From Fiscal Diversity to Fiscal Convergence: Franciscan Monasteries in the Sanjak of Bosna during the First Century of Ottoman Rule

What is it about?

As the medieval Franciscan monasteries of Central Bosnia came under Ottoman rule, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror granted the Franciscan monks equal protection across Bosnia. Their monasteries, however, continued being recorded with tax loads which differed from one monastery to the other, perhaps reflecting a medieval, pre-Ottoman fiscal situation. This original fiscal diversity was gradually replaced by increased fiscal convergence (in the course of which most monasteries were to enjoy the same fiscal exemptions), supported by a discourse which aimed at justifying the unifying approach.

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Photo by ADEV on Unsplash

Photo by ADEV on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It helps shedding light on the situation of Catholic monasteries under Ottoman rule in the early period