A kora újkori kolozsvári ispotálymesterek
The Masters of the Almshouses from the Early Modern Cluj

Summary/Abstract: In the early modern Cluj two almshouses functioned at the same time, one of them named after Saint Elizabeth, the second after the Holy Spirit. Both were under the authority of the town. Their masters – called magister xenodochii in the documents – were elected by the Assembly of the Hundred Men, the main legislative body of the town magistrate. By presenting certain aspects of their job, the study focuses on their duties, their instructions, on the way they managed the institutions, their social status and place in the society of the town. All of them were citizens of Cluj, and, besides running the hospitals, they continued their formal job as artisans, craftsmen or merchants. After completing their assignments as masters of the hospitals, the majority of them were elected in other offices of the town management. Although all of them were citizens with respectable careers, none of them had the chance to become first judge of the town.

• Details
• Contents