The Teutonic Knights: Crusaders of the North - full documentary

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Support my work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/RealCrusadesHistory

[@dominicschmitz4933]

That was asome!!

[@Iranda_]

@Roland Rubovic The original Prussians were a Baltic nation, not German. Their land was conquered by the Teutonic Knights who created a German state there.

[@youradventure0710]

Great documentary thank you , are you going to mention part 2 , the 15th century? thank you

[@stephenlatchem8882]

@@johnkloss6936 Bhai

[@GrzegorzDurda]

You didn't mention the Order being defeated by the Polish in 1410? For betrayal?

[@timm3735]

This is what the History Channel should be like.

[@seanclancy9746]

It used to be...

[@stevenstuart152]

Wait, this isn't the History Channel?

[@kylewhiting1477]

The best I can do is one show a year!

[@rebelrobjackson2253]

Pawn stars and American pickers lol. Tell-a-vision

[@karlsweeney2328]

But with Leonard Nimoy to narrate.

[@stephenh9483]

Seriously, the attire of the Teutonic Knights is so striking - wow! This is brilliant

[@moochimooch6650]

Raf The Jaf lol that’s your opinion

[@moochimooch6650]

Raf The Jaf also your opinion

[@OblivionImperialGuard]

Muffins McGeez I agree, The Anglo-Saxon Invasion was believed to be even worse than that of the Vikings

[@gurugurukuma]

All I know German Military really know how to create badass uniforms.

[@stevenizzard8744]

@@gurugurukuma risky statement🤣😅

[@rueporter2253]

This was like being transported in time to join in with the thread. Locales and knights exude a heavy aura along with ambiance, music, and vocal tonality are wonderfully magical. A true piece of art.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks so much!

[@dondep]

I agree, and in fact I'd like to get that music. Sounds alot like Dead Can Dance. I went to the link in Amazon, but alot of the music used does not appear to be on that album "Lit By The Sky" by Roman Lion (though it's a cool name for both the band and the album). Many thanks in advance for any clarification. One of the great tragedies of the final surrender in 1945 was the transfer of Konigsberg to Russia, henceforth known as Kaliningrad. The Kaliningrad Enclave is a curious geopolitical anomaly, made so because of this unique history.

[@M60gunner1971]

I enjoyed this. I could almost smell their feet.

[@ChineseAncientStories-cb8uo]

Very good history channel I've ever watched

[@Arbiter099]

Martin's story sounds like a videogame character, but even better because it actually happened

[@AeneasGemini]

History is often better than fiction, it's sad more video games don't draw from it

[@A_Moustached_Sock]

It definitely feels like there should be a movie based on him. If nothing else for his sister and when they try to execute him and he just kills his captors

[@user-qi6tp1te1y]

They should make a tv show about Genghis Khan from slave to a conquer

[@timewellspent8137]

He'd make a badass Assassin's Creed protagonist. A civil war between the templar order, fracturing it between the east(Kights Templar) and west(Teutonic Order). Could even see some blurred lines with Assassin's doing unseemly acts causing some to leave the order and join the Teutonic knights. Could be cool, I'm just spitballing

[@Z_BoyPanduh]

@@timewellspent8137 that sounds awesome. And vise versa some of the knights getting fed up and joining the assassins I would play that

[@dcox5555]

This was fantastic!!! You are very good at this! You got a Fan for life!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Wow, thank you!

[@boxbury]

One of the best historical pieces I’ve seen! Well done!

[@geemanamatin8383]

A very enlightening video about my now favorite knightly order! Great stuff!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MadMatTom7769]

Why its favourite?

[@scottyfox6376]

Martin is an inspiration to me. What a glorious figure to inspire people to persist in resistance against the odds.

[@MartinNabi]

Really liked the inclusion of the story of Martin. Its the kind of story you don't really find when reading general history of the Teutonic Order. Really brings life to the history of the events when you hear detailed accounts of famed individuals relevant during the time.

[@HanSolo__]

Centuries later, all guys from other parts of Poland call us (who live in cities and towns established by Teutonic Order) "crusaders." As the ones not exclusively of Polish/Slavic ancestry. Also, my first name is Martin.

