Belényesy Károly: Pálos kolostorok az Abaúji-Hegyalján (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén megye régészeti emlékei 3. Miskolc, 2004)

PAULINE FRIARIES IN THE ABAÚJ HEGYALJA REGION

PREFACE Present study is the revised and extended version of the M. A. Thesis defended at the Department of Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeology of the Loránd Eötvös University, Budapest. This fact in itself is very pleasing, since publication of thesis is unfortunately not a general tendency in Hungary nowadays. What is more, Károly Belenyesy'

s work opens up new directions of research from various aspects. On the one hand, his chosen subject is a novelty: in this case the common and comparative analyzes of all Pauline monasteries, and their environment in a micro region, namely in the Zemplén Abaúj Region. On the other hand, the methods of the investigation show likewise innovation. The studied features are more or less researched and researchable ruins, architectural remains, and the impact of human inhabitance on natural resources, all identified by archaeological research, partly by excavation, and mainly by field survey. The final analyzes of the results, supplemented by data from written sources, outline the main features of Pauline estate system of the region. Economic and social background, as well as their connections with ecclesiastical and secular authorities are also discussed. Moreover, the topic is worth to be noted, as the Pauline Order is one of the most characteristic religious orders in the Middle Ages. The distinguished German historian, Kaspar Elm, referred to them as a "botched mendicant community", when discussing their acceptance by the Papal Court in the first half of the fourteenth century. Although Paulines started their career as a hermit order around the middle of the thirteenth century, at the end of the century this direction of development promised no success for them. Nevertheless, already in the very early phase, particular communities had taken up certain monastic features. These elements, which were originally rather complicated, were mixed with mendicant specialities that were ordered by Augustinian Regulation, in 1308. Even though, this does not mean that all three major traits of medieval monasticism were present in all monasteries. Some monasteries preferred the traditions of the hermitages, while others appeared rather as monastic or mendicant communities. The situation of particular monasteries changed completely during the times, depending either on general tendencies of the Pauline Order, or local demands. The distinctive features are reflected both in their relations with the surrounding environment, and in the way, how the monasteries communicated with contemporary society. Also architecture, the normally small sized estates, or the composition of properties are noticeable. Almost all described characteristics can be detected among Pauline monasteries in the Zemplén Region. Moreover, the cooperation of the communities, the common representation of their interests is also documented. The recorded cases of such coordinated efforts show light on the internal organization of the order. Presumably, this system was well known in other parts of the country, but until now, very scarce information has been presented. Beatrix F. Romhányi