Corps Teutonia

Corps der Cimbern und Teutonen

by Russel Holloway

Corps Teutonia, a male student organization founded during the 19th century, is a fraternity in Berlin, Germany, that today has over 170 members. The members of Corps Teutonia meet throughout the year to take part in formal and informal activities. Dinners, parties, "Kneipe" (a special event where members and guests get together to sing student songs as well as drink beer) and trips to other cities, to include the yearly four day trip to Weinheim are just some of these activities. One special characteristic of Corps Teutonia is its participation and maintenance of the "Mensur". The word "Mensur" describes the German student tradition of dueling with sharp bladed swords without the benefit of full protection. More information about the "Mensur" is provided later in this short description of Corps Teutonia.

The first of July, 1870 marks the founding of Corps Teutonia. Corps Teutonia has been a member of the Weinheimer Senioren-Convent (WSC), which is a union of over 55 member Corps, since the 25th of March 1934. Each Corps member in the WSC wears a colored band across his chest to denote of which Corps he is a member. The colors of Corps Teutonia are blue-white-gold. Corps Teutonia is a founding member of the "Blaues Kartell", in English Blue Cartel. The cartel has a membership of four Corps from the WSC that have a closer than usual working and friendly relationship with each other. The other three members of the cartel are Corps Hannoverania in Hannover, Corps Saxo-Thuringia in Munich and Corps Altsachsen in Dresden. The Corps often meet, and lasting friendships are made between cartel "brothers". The main meeting place for the members of Corps Teutonia is Sarrazinstraße 19 in Berlin. It is the address of an old villa bought by the Corps in 1929. As well as living space for student members, the villa also has antique furnished rooms and perhaps the nicest privately owned bar in the city. In 1936 Corps Teutonia was forced by the Nazi government to close. On November 13, 1952 the Corps officially reconstituted itself, and was again able to pursue its non-political self interests. A more recent major event in the Corps history is its fusion with the beer brewers Corps, Corps Cimbria. The founding of Corps Cimbria took place on the 10th of May, 1888. In 1970 The members of Corps Teutonia and Corps Cimbria decided to join and make one Corps, thus the name "Corps Teutonia, Corps of the Cimbern and Teutonen".

In the 15th century all male students roamed university campuses with swords fixed to their waists as a part of everyday life. When a student felt insulted he could challenge the insulting person to a duel. Duels at this time were unregulated and could lead to death. As time went on rules were made as to how a duel should be carried out.

Today, Corps students still carry on this old tradition of dueling. One major difference is that duels are no longer used as a way to settle disputes or arguments. Corps duel to teach self-discipline and to bring Corps members closer together. Each member of Corps Teutonia must duel four times to become a life long member. When one duels his opponent stands a swords length away, each have their feet firmly planted on the floor. When the command is given to duel each can only move his arm and wrist. Today a duel is much safer than it was in the past. One might leave a duel with a few stitches, but a duel is not at all lifethreatening. Eyes, nose, ear, neck and body protection is mandatory.

Dueling is not the only thing members of Corps Teutonia find important. We practice and teach our members responsibility, helpfulness, and knightly-honor. Each member has the right to practice his own political and religious beliefs no matter what they might be.

If you are a student interested in Corps Teutonia or if you just want to visit the Corps, please contact us. Our address is Corps Teutonia, Sarrazinstrasse 19, 12159 Berlin, Germany. Our telephone number is (+49 30) 851 9280. You also can send an email to kontakt@teutonia-berlin.de

"AMICO PECTUS, HOSTI FRONTEM!"