The Armament and Defence of Monasteries of Contemplative Orders in Slovenia during the Ottoman Incursion

Abstract

The article deals with the armament and defence of four monasteries in present-day Slovenia: the Cistercian monasteries of Stična and Kostanjevica na Krki, as well as the Carthusian monasteries of Pleterje and Žiče. The article discusses the fortification of the monasteries, impacts on their economy, the correlation between the monasteries‘ economic situation and their armament,. The monasteries‘ defence organisation is examined through two research questions: Who was in charge of the monastery defence and what role did the monks themselves play in it.