Albert Duke of Prussia

Definition

Albert Duke of Prussia was the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, who converted to Lutheranism and secularized his territories into the Duchy of Prussia during the Protestant Reformation in 1525.

Analogy

Think of Albert as a team captain who decides to switch teams mid-game. He was leading one team (the Teutonic Knights), but then decided he liked the strategies and ideas of another team (Lutheranism) better, so he switched sides and brought his territory with him.

Related terms

Teutonic Knights: A Catholic religious order formed during the late 12th century, known for their involvement in military campaigns, particularly against pagan Baltic tribes.

Protestant Reformation: A major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Roman Catholic Church and led to the creation of Protestant churches.

Secularization: The transformation of a society from close identification with religious values and institutions toward nonreligious values and secular institutions.