Martin Elbel, born in Opava, Czech Republic, in 1971. Ph.D. from the University of Olomouc. Associate Professor of History at the University of Olomouc.
Visiting Grant Scholar (1 January 2006 – 31 March 2006)
MENDICANT FRIARY IN THE EARLY MODERN TOWN
During my stay at NIAS I was primarily occupied writing a book about a Franciscan friary in early modern Olomouc. The provisional title of the book is Beyond the wall: Franciscan friary in early modern Olomouc, 1591-1785. I completed first two chapters of the book: on confessional division in early modern cities and on the post-Tridentine revival of Catholic institutions. I also made a significant progress on chapter three: The question of poverty within the Franciscan Order and chapter five: On friars and the sacred space in early modern cities. Finally, I also did preparatory work for the last two chapters which will on friars, citizens and the dissolution of the monasteries. I expect that the book will be published first in Czech and then in English. Besides the above, I also worked on a chapter that will be included in a volume dedicated to honour of late Professor István G. Toth. The title of my contribution is ‘Making of a perfect friar: Franciscan imagery in early modern Europe’. The volume will be published by CEU Press, presumably in 2007.