Der hochen Deutschen Ritterordens Buech [.] (= drop-title on fol. 5r).

4to. (5), 129 ff. German and Latin manuscript on paper, written in a 17th century hand. With 3 heraldic crosses showing the coats of arms of the Teutonic Order (a black cross) and 4 drawings showing costumes of several members of the order, all executed in watercolours with some albumen highlights. 20th century calf, blind-ruled double fillet borders on both boards, spine ruled in blind and lettered in green. Highly interesting 17th century German manuscript of the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic or German Order. Founded in 1190, it was primarily founded as a military society with its Teutonic Knights serving crusadings Christians in the Holy Land during the Middle Ages. In time, the Order also developed into a Catholic religious institution, although it would not lose its military function until the 20th century. - The present manuscript opens with a short history of the Order, beginning with the year 1190 and ending in 1606. It continues with the statutes, divided into several chapters, which are interspersed with prayers in Latin. This combination of statutes and prayers gives evidence that the Teutonic Order was not merely a military order, but also had a strong focus on religion. This is also reflected in the liturgical calendar, which is part of a chapter of the statutes, listing the saints and their feast days as celebrated by the Order. The end of the work (fol. 125) states that Maximilian III of Austria approved the statutes. Maximilian (1558-1618) was the Grand Master of the Order from 1585 until his death. The date 1606, as well as his passing in 1618, suggest that the manuscript was written in the first quarter of the 17th century. - The last five leaves of the manuscript appear to contain the names of the Landkomturs who ruled the various bailiwicks of the Holy Roman Empire's commanderies. These Landkomturs, subordinate to the Grand Master, were very often important German noblemen. - Uncommonly for this type of text, this manuscript is illustrated: the first illustrated leaf shows three black crosses, forming the arms of the Teutonic Order, including that of the Grand Master. The Grand Master's coat of arms is a black cross with a golden cross superimposed upon it, with an imperial eagle in the centre. It continues with four illustrations showing the typical costumes of several members of the Order. The second illustration in this series shows the white overcoats bearing a black cross, such as were typically worn by the Knights since 1205. - Only a few very minor spots, overall in very good condition. According to a 21st century inscription in pencil on the first endpaper, the manuscript was formerly part of the collection of the Belgian historian and politician Philippe Kervyn de Volkaersbeke (1815-81). Altogether a rare survival, and a rich source of information on the formal organisation of the most important 17th century German Order, but also on their statutes and their religious customs and habits. The manuscript beautifully reflects the religious as well as the military character of the Teutonic Order.