Heinrich Dusemer von Arfberg (died 1353 in Bratian) was the 21st
Grand Master of the
Teutonic Knights, serving from 1345-51.
Dusemer hailed from
Swabia and joined the Teutonic Order in 1311. As a young knight he fought against the
Lithuanians. Legend has it that he frequently would duel with
Grand Duke Vytenis. Owing to his bravery and fighting prowess, he advanced in the Order's hierarchy quickly.
In 1318 he becomes a member of a convent on a castle in
Labiau and in 1329 Komtur of
Ragnit. In 1333 he became the
Vogt of
Sambia and in 1334 the Komtur of
Brandenburg (Frisches Haff). A year later, Dusemer became the
Grand Marshal and the Komtur of
Königsberg. In 1339 he came into conflict with Grand Master
Dietrich von Altenburg and as a punishment was degraded. He was sent to
Strasburg where he took over the komturship. He was reinstated by the next Grand Master,
Ludolf König.
On
December 13,
1345, the Order's
capitulum in
Marienburg chose Dusemer as the next Grand Master, as after several defeats the Order needed someone with battlefield experience. Shortly after being chosen the Grand Master, Dusemer retaliated and attacked Lithuania in a campaign which ended with a total victory over the Lithuanian army by the
Strawa River on
February 2,
1349.
The planned conquest of Lithuania had to be averted, however, as the
Black Death had reached
Prussia and forced Dusemer to withdraw his army from the conquered lands. Although the Order was able to regroup afterward, Dusemer decided to resign as the Grand Master. After
Winrich von Kniprode was named as his replacement, Dusemer settled in
Brattian where he did not hold any important functions.
Dusemer died in 1353 in Bratian and was buried in the
Marienburg Castle in a
mausoleum under the
Chapel of
St. Anna.
Category:1351 deathsCategory:Grand Masters of the Teutonic KnightsCategory:German nobilityCategory:Burials in the Chapel of St. Anne, Marienburg (Malbork)de:Heinrich Dusemerit:Heinrich Dusemerlt:Heinrichas Dusemerispl:Heinrich IV Dusemer von Arfbergsl:Heinrich Dusemer
