Landsmannschaft (Studentenverbindung)

The older forms of Landsmannschaften were part of corporations and are closely aligned with the beginnings of universities in medieval times of the 12th and 13th centuries.

This is also the term for a Jewish burial society: landsmanshaft In order to understand the history of German fraternities, it needs to be known that the first universities in Europe were established in the 12th and 13th century in Paris (France), Bologna and Padua (Italy), and later also in Oxford and Cambridge (England).

Students joined groups in regards to region in order to have protection as well as support in being heard in their interests.

The two early forms were called nations (Nationes) or colleges (Collegien) and organized not only the work but also social life and had major influence in universities as they elected the head of a university (magister) in some areas.

They were loosely organized bodies of students from the same region or nation naturally enough drawn together by their longings for companionship.