Conrad Zöllner von Rothenstein
Konrad publican of the Red Stone (* about 1325 probably in Birkenfeld ( Haßberge ); † August 20, 1390 in Christchurch Castle ) was from 1382 to 1390 the 23rd Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. His name is also written in the variants " Conrad ", " Zollner " and " Red ( t) enstein ". Zollner Rottenstein are named after the former castle Rottenstein Frankish knights.
Life
Konrad was 1353 nurses of Prussian marrow and in 1368 Commander of Gdansk. In 1372 he became chief TRAPPIER and Commander of Christ castle. Although he was not with influential knights in closer contact and was no political experience, Conrad was elected after the death of Grand Master Winrich von Kniprode on October 5, 1382 Grand Master. His main concern was to address the internal problems of the country. The command of the troops and the war with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, he left Konrad von Wallenrode, who was appointed to the Order Marshal and Commander of Königsberg. 1383 fails the prepared at great expense baptism of the Lithuanian Grand Duke.
Konrad reformed the administrative units of Prussia, supported the development of unsettled areas, and tried to found a university in Kulm, but in 1387 failed. He gave Passenheim 1386 the municipal law. In his capacity as a financial expert his attention as its predecessor was already the further struggle against usury. 1386 there was a further reduction in the maximum interest rate of 10 % to 8.33 %; Offenses were punished with the entry of capital.
As of 1386, the foreign political situation worsened by the Union of Poland - Lithuania, the simultaneous Christianization of the Lithuanian Grand Duke and its ascent to Polish kings.
Under Konrad first signs of a crisis of the Order state were visible; reinforced by the plague epidemic of 1383 and floods, crop failures, decrease the fishing results and decline in trade with Poland.
Conrad died in Christchurch Castle. His body was buried at the Marienburg in the mausoleum of the Grand Master of the Chapel of St. Anna.