Dietrich von Altenburg
Dietrich von Altenburg ( † October 1341 in Thorn ) was the 19th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order from 1335 to 1341.
He was a son of the viscount Dietrich II von Altenburg ( † 1303). His species has held a prominent position in Pleissenland as holder of the direct imperial castle county Altenburg. His father was succeeded in 1303 by his brother Albrecht IV on. Since this 1329 died without male offspring, Dietrich von Altenburg was the last of his race.
1307, he joined the Order. In the years 1320-1324 he was Commander of Ragnit and in the years 1326 to 1331 he held the position in Balga ( Honeda ) holds.
From 1331 he served as Marshal Order of the war against Poland and conquered for the Order Kuyavian Meanwhile, Duke Vladislav Lokietek. He was militarily the most active, although he always strove to achieve a lasting peace with Poland.
As Grand Master, he worked intensively with the construction and expansion of Ordensburgen 1335 Anger, Burg Lötzen, 1336 Insterburg Baier castle on the Memel; Creating fortified with ditches paths through the "wilderness"; Continuation of fortification works in Marienburg and Schwetz; Establishment of a mighty Teutonic castle in Gdansk at the site of the old Duke castle.
In the Marienburg he began the expansion of St. Mary's Church, the construction of the main tower, erected the Madonna statue and completed the Anne Chapel. He built the first permanent bridge across the Nogat with a bridge port.
Dietrich von Altenburg adopted a number of amendments to the Rule relating to the provisions on the repentance and spiritual exercises. Furthermore, it was prohibited for reasons of modesty and simplicity, the use of personal coat of arms and the use of personal seal. The Grand Master should only use the black cross with applied golden crutch cross and imperial eagle.
After an illness he died in October 1341 in Torun (Polish: Toruń ), where he was to conclude an agreement with Poland. He was the first Grand Master, who was buried in the chapel Anne. His grave stone can still be seen.