[@ohioisastate8574]

Very well made video. Thank you for the post

[@scottyoung2986]

Well put together! Keep up the good historical briefing.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks, will do!

[@SRP3572]

I enjoy your videos. Found your channel today and have been listening to it all day. It's nice to have someone tell the history of this time in world history with no agenda, no demonizing and glorifying sides, trying to remain PC so as not to offend. You just tell us what it is, based on the historical accounts. Thank you.

[@halthammerzeit]

I actually was born and live in former Bartenstein, city founded by Teutonic knights. All it was left from medieval times is one of the gates to the city, and fragment of walls, also old townhall foundations were dug up. Interested with the gate can type Bartoszyce in search. Great channel!

[@Oldwhiteguy]

That was awesome, you don’t disappoint.

[@punsher5254]

This is useless now Germany will be soon Islamic country churches are converted to mosques. Defeat

[@tiamabderezai5374]

Hey man, this is one of my favorite videos of all time. I've probably watched and listened to the whole thing 10 times. The music, your voice and narration, historical facts are all carried out superbly. Really good stuff 👍

[@cybergeek1218]

Awesome documentary. I visited museums in Riga and Tallinn, and there's lots of stories about the knights, popes, laws of the time, just brutal history of the 11th and 12th century AD.

[@_thoughtcriminal_9102]

"They did not spice their foods nor sleep in soft beds" just like modern Germany lmao

[@swiftcee266]

They got their arses handed to them my friend.

[@Kamane-bee]

Old Prussians weren't German

[@edreynolds8565]

Thank you for the amazing content! I highly appreciate that you are one of the few who don't judge and condemn the deeds of these fierce people, who lived in a harsh world very different from ours. I'll consider buying your novel for Christmas!

[@susettesantiago5509]

The harsh world of farmers..........farmers..........trying to survive..........how do we come to terms with the fact that rape and plunder was used against farmers..........we don’t............we can only forgive the crazy and try to move on from this genocidal rampage...........still..........very much alive..........but there may be hope for our war ridden world...........

[@ayinthroposreloaded7248]

@@susettesantiago5509 , I come from a Family of dirt farmers from Louisiana. You may hate me or what you imagine my nature to be. I fault you not. It is beyond me to ascertain the reason for all of this savagery.

[@a1n9t8o9]

Amazingly immersive experience! You do such a great job of transporting us back in time. Excellent work on this documentary!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you very much!

[@fireteammichael1777]

My new favorite channel!!! Awesome content! Like someone else said, "This is what the history channel SHOULD be!"

[@danieleriksson5587]

Have been watching all of your videos recently. And I have to say I like it alot. Many don't wish to talk about crusades but you have based your entire channel on it. Respect

[@danieleriksson5587]

@Commentator Needs to be wiped out completely

[@everybodyloveschris7734]

Still one of my favorite Channels! I really enjoy these longer videos, Especially on a a portion of the crusades that I do not know about! Thank you!!!

[@annabelladebonnay8320]

It is so satisfying to hear you say Heinrich (as it should be )..rather than the usually Anglicised Henry ! ,for the Holy Roman Emperor .It shows respect.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Also, I think it helps individuate various rulers in history. Otherwise you have a million king henrys, etc from all over Europe.

[@legatvsdecimvs3406]

"Those who come to us with a sword.. will die by the sword." - Alexander Nevsky

[@MalfunctioningAndroid]

Nope. Eisenstein.

[@tehjamerz]

Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace into the earth, but the sword.

[@cilindras2952]

And indeed the Teutons did die by the sword

[@superiorshotgun4348]

@@cilindras2952They are still here

[@nationalistefrancais1473]

Noone cares about your russian stin** sh**

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

Wow dude, GREAT WORK! Congratulations! Great graphics, too.

[@24h7d]

Thanks!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

You bet!

[@cliff567]

Thank you for giving me access to this story, I have read into the knights Templar. Great work and presentation.

