Konrad von Erlichshausen (died 7 November 1449) was the 30th
Grand Master of the
Teutonic Knights, serving from 1441-49.
Konrad came from Ellrichshausen in
Swabia, now part of
Satteldorf in
Baden-Württemberg. Early in his career he was a close ally of
Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg and later on he held the positions of
Grand Komtur and
Grand Marshal.
After its defeat in the
Battle of Grunwald (1410) and the resulting
First Peace of Thorn (1411), the Order's power declined both in and outside their
Ordenstaat. Credits had to be sought from abroad and high taxes caused opposition within
Prussia and its
Hanseatic cities. Konrad's opinion was in conflict with Grand Master
Paul von Rusdorf, which caused his demotion to a lesser position. He led the opposition in the Order which forced von Rusdorf to resign as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order on 2 January 1441.
After being chosen Grand Master in 1441, Konrad tried to reform the Teutonic Order and tried to negotiate a compromise with the Prussian cities and gentry who had formed the
Prussian Confederation.
During his tenure in 1443, Konrad issued the
Handfeste that legally founded
Arys (Orzysz) with an area of 790,000
ha. While visiting
Seehesten (Szestno) he renewed the
town rights of
Sensburg (Mrągowo) on 20 February 1444. Later that year he founded
Krausendorf (Kruszewiec) near
Rastenburg (Kętrzyn).
Konrad's plans were never fully realized as he died in
Castle Marienburg in 1449 and was buried in a
mausoleum under the Chapel of
Saint Anna, like most of the other Grand Masters. He was succeeded by his nephew
Ludwig von Erlichshausen, who led the Order into further decline and into the
Thirteen Years' War.
Category:Year of birth missingCategory:1449 deathsCategory:Grand Masters of the Teutonic KnightsCategory:German nobilityCategory:People from the District of Schwäbisch HallCategory:Burials in the Chapel of St. Anne, Marienburg (Malbork)Category:Articles lacking sources (Erik9bot)de:Konrad von Erlichshausenit:Konrad von Erlichshausenlt:Konradas fon Erlichshauzenaspl:Konrad von Erlichshausen
