Ministeriales and Rittern

here are two types of German knights, Ministeriales (who own land), and Rittern (unlanded warriors whose influence varies according to the wealth and power of their liege). Although both are accepted as nobles, the Ministeriales (meaning 'ministers') are far more prestigious. They were originally Imperial representatives of the Emperor, brought to existence at the beginning of the 12th century, but in recent decades they have grown independent. They still, however, largely support the Hohenstaufens in their claim to the throne of the Empire. Ministeriales are not free men, nor are the more numerous Ritters, but rather are born into servitude, and their offspring are similarly indebted (note that English and French knights are free men). The liege of a German knight is determined matrilineally, so there is a great deal of political advantage (and intrigue) in marrying the sons of other knights to daughters in the court of a particular lord (the knights is the property of the lord of his mother).

Most Ministeriales lives in their own castles, but others may live in towns and defend them, often acting in the name of the abbot or bishop of the city (their townhouse dwellings are generally fortified). It is even possible to be independent of their leige. Rittern, however, are unlanded bachelor knights, and they live in the dwelling of their lord and serve as his army. Some may even reside among the rural villages of their Lord's domains, defending the peasants (and valuable crops and animals!) from marauding bandits and the knights of rival nobles.

German knights are the most numerous in all of Europe. Where an English bishop might have 30 to 40 knights, a German count or bishop would think nothing of retaining over 100 Rittern and Ministeriales.

Among their rights, Ministeriales and Rittern are exempted from the head tax, have the right to duel (or even feud), may hold Church offices, live in castles, may petition for their freedom, and are entitled to judgement by their peers. Conversely, however, they may be sold (though this is rare), and have to have the consent of their liege to marry or move. They give an oath of homage, but are in fact owned by their leige, usually retained on the land on which they were born.

Ministeriales are granted fiefs for their services if possible, Rittern rise to positions of influence by becoming the Butlers or Marshalls of their liege's household (it is possible but rare for Minsteriales to occupy these posts as well). Their armaments come by way of their lord, but most will have a war-horse, mail coat and arms, saddlebag and packhorse with coins and provisions to support themself. This may be crude, however, if they serve a poor Lord, as they may carry their own nails and horseshoes and wear merely goatskin coats.

This page last modified 6/24/97.

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