[@Thomas-dw1nb]

This was one of the better documentaries you've done. It was easy to follow, it kept my interest, and it often used your old RCH intro jingle that I wish you still used.

[@edghlover7535]

PERFECT! SLOW SPOKEN AND CLEAR. Thanks

[@davedyck7718]

This was really well done. Great job with the visuals and the narration.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you very much!

[@jameseicher6916]

This is truly excellent! Very well researched & superbly presented (love the accompanying imagry)! Thank you!!!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fredrikmelhus1107]

Nice video! Really interesting stuff! I just would like to inform that the picture at 41:00 is not of Martin, but it is a famous painting of two Birkebeiners escorting the norwegian heir to the throne Håkon Håkonsson from the enemy territory of the Baglers during the norwegian civil war.

[@PRH123]

Thanks, interesting. You have somewhat misstated Nevskii's role though, he was not an autocrat or feudal prince in the western sense. He was hired and paid by the merchants of Novgorod as a temporary war leader, and was not actually allowed to enter the city. He didn't resist the Mongols, in fact he had to travel to the capital of the Golden Horde and as all princes in that area at that time had to grovel (literally) and ask for permission to maintain his title and position,

[@BerndGSchneider]

Interesting! So to speak Nevskii seems to have been a freelance warlord similar to the condotieri in italian renaissance.

[@Pawel_Mrozek]

Interesting insight. I know very little about the realities of that time in Russia. This opens up interesting paths for reflection.

[@eagleofbrittany7231]

Really loved this video. I hope you also make a second part about their history in the 14th and 15th centuries

[@Elsupermayan8870]

@Life as we know it I think the universal language back then was Latin, much like English is today.

[@rgochina]

Hello from Brazi. Beautifull and impressive work, thanks a lot !!!!

[@garybaldwin1]

Loved listening to this documentary, when I was walking the the dog this morning. Very informative and insightful. You have a excellent Voice.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@josephradgowski2934]

This is a very good channel I'm so glad I found it. You people keep it up please!**

[@MxK589]

I knew my name was great, Martin! Awesome documentary btw, I really enjoyed this. My ancestry is of Slavic Baltic and Germanic descent.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Claire_H]

Good content. This is what I like to see history without filler.

[@marinazinovic2113]

Amazing documentary man your channel never fails to deliver!

[@scottkain511]

Love your channel brother. The Crusades are easily in the top 3 most important times in human history. And I believe that this will happen again some day. You deserve millions of followers. Keep it up! Cheers mate.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

If it does, I hope Jerusalem is nuked to the 10th level of hell.

[@lordofhostsappreciator3075]

^^^

[@firstnamelastname4249]

It's a very Importent events but I still conisder the 30 years war and Napoleonic wars are more Importent

[@lifeisa.smalllesson333]

American history claims the European crusaders always stated they were trying to win back the holy land...when did they lose it then, is my question.!??.... Maybe you can help!

[@marijntaal1531]

Thank you for this, really learned more about the Teutonic Knights.

[@xico9438]

As an indigenous person of the ameircas i am fascinated by this history and i sympathize greatly with the Prussians and all baltic pagan tribes. Great video!!!!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CalaverasRC]

Maybe if the natives stopped killing each other they would have stood a chance.

[@CalaverasRC]

Native Americans could never do what the Prussians did.

[@Wegetsu]

​@@CalaverasRCThat's what happens when 90% of your population dies to diseases from the old world before the first colonies were even set up. Especially in North America

[@WrenchWhacker]

Cope, get colonized lmao

[@Czer141]

Man I love real crusade history best channel on YT

[@amang1001]

Hell yeah an hour long video!!!!!

[@evolveausevolveaus]

Wow man I just found your channel, you have some excellent content. I have some bingeing on tonight 🤓

[@IRFSI]

Visited Narva Castle in Estonia. There was Teutonic priest in clothes and teutonic knight on full armor on horse. Statues but still.

