Konrad von Erlichshausen

Konrad von Erlichshausen (died 7 November 1449) was the 30th Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, serving from 1441 to 1449.

Konrad came from Ellrichshausen in Swabia, now part of Satteldorf in Baden-Württemberg. Early in his career he was a close ally of Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg and later on he held the positions of Grand Komtur and Grand Marshal.

After its defeat in the Battle of Grunwald (1410) and the resulting First Peace of Thorn (1411), the Order's power declined both in and outside their state. Credits had to be sought from abroad and high taxes caused opposition within Prussia and its Hanseatic cities. Konrad's opinion was in conflict with Grand Master Paul von Rusdorf, which caused his demotion to a lesser position. He led the opposition in the Order which forced von Rusdorf to resign as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order on 2 January 1441.

After being chosen Grand Master in 1441, Konrad tried to reform the Teutonic Order and tried to negotiate a compromise with the Prussian cities and gentry who had formed the Prussian Confederation.

During his tenure in 1443, Konrad issued the document that granted town privileges to Arys (Orzysz) with an area of 790,000 ha. While visiting Seehesten (Szestno) he renewed the town rights of Sensburg (Mrągowo) on 20 February 1444. Later that year he founded Krausendorf (Kruszewiec) near Rastenburg (Kętrzyn).

Konrad's plans were never fully realized as he died in Castle Marienburg (Malbork) in 1449 and was buried in a mausoleum under the Chapel of Saint Anna, like most of the other Grand Masters. He was succeeded by his nephew Ludwig von Erlichshausen, who led the Order into further decline and into the Thirteen Years' War.

References

• Friedrich Borchert: "Die Hochmeister des Deutschen Ordens in Preußen." In: Preußische Allgemeine Zeitung, 6 October 2001.