Augustinian Hermit Monasteries in Hungary Cover Image

Ágostonrendi remeték a középkori Magyarországon
Augustinian Hermit Monasteries in Hungary

Author(s): Beatrix F. Romhányi
Subject(s): History
Published by: AETAS Könyv- és Lapkiadó Egyesület

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on the history of the least researched monastic orders of medieval Hungary: the Augustinian friars. According to recent findings, between the 13th and the 16th centuries the order had about 40 monasteries, which in the 15th-16th centuries made up seven districts(districtus). The first friars are believed to have come from the territories in Southern Germany and Small Poland. Unlike the Dominicans and the Franciscans, this administrative grouping corresponds to certain territorial groups. It is striking how many monasteries were established in small settlements, partly because of the relatively late arrival of the order, and partly because of the lack of a well-designed settlement plan. Monarchs were the most zealous supporters of the order, followed – in the early years – by the bishops. From the second half of the 14th century, however, landlords and nobles play an increasingly important part in supporting the Augustinians. The late 15th and early 16thcentury religious reforms had little influence on the Augustinian friars, though the number of new foundations compared to the total number of monasteries was significant, about 20-25 percent. The order must have had a highly developed educational system, though we can only assume this on the basis of the scanty evidence we have at our disposal. The location of the majority of the monasteries have not been precisely identified, the occasional archeological research mainly focused on topography. Significant findings have only been discovered in Buda, Vác, Bátmonostor and Pápóc. Though completely rebuilt, the monasteries at Bártfa, Kőrös and maybe even Eszék and Velike have survived to the present day.

  • Issue Year: 2005
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 91-101
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Hungarian