The reform of the clerical foundations and monastic life was very
thorough. Mention has already been made of that in the Chapter of
Canons at the Great Minster. Now, it also voluntarily surrendered its
secular jurisdiction to the government, but guarded itself on the other
hand against the delivery of its rich church-ornaments, which were
likewise demanded by the Council and at length taken. Their value went
to cover a part of the expenses of the Canton, which were greatly
increased by the commotions of the age. At the same time Catherine von
Zimmern, abbess of _Frauminster_, gave up to the burgomaster and
councils, under the assurance that she and the sisters would receive an
adequate support, the convent along with its rights and revenues. The
Chapter of Canons at Embrach, the Cistercians at Cappel and the
Augustinians at Heiligenberg, near Winterthur, asked of their own
accord for a suppression or, a re-organization for a more useful end.
The remaining cloisters were taken under the care of the government.
Toward the Dominicans of the city the greatest severity had to be
shown. They held the richest possessions; and yet, like the
Franciscans, were pledged to poverty by the rules of their order. "On
Saturday, Dec. 3d, 1524,"--Felix Weiss narrates--"the burgomaster and
the councils ordained, that the three men of the monasteries, namely,
the Dominicans, the Augustinians and the Franciscans, should be united,
and the younger portion of them taught trades. If any did not wish to
remain, to these a viaticum was to be given; and to all who desired to
remain in the monastery a comfortable support for life and permission
to die a peaceful death. Thus, on the Saturday aforesaid, in the
afternoon, without notice or warning, the three chief officers and
other members of the council, accompanied by the police of the city,
led the Dominicans all at once to the Franciscans; and directly after
that they went to the Augustinians and summoned them all. They were
obliged to lay down their keys of office in presence of my lords on a
table in the convent-parlor. After a long speech and friendly words,
they again led them over the upper bridge to the barefooted friars; and
thus the rulers of the city, of the Small and Great Councils, honestly
disposed of the people in all the monasteries. Soon after, their
portion was assigned them, so that those who were willing to stay in
the monastery of the Franciscans, would receive lodging and shelter
there and wood enough; besides, to each one 6 shocks of grain, 6
buckets of wine and 32 pounds _Haller_ were promised every year."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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