NOTES.
(1) "In towers of Marienbourg the bells are ringing."
Marienbourg, in Polish Malborg, a fortified town, formerly the capital of the Teutonic Order, under Kazimir Jagellon (1444-1492) united to the Polish Republic; later on, given as a pledge to the Margraves of Brandenburgh. It came at last into the possession of the Kings of Prussia. In the vaults of the castle were the graves of the Grand-Masters, some of which are still preserved.
(2) "But foreign houses of his fame were full."
Houses—so were called the convents, or rather castles, scattered through various parts of Europe.
(3) "The strife of keen-edged swords"=combattre à outrance.
(4) The Archkomtur.
The Grosskomthur was the chief officer after the Grand-Master.
(5) "Some unknown pious woman from afar."
The chronicles of that time speak of a country girl, who, having come to Marienbourg, asked to be walled up in a solitary cell, and there ended her life. Her grave was famous for miracles.
(6) "Our master he."
In time of election, if opinions were divided or uncertain, similar occurrences were often taken as omens, and influenced the decisions of the chapter. Thus Winrych Kniprode gained all the voices, because some of the brothers heard, as though from the tombs of the Grand-Masters, a three-fold calling: "Vinrice, ordo laborat."
