First Duke of Prussia, born in 1490 in Ansbach, Bavaria; died in 1568 in Tapinu, East Prussia. Elected grand-master of the Teutonic Order, 1510, he seized Church property to defray the expenses of a disastrous war with Poland (1519-1521). He met Luther (1522-1523), on whose advice he secularized the order, and with the entire chapter and a majority of the knights adopted Lutheranism. By the Treaty of Cracow in 1525, with Sigismund, King of Poland, the lands of the order became a fief of Poland vested in Albert, on whom Sigismund conferred the title of Duke of Prussia.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More