What military religious order was tasked with converting pagans in Prussia during the Crusades?

The Teutonic Knights were a military religious order founded in the late 12th century that played a significant role in the Crusades, particularly in the Baltic region. Their primary mission was to convert pagans to Christianity, and they were specifically tasked with the Christianization of Prussia. This involved not only military campaigns but also establishing settlements and churches to facilitate the spread of Christianity among the local populations.

The Teutonic Knights emerged from the context of the Crusades in the Holy Land but shifted their focus toward northern Europe where they were instrumental in the campaign against pagan tribes. Their efforts in Prussia were characterized by both military engagements and the establishment of a territorial state that would become a significant part of medieval European history.

In contrast, while the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers were also military religious orders, their focuses were different and more aligned with the Holy Land and the protection of pilgrims. The Knights of Columbus, on the other hand, is a much later organization founded in the 19th century, primarily in the United States, with no direct connection to the Crusades or the conversion of pagans in Prussia. Thus, the Teutonic Knights are the correct answer as they directly engaged in this particular missionary and military