The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem[2] (official names: Latin: Ordo domus Sanctæ Mariæ Theutonicorum Hierosolymitanorum, German: Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen Haus der Heiligen Maria in Jerusalem), commonly the Teutonic Order (today: German Order [Deutscher Orden], alsoDeutschherrenorden or Deutschritterorden), was a German medieval military order, and became in modern times a purely religious Catholic order.
It was formed to aid Christians on their pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to establish hospitals. Its members have commonly been known as the Teutonic Knights, since they also served as a crusading military order in theMiddle Ages. The military membership was always small, with volunteers and mercenaries augmenting the force as needed.