. Christiansen mentions the initial hiring of 2000 German cavalry and Landsknechts. The number of knights of the order is put at 430 later in 1501. In1502, the army is described as the 'knight-brothers, some 3500 hired foot and horse, a train of guns and the Livonian levy-troops' though no further detail about the Livonian levy is given. Mention is made of hand-guns being helpful, probably in the hands of his mercenaries.

I can't find my copy of Urban's book on the Order's military history so I don't know if he covers this period with any more detail. His 'Tannenberg and After' ought to be even better, but I don't have that.

In the end there were few brother knights left. Most of the army would have been mercenaries and feudal vassals (mainly classed as horde in my fav ancient rules) Both had low morale and were liable to turn on the order. The mercs were better trained.

Light horse early on were vassals I believe. There would be few if any later and probably hired.

My two cents.

Sorry for ressurecting such thread, but does anyone knows if the Teutonic subject baltic cavalry would still be equipped in a distinct "baltic" manner (lamellar or mail armor and the prussian shield, for example) in the 16th century?