Published: 2021-02-011

Daily expenses of the Grand Marshal of the Teutonic Order between 1433 and 1435

Marek Radoch
Echa Przeszłości
Section: ARTICLES
https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.6342

Abstract

A detailed analysis of the accounts dating back to the late 1433, as well as 1434 and 1435 indicates that:

  • the Grand Marshal’s expenses during his term in Königsberg were related to:

- the purchase of: beverages (ale, wine and mead), fish (herring, cod and others), oil, vinegar, peas, onions, mustard seeds, krude (spices, dried fruit and nuts, rice, sugar or other products served during royal feasts), kitchen equipment; fabrics and furs, parchment for writing, wax for seals and candles, pine tar for protecting horse hooves and greasing cart axles, horses, horse plows and crossbows;

- payments: to a dwarf, musicians, a lutenist, trombonist, trumpeter, dancing damsels, falconers, for the purchase of falcons, to a painter (including for the painting of St. Erasmus), goldsmith (including for silver owls), tailor, hatmaker, washerwoman, shoemaker, bath keeper, barber, blacksmith, cartwright, stable boys, canner, charcoal burner, skipper, farm workers, servants; for the repair of a stable yard and a shooting range;

- salaries paid to: Nicolaus, the Grand Marshal’s scribe, senior choir chaplain, choir chaplain and diner (members of the household);

- financial support for: people in need (elderly former clerks, ill priests, pilgrims, active religious clerks, knights, townsmen (merchants) and viting (Prussian magnates faithful to the Teutonic Order);

  • The Grand Marshal's expenses during visits to the Teutonic Order’s properties in Lower Prussia:

- frequent trips to Wałdowo (Waldow), including expenses incurred during the visits of the Grand Master, the Land Marshal of Livonia, and the Grand Commander; purchase of pigs, calves, rams, hens, eggs, game, fish, beverages, salt, oats, wax for seals; repair of the bathhouse, repair of the rain gutter above the Grand Marshal's room, installation of glass windows in living quarters;

- regular visits to the coast (Lochstadt, Sarkawa, Szaki and Rosity), including meetings with the Great Commander, the Land Marshal of Livonia, the Master of Livonia, Duke of Lithuania Świdrygiełło, and the Curonians; purchase of oats, Gdańsk ale, mugs, glass vessels, jugs, bridles and salt; payments to coopers and saddlers;

- short visits, including one-time visits to Gierdawy (Gerdauen) and Węgorzewo (Angerburg) in 1434; one-time visits to Rudawa (Rudau), Krzemity (Kremitten), Judyty, Tapiawa, Pokarmin (Brandenburg), Frydląd (Friedland) and Alembork (Allenburg) in 1435; multiple visits to Kaporn, Galtgarben, Pobethen and Memel (Klaipeda); entertaining the Land Marshal of Livonia in Rudawa; building of a barn in Kaporn and an extension of the Memel castle.

  • The Grand Marshal's expenses during travel to other parts of the monastic state:

- congresses in Elbląg (Elbing) and Toruń (Thorn); visits to Malbork, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Przezmark (Preussisch Mark) and Dąbrówno (Gilgenburg); purchase of wine, fish and oats.

Keywords:

daily life, expenses, tour, Grand Marshal, Teutonic order

Download files

Citation rules

Radoch, M. (2021). Daily expenses of the Grand Marshal of the Teutonic Order between 1433 and 1435. Echa Przeszłości, (XXI/2), 9–44. https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.6342

Cited by / Share


This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.