On the basis of rich material from the archives the article shows the development
of Ruše and of the neighbouring settlements from their foundation
to the middle of the 17th century. Since in 1387 St, Mary's church of pilgrimage
was built, its strong influence on the life of the population of Ruše
has been felt. They would have liked to be changed from peasants into
inhabitants of a borough. In 1645 the only parochial grammar-school in Slovenia
was established and it has subsided for 113 years long as forerunner
of the classical college of Maribor.