Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim

Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim (died 1200), also known as Henry Walpot, was the first Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights serving from 1198 to 1200.[1]

Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim
1st Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights
In office
1190 or 1198–1200
Preceded byMaster Sibrand
Succeeded byOtto von Kerpen
Personal details
BornMainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Died(1200-09-24)24 September 1200
Acre, Israel
Statue of Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim
Coat of arms of the Bassenheim family in Mainz

As little is known about him, information regarding the Grand Master is mostly based on historians' theories.[1] Walpot hailed from a rich family from Mainz.[1] He was in favour of turning the organization into a military order.[1]

The death of the Hohenstaufen emperor Heinrich VI in 1197 caused an important change in the Teutonic Order, and together with King Amalric II of Jerusalem decided to militarize the fraternity, so they were incorporated as an independent military order in 1198 under the direction of Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim and received privileges from popes Celestine III and Innocent III.[2] In 1199 he received a copy of monastery rules from Gilbert Horal, the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and on behalf of Pope Innocent III.[1] It was based on the rules of the Templars.[1]

Walpot died and was buried in Acre, Israel.[1]

References
  1. "Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim". Europeana. European Union. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  2. Lepage, Jean-Denis G.G. (February 25, 2014). Medieval Armies and Weapons in Western Europe: An Illustrated History. McFarland & Company. p. 193. ISBN 9780786462513.
Grand Master of the Teutonic Order
Preceded by
None		 Hochmeister
1198–1200		 Succeeded by
Otto von Kerpen


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