The Teutonic Order was founded in 1190 and it is also known as the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem.

It is a catholic religious order that still lives today, but as of 1929 is only for religious matter.

The order was formed to aid Christians on their pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to establish hospitals. Its members have commonly been known as the Teutonic Knights, having a small voluntary and mercenary military membership, serving as a crusading military order for protection of Christians in the Holy Land and the Baltics during the Middle Ages.