[@bastong4124]

Freaking dope man! Thanks for putting that all together! I learned a lot

[@TFrills]

This is really well done! And your narration is really smooth. Love this. I am hard to please.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HereWeald]

This channel is absolutely crazy, happy i found you lot

[@rogerhwerner6997]

One of the greatest modern Russian symphonies is Alexander Nevsky by Sergie Prokofiev. One of the movements is the Battle on Ice. It's a brilliant symphony and certainly glorifies the great battle.

[@priest0701]

Algirdas Urbanavicius true

[@kraanz]

@Algirdas Urbanavicius There's a movie? Let me guess, it's a Russian one? =D I remember seeing some other "historical" Russian movie, where an entire army of Polish winged hussars were assaulting Moscow. And I mean that literally - a whole bunch of cavalrymen on horseback where charging fortified walls. And then the heroic Russians (there was maybe 3 of them) killed most of them and won the battle. The movie WAS NOT a comedy, all of it was dead serious. It wasn't as much historical as it was hysterical =D. Edit: I forgot to mention that the movie was set a few centuries before the actual creation of winged hussars, it was brilliant.

[@MetalDetroit]

@@kraanz The movie was 1612. Had a dancing bear and a talking fish. Oh - and an old man in a tree.

[@colmcmillan173]

@@kraanz So what? It's the same in any Western historical films. Especially Hollywood. No relation to reality.

[@nationalistefrancais1473]

No one cares about russia

[@olandewgamers9573]

Ah that thumbnail though... So awe-inspiring! :) 🙏

[@garymcatear822]

You should do a video on 'The Gallowglass', Scottish and Viking mercenaries from western Scotland who were the most feared people in the British isles and beyond. They were bodyguards to Kings and Queens and elites who paid handsome payment for their services.

[@peterc4082]

Most feared people on the British Isles, not beyond.

[@garymcatear822]

@@peterc4082 The Gallowglass were hired by kings and queens and other elites across Europe.

[@Johnny1.0]

Pleasantly surprised. Well done all Round Sir!

[@yakovkratzberg802]

Wow,great video Stephen,joy to listen

[@inquisitorwalmarius6650]

this was a good Documentary. rarely do people mention the Schwertbrüder order in relation to the Teutonics. you did both a great service.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you sir! It's great history, and I enjoyed working on it.

[@inquisitorwalmarius6650]

@@RealCrusadesHistory it shows, it was a pleasure to listen to it.

[@way2tehdawn]

Anyone else listen to Real Crusades History while working out? 🤔

[@kysike666]

Nah

[@meinstettin]

Que video incrivel,mravilhoso! Foi o melhor e mais cmpleto que ja vi ate hoje! Meus parabens por todo o seu empenho e didicação para fazer esse magnifico trabalho! Sempre achei uma historia facinante a dos Caavaleirs Teutonicos. Tanta luta e tanto sangue, lastimavelmente a a Alemanha perdeu esse territorio da Prussia Oriental e Prussia Ocidental apos 750 anos de colonização e civilização alemã. Saudações do Brasil

[@inhocsignovinces7713]

one of your best videos, thank you!

[@tomasburian6550]

What an amazing video. It was like listening to it in some meeting hall back in the medieval times. Fantastic rhetoric.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FractalsFour]

I respect the fact that they take care of the sick and poor in their downtime they are truly sharing the love

[@travispeterson5359]

Love it. Keep em comin.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks! Will do!

[@highlordsilverhand1228]

YES!!!! BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!❤️✝️

[@Oldwhiteguy]

High lord Silver hand lol me too!

[@illeagle9560]

I love this channel. I love learning about the different military orders of the past.

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

Amazing man, love this kind of videos. Absolut fantastic, der deutsche Orden is my favorite order. Thanks for this epic video.

[@kevinmarker-cz3bx]

I'm very impressed with how this is presented..Well done.

[@featherfoot614]

The Alexander Nevsky metro station in St. Petersburg has an awesome mosaic of the battle on the ice.

[@wallung1876]

Great job, a lot of stuff i dind't knew

[@johnjohnon8767]

Thourghly enjoyable telling of history.

[@edwardrichard2561]

Thank you. Great channel.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you too!

