 During the 13th century the Teutonic Order was formed, taking over its first possession in Franconia in 1209, the Bailiwick of Franconia.The foundation of many schools and hospitals and the construction of numerous churches and castles in this area goes back to the work of this Roman Catholic military order.The residence place of the bailiwick was at Ellingen until 1789 when it was transferred to today's Bad Mergentheim.