The offices of "Hochmeister" and "Deutschmeister" ("Magister Germaniae") were united in 1525. The title of "Magister Germaniae" had been introduced in 1219 as the head of the bailiwicks in the Holy Roman Empire, from 1381 also those in Italy, raised to the rank of a prince of the Holy Roman Empire in 1494, but merged with the office of grand master under Walter von Cronberg in 1525, from which time the head of the order had the title of "Hoch- und Deutschmeister". From 1466 to 1525, the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order were vassals and princes of the Kingdom of Poland.