[@graneadear]

as a German American (European mixed I am also: Swedish, Irish, Scottish and Dutch) and interested in Germany history and especially I have to say this order this documentary is well made thanks for this Real Crusades History I appreciate it

[@mightykurgan3444]

You must be proud Although our ancestors fought each other in crusades i love Germany Germans and German history

[@sudfac]

At 47:45 - picture of Russian artist V. Vasnetsov "Russian Knight at Crossroads": It is written on stone: “If you go straight along the road - you will not be alive, if you go to right - you will be married; if you go left, you will be rich. " Кnight reads stone inscription and drives straight along the road.

[@blackdragon-po8jy]

Youre Either German, Asian, Mexican, African Or Indian Their never was Other Bloodlines after those 👎😂

[@nillynush4899]

Seek what they purposefully keep from you. Your history.

[@mikehunt3746]

You what we call American, that's for sure🤣 all countries in 1 person!

[@karelleet]

Your work is amazing, very grateful to learn and enjoy from your work

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Many thanks!

[@gavg89iiuktvii35]

Thankyou for the lesson and your energy God Bless You 💎

[@gabrielmasseur4944]

Amazing voice of the narrator .So clear, I want to listen more and more histories.

[@hugojrneves]

he sounded like keanu reeves actually.

[@tehjamerz]

@@hugojrneves woah

[@danaspauliukas1492]

nice video, im kinda proud to be Lithuanian, we were last pagans, who technically fought against all Europe. Keep up the god work!

[@lynnthomason6589]

OMG ! Thank you so much for this wonderful film. I have learned more than expected about the Crusades. I’m subscribing. Lynn T.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bubbamike4743]

I feel like such an idiot for never knowing about the Teutonic order in the Baltic states. This is incredible stuff, and a huge part of European history I was never taught…

[@casperscott-ln9fn]

I quite agree with you bubba mike. If you consider that the history of the past has consequences today most of western Europe are not even slightly aware of eastern European history. I only knew about Novgorod from the perspective of its dealings with the Mongols.

[@hajoos.8360]

The Deutschritter-Orden, it's original name, organised for the entire European nobilty bounty-raids, officially crusades, into the Baltics and Belarus. The simple trick is the religion. The term Slawes comes from slaves. These eastern germanic tribes, like the Poles, were all heathens. The church, means the pope in Rome, allowed it, to enslave them and to take their lands, easy business. Germans are a mixture of Celtes and Germanics ( in the EDDA called Wanes & Æsir). As more as You travel to the east of Europe people get more germanic and less celtic. My statement there are no Slawes by race will bring me a lot of enemies, mainly in the pan-slawian Russia. Iceland became a Christian island by Snorri Sturlusson to avoid the invasion of the King of Denmark and Norway. It was not allowed by the church to conquer christian countries.

[@frontgamet.v1892]

Absolutely! Proud to have German history. Lithuania and Estonia ex Teutonic States!

[@hajoos.8360]

@@frontgamet.v1892 Yes, but I am not a friend of the church 🙂 I prefer a pagan weltanschauung.

[@viliuss7745]

​@@frontgamet.v1892lithuania was never teutonic state

[@BrandonWatson-sk3yq]

Great content. 👍 really like your work bud

[@faramund9865]

I came for teutonic history and learned something valuable about Baltic heathen history, thank you!

[@mattwiedenman3268]

This historical account is extremely entertaining to me! Great job!

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

I love history, I love medieval history, and love knights I’ve found my Graceland.

[@ottodidakt3069]

impressed by the quality of your work !

[@ironstarofmordian7098]

Any videos on crusader infantry that you have planned?

[@danielavery3706]

That was very well put together man I really enjoyed it

[@zaqwerty22]

1410 was an end of Teutonic Knights. They betrayed Poland which was Christian Monarchy by 150 years. 15.06.1410 battle on Grunwald.

