War Order of Margrave Albrecht the Elder

As Grand Master of the Teutonic Order and 1st Duke of Prussia, Margrave Albrecht the Elder of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1490–1568) played an important role in the early modern history of Prussia. The War Order of Margrave Albrecht the Elder is one of three surviving manuscripts from his chancellery in Königsberg – today Kaliningrad – which reflects his particular interest in the military. The Berlin manuscript Ms. Boruss. fol. 441 deals with the theory and practice of warfare in general, followed by a generously illuminated section with specific battle orders. These are visually presented to the reader on 45 double pages, many of which can be folded out, as wonderfully colored pen and ink drawings. These are supplemented by 21 schematic drawings for further illustration. The manuscript thus provides an artistic insight into Albrecht's political, legal and military ideas about warfare in 16th-century Prussia.