About the orgin and possible affiliation of the vice-commander of the Malbork Castle Claus von Winterthur (1388-1402)

Claus von Winterthur, vice-commander of the Teutonic Order's Castle in Malbork (1388–1402), likely hailed from Strasbourg rather than his ancestral home of Niederwinterthur. This conclusion stems from an analysis of surnames and historical records, suggesting that Claus, a member of the urban ministerialis family, sought opportunity abroad due to social pressures in Winterthur. His prolonged tenure as vice-commander—unprecedented among predecessors—may have been facilitated by loyalty to his kin, Konrad and Rudolf von Kyburg, and collaboration with fellow brethren from Alsace-Burgundy. The study reconstructs Claus's origins and affiliations using genealogical and historical evidence, offering new insights into the social dynamics of the Teutonic Order during a pivotal period of its expansion.

Gotówko, P. (2022). About the orgin and possible affiliation of the vice-commander of the Malbork Castle Claus von Winterthur (1388-1402). Masuro-⁠Warmian Bulletin, 318(3), 329–361. https://doi.org/10.51974/kmw-156107