Die Visitation als Mittel traditioneller Ordensstruktur nach 1466

The loss of the significant part of the territory by the Monastic State of the Teutonic Order after 1466 entailed structural changes in the state. Inspections constituted an important scrutinizing factor in various fields of life. They were a permanent element of the reforms undertaken in the Teutonic Order. The expertise of the inspectors originally were not precisely defined. However, with time they became more and precise. In the times of the rule of Grand Master Heinrich Reuß von Plauen we know only about one inspection from the Austrian bailiff in 1469. During the rule of the subsequent Grand Master Heinrich Reffle von Richtenberg (1470–1477) no inspection was recorded. During the times of Martin Truchsess von Wetzhausen (1477–1489) problems connected with the reform of the monastic life in Prussia were addressed. The discussion concerned the problem of poverty among Teutonic brothers. The great inspection was planned to take place in 1481 prior to the General Chapter. However, the General Chapter did not take place. The inspection of Livonia was postponed for 1488. In the times of Johann von Tiefen (1489–1497) the forms of inspection applied so far were discussed. One of the evidences of this discussion was a letter written by the secretary of the Grand Master’s chancery Dr Michale Sculteti, which included forms intended for the inspection. Friedrich von Sachsen-Meißen (1498–1510) at the turn of 1498/1499 issued a regulation concerning inspections and appointed inspectors. In 1502 a detailed catalogue of questions was compiled in the Teutonic chancellery as it had been earlier done by Sculteti. In the times when the Grand Commander was Simon von Drahe (1507–1510) inspections became an important tool of the internal policy of the Grand Master Friedrich von Sachsen. The decision of the General Chapter saying that an inspection should take place every year in the Teutonic Order was enforced. However, in the times of the Grand Master Albrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach (1511–1525) inspections ceased to play an essential role in the internal policy. Only one inspection from this period is recorded – in 1519.