- The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. The correct title is Bracia Dobrzyńscy.
Brothers of Dobrzyn (Polish Bracia Dobrzyńscy) also known as Prussian Cavaliers of Jesus Christ and in Latin as Fratres Milites Christi (de Prussia, de Dobrzyn, de Mazovia), were a military order created by bishop of Prusy Chrystian betwen 1216 and 1228 r. to protect Mazowsze and Kujawy from raids of pagan Prussians. In the same year the creation of the order was confirmed by the Pope Gregor IX and Polish prince Konrad I Mazowiecki gave them the town of Dobrzyń nad Wisłą and surrounding territories. It was the only military order created in Poland.
At first the order was composed of 15 knights from Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg, lead by master Brunon. In face of no successes of the order in fights againt Prussians and their small number (at its highest, 35 knights), around 1235 majority of Brothers of Dobrzyń has joined the Teutonic Order, as allowed by the papal documents. In 1237 r. the rest of Brothers have been moved by Konrad Mazowiecki to Drohiczyn, to increase the militarystrenght of that outpost. The last mention of Brothers of Dobrzyń recorded by history comes from 1240 and Drohiczyn was captured from Konrad by prince Daniel Halicki.
Brothers of Dobrzyń provided assistance to Cistercians missionaries in Prussia and protection from raids of pagan Prussian tribes. Their ideology was represented by their clothing - over armor they had white cloaks, with symbols of red sword raised up and red star representing the revelations of Jesus to pagans. The rules of their orders were based on those of Knights of Sword and Templars.
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