[@matthiasjurisch2221]

The true spirit of the Teutonic Knights and tribes was never lost or at " end "...it is omni present in cultural DNA, epecially in north eastern Germany and parts of the Baltic states, just visitf Riga ,and Teutonic culture is everywhere. I very frequently travel a very short distance from Berlin to Stettin, and the Polish people of that beautiful city have finally accepted the history and similarity between Slavic and Germanic people that have existed in the Baltic region for thousands of years...eventually time heals all wounds...we have always fought each other yet common sense and being historically intelligent has brought us to reason and accepting each other...btw, my mothers maiden name was Karpinski...I am Berlin born and raised and proud to be a German...

[@donfredo8013]

Well-spoken, Mr. Jurisch. Well-spoken! Thank you.

[@szymonszymon2329]

Also they betrayed Catholic church during reformation

[@smartacus88]

@@szymonszymon2329 The Catholic church betrayed true Christian principles. The Tutonic Knights betrayed an institution of man and remained true to Christ.

[@szymonszymon2329]

@@smartacus88 There are people in the church that are corrupted not the church. The Catholic church is doing much more good for the poor and sick around the world that any Protestant sect combined.

[@aramondehasashi3324]

Great video, i really love the artwork you use.

[@soulassassin0g]

One of my favorite civilizations in Age of Empires 2.

[@lonniesmith3348]

This doc was so interesting. and I love it So thank you very much.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@seanmcgrady8688]

These bad boys just got +2 melee armor.

[@tomgriffin477]

OUTSTANDING video, as always!!!

[@RexOlafusVidulusMagnus]

Not full documentary. It's destruction via Poland-Lithuania was not mentioned :)

[@Pureblood1776]

Great work RCH!

[@marekkocon7407]

I'm from Poland, and this is AWESOME! Have you covered the great battle of Grunwald between the Poles and the Teutonics in 1410?

[@jezalb2710]

There were also Lithuanians, Tartars

[@GhostRaiter]

Ya... lots of Lithuanians at that one and my homies the Samogitians too.

[@nationalistefrancais1473]

​@@jezalb2710noone cares about lithuanian and tatars

[@ninokolen4300]

Great work, subscribed !

[@sectorsweep14]

Awesome and very informative video, I couldn't stop listening. I sympathize more with the Old Prussians and their ancient pagan faith and practices (except for polygyny), but I have a lot of respect for the men on both sides who fought bravely and gave their lives for what they believed in.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RavusNox-z5i]

To be honest, although I sympathise with Pagans, much of the history we know is the one that was chosen to be written. We don't really know jack S about what truly happened. And this goes for 2000 years of European history.

[@logat1847]

@@RavusNox-z5i you might be interested in the Oera Linda

[@abeedhal6519]

Ah yeah the noble savage, i also believed in that when i was a child.

[@nenabunena]

Hard for girls to sympathize with them when we wouldve been the ones enslaved and gang raped by them.

[@chrisloomis1489]

Amazing history..that is real. Thank you Sir.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Transleithania]

Unfortunately You not mentioned the Hungarian episode with king Andrew II before Prussia. Because the order not subordinate to the kingdom of Hungary, they were expelled after a battle, where they defeated from the army of the Hungarian king, who was also fought in the Holy Land.

[@magdaty1815]

yes, I was waiting for the part with Hungary too bad Polish Prince didn't hear about it or what... that he invited teutonics over... but who really knows how it was...

[@tadzique]

As far as I know Konrad I of Mazovia learnd about Teutonic Order from Henry the Bearded of Silesia, the most influential leader of Polish principalities of the first half of XIII century. Don't know whether he was informed about what problems Andrew II of Hungary had with the Order. The rest is history

[@judeanzealotrometotalwar5866]

Excellent narration. Very informative.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you liked it!

[@jswin2084]

Was there a use for the horned helmets? It seems like more of a disadvantage for you to have a headpiece with more area space away from the center. If it were to catch a swing from a weapon, it could jar the helmet loose or skew it. Was there a purpose other than the visual?

[@lasttemplar9070]

Intimidation, it makes you appear taller and a more striking opponent

[@jswin2084]

Last Templar makes sense, and I figured so - seems more detrimental though considering a helmet usually has limited space for vision. It would be bad to catch any contact to the crown that might distort the balance, blinding the wearer.