Weiße Mönche, schwarze Zahlen: Die Stamser Zisterzienser und die Entstehung der ältesten Tiroler Rechnungsbücher.

The Tyrolean account books are considered to be some of the oldest and most extensive products of territorial financial administration in the Holy Roman Empire. The sudden appearance of these relatively elaborate documents in the 1280ies has led to diverse hypotheses on possible models and inspirations that have all been rejected so far. This paper aims to add a new perspective to the discussion by extending the search for models to the monastic sphere. The Cistercian Order, famous for its strict organisation and economic orientation, was settled in Stams in Tyrol in 1273. By examining connections between the Cistercians and the principal chancery and chamber and by comparing Cistercian and principal estate registers and accounts, it will be shown how the White Monks might have contributed to the development of the financial administration in medieval Tyrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]