Aristocratic Landscape : The Spatial ideology of the Medieval Aristocracy Hansson, Martin 2006 Document Version: Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Hansson, M. (2006). Aristocratic Landscape : The Spatial ideology of the Medieval Aristocracy. (Lund Studies in Historical Archaeology; Vol. 2). Lund University. 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LUND UNIVERSITY PO Box 117 221 00 Lund +46 46-222 00 00 aristocratic landscape landscape aristocratic This book is a comparative study of how the aristocracy in Western Europe organised space and landscape inside and adjacent to their residences. It discusses examples from Britain, France, Germany and Scandinavia concentrated in the period c. 800–1500. The overall aim is to search for a common aristocratic spatial ideology and to explain its meaning and changes through time, against the background of overall changes in medieval society. Many scholars have studied the medieval aristocracy and chivalrous culture, but this study tries to connect this culture with the landscape. The residences of the aristocracy are studied in the context of their surrounding landscape. The study focuses on six different themes that affected how the aristocracy acted in the landscape. These themes concern the role of the nobleman as warrior, the aristocracy’s use of history and the memory of the place, how the aristocracy tried to isolate themselves in space, the aristocracy’s urge to plan and order space, the ever-present religious dimension in aristocratic life and the importance of the individual agent. Martin Hansson works at Småland Museum, Växjö and is attached to the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of martin hansson martin Lund. ISBN 91-22-02154-X aristocratic landscape the spatial ideology of the medieval aristocracy lund studies in historical archaeology 2 aristocratic landscape the spatial ideology of the medieval aristocracy martin hansson Aristocratic Landscape. The Spatial Ideology of the Medieval Aristocracy. Lund Studies in Historical Archaeology 2 © Martin Hansson ISBN 91-22-02154-X ISSN 1653-1183 Distribution: Almqvist & Wiksell International Box 7634 103 94 Stockholm E-mail: [email protected] Graphic design by Thomas Hansson Cover photo by Martin Hansson Print by Daleke Grafiska, Malmö 2006 contents acknowledgements 7 list of figures 9 1. introduction 11 2. medieval society – some starting points 25 3. aristocratic landscapes – småland and norfolk 45 4. the chivalrous society – a martial dimension 77 5. the significance of history 87 6. spatial distance – social distance 105 7. ordering the landscape 129 8. a religious dimension 161 9. the individual and the landscape 183 10. the spatial ideology of the aristocracy 197 references 205 index 221 acknowledgements Once I had finished my PhD, the question inevitably arose, what am I supposed to do now? In my case the answer was easy, I had to go back to my job at the museum in Växjö, from which I had been on study leave during the four years when I wrote my PhD. But I couldn’t really drop the subject of my thesis. When it finally was finished I was convinced that it would have been more interesting if I had done it in another way. This is the background to the post-doc project that is presented in this book. It has as starting point thoughts and ideas that I never discussed in my thesis. It is also an attempt to conduct a study in historical archaeology on a European level. The work was made possible by a generous post-doc grant from STINT (The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education), which made it possible for me to spend a year at the Department of Archaeology at the University of Reading, England. For this grant I am most grateful; without it, this study would never have been made. Originally I had in- tended to write an article, but I soon realised that the article would be very long. Instead the result is published as a monograph. I am also very grateful to the Department of Archaeology at Reading and its staff, who gave me a cordial welcome and made it possible for me to work. Without their kind reception and aid, my task would have been much more dif- ficult. My year in Reading is a result of the long-lasting good relations, and stu- dent exchanges, that exist between the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Lund and the Department in Reading. Especially great thanks must go to Professor Grenville Astill in Reading, who generously ar- ranged for my visit to Reading. He introduced me to British academia and gave invaluable advice whenever it was needed. Grenville, without your assistance, this book would never have been finished. Both Grenville and Professor Roberta Gilchrist read an early draft of the text and made valuable comments. Thank you both for your help. I also received valuable comments when presenting my project at seminars in Reading and at the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London, for which I am most grateful. During several lunches Dr Hella Eckardt, Dr Heinrich Härke and Eva Thaethe gave me valuable advice in how to be a foreigner in British academia. Heinrich also gave me a thorough in- sight into the administrative life of British universities. Back in Sweden, a more complete draft of the text was read by Professor Emeritus Hans Andersson, Lund, and Professor Anders Andrén, Stockholm, who both gave valuable advice. Remaining shortcomings of the text are solely the result of my own mistakes. The results have also been presented and discussed at semi- nars at the universities of Lund and Växjö. I am also grateful to the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History in Lund, who allowed me to publish this study in their new series Lund Studies in Historical Archaeology. Thanks must also go to Thomas Hansson for the layout of the book, and to Alan Crozier, who has revised my English. The publication of the book was made possible by generous grants from the Berit Wallenberg Foundation, the Magnus Bergvall Foundation and the Hallenblad Foundation. For this I am most grateful. I must also mention my generous employer, Smålands Museum, who once again granted me study leave. I am probably the single person in the history of the museum who has had the longest periods of study leave. Thanks must