Das Rätsel des Vertrags von Lonyz im Kern der Auseinandersetzung zwischen dem Deutschen Orden und dem Bischof Christian von Preußen (1222/1240/1264)

Abstract

The mystery of the Lonyz Treaty (1222) at the heart of the conflict between the Teutonic Order and the Bishop of Prussia Christian

In 1222, at Lonyz, the Duke Conrad of Masovia gave to the bishop in charge of the christianization of Prussia, Christian, some goods in the Culmerland. The existence of three different versions of this treatise (confirmation by the pope in 1223 – two vidimus of 1238/1240 and 1264) has led to many debates between historians. What was the initial donation? Are later versions forgeries? And from whom? From a rereading of the documents and the study of the historical, archaeological and geographical context one arrives at the following hypothesis: the version of 1240 was interpolated by Christian of Prussia to incorporate the land of Löbau and the castles which protected this land. If Christian had indeed ceded his property in the Culmerland to the Order in 1231, he had retained some estates and still had rights in the land of Lubawa (agreement concluded with the Order between April 1240 and April 1242). It would not be strictly speaking of a forgery but of the insertion of legitimate elements to defend the bishop and his estates against the usurpations of the Teutonic Order. The 1264 version was simply updated by the Teutonic Order to take into account territorial changes since the late 1220s (replacement of the Bishop of Prussia by four bishops, agreements with the Dukes of Masovia on the land of Löbau between 1242 and 1257, entrance of the bishop of Culm into the Teutonic Order).