Briefbeförderung des Ordens in Livland. Mit vorläufigen statistischen Bewertung

Abstract

Delivery of Letters in the Teutonic Order in Livonia. With a preliminary statistical analysisThis contribution is on the organization and efficiency of the delivery of letters in the Teutonic Order in Livonia. Firstly, the scarce data on couriers is presented. Main part of the contribution is discussing the phenomenon of registration of time (hour) and place in some of the stations on the delivery routes of letters. This method, used extensively also in Prussia, was most likely introduced in Livonia in the beginning of the 15th century. It was used in case of most urgent letters and was first of all meant to monitor the efficiency of delivery. The majority of the places of registration of time are in the territory of the Order, but there are also some exceptions, when this was done in episcopal castles or manors. High number of letters of the Masters of the Teutonic Order in Tallinn City Archives is also allowing some preliminary statistical analysis, how the space and time was mastered on the route Riga-Wenden-Reval. It appears, that although the letters were ordered to be carried day and night, the calculated average speed is so low, that there were obviously made also some stops for rest on the road.