Impact of Dominican and Franciscan Monastery Complexes on Urban Planning Development in the Livonia Confederation and the State of the Teutonic Order

Abstract

The Augustinians (Latin: augustiniani) lifestyle was determined by the Regula Sancti Augustini, developed in compliance with St. Augustin’s concept, created in the 8 century, but supplemented in the 9 century with a condition that monks have to live together in monasteries (Latin: abbatia). Augustinians preached that the power of the church is dominant over the secular and invited to eradicate the ones who thought in a different way. In the first half of the 12 century, Augustinians founded monasteries’ schools for sons of noble families. In cities, there were no places for worship. Inhabitants had to travel far in order to reach a monastery. In 1183, in the nearby Bexhövede Village foundations were laid for St. John the Baptist’s Church. The church was consecrated by Bremen Archbishop Siegfried I (around 1132–1184). Albrecht von Buxthoeven (1165–1229), who participated in the church foundation, started here his clergy journey, but, after becoming Bishop of Riga (Latin: Adalbertus Canonicus Rigensis), he laid the foundation-stone for Riga Cathedral on July 25, 1211. In 1214, Augustinian Canon Domenico di Guzmán (1170–1221) and some monks in Toulouse founded the religious organization the Order of Preachers (Latin: Ordo Praedicatorum) or the Dominican Order. In Rome on the Aventine Hill the Dominicans (Latin: praedicatores) main church – Basilica of Santa Sabina (422–432) was consecrated. Dominicans, which were not allowed to own secular properties, did not look for seclusion. In cities, monasteries were established and care of the poor was taken. It was considered that monasteries did not need any riches. Monks had to provide their subsistence with work, but if it was not sufficient, they had to ask for alms. Dominican monasteries built for the Baltic land subjugation were the place of residence for monks in order to bring urban population to Christianity and to promote their education. In 1211, in Akona the Italian poet Giovanni Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone (1182–1226) started his missionary work. He, following the call to become a Catholic monk, founded the Franciscans Order and wrote the Regula Bulata (1209), which Pope confirmed in 1223. On March 18, 1212 Franciscus Assisiensis and Clara Assisiensis (1193–1253) founded the poor sisters’ Order of Saint Clare (Latin: Ordo Sanctae Clarae). People obtained a spiritual power supply, but the monks-beggars’ monasteries in medieval cities became important. Churches became accessible to inhabitants of city. Franciscan monasteries in the Baltic lands were places of residence for monks in order to bring the urban population to Christianity.