This army and monastic order appeared in the Holy Land during the times of the third crusade nonetheless it concentrated its task in the colonization of Eastern Prussia, Poland and Baltic countries, bringing Catholicism into the East. In 1199 Pope Innocent 3rd offered them the white surcoats with a black cross that became the insignia associated with the order. In 1242, the knights regarding the purchase had been defeated in battle of Lake Peipus by Alexander Nevsky, prince of Novgorod.
