The position of the ‘master mason’ (‘magister lapidum’, ‘magister laterum’, ‘steinmeister’, ‘czygelmeyster’, ‘muwermeister’) in the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia in the 14th and in the first half of the 15th centuries

Research reveals that the position of 'master mason' within the Teutonic Order's state in Prussia, spanning the 14th and early 15th centuries, played a pivotal role in coordinating brick castle construction. This role, held by knights for specified periods, involved overseeing labor, materials procurement, and work execution, thereby enabling the precise dating of several castles. Notably, the high castle in Ragnit was completed before 1406, while Marienburg (Malbork) underwent development in two phases during the 1340s and 1370s. Additional findings include the construction timeline for castles in Gdańsk, Schlochau, Tuchel, Lauenburg, Barten, Labiau, Neidenburg, and Memel, corroborating historical claims about their erection periods.

Jóźwiak, S., & Trupinda, J. (2016). The position of the ‘master mason’ (‘magister lapidum’, ‘magister laterum’, ‘steinmeister’, ‘czygelmeyster’, ‘muwermeister’) in the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia in the 14th and in the first half of the 15th centuries. Ordines Militares. Colloquia Torunensia Historica, 20, 239. https://doi.org/10.12775/om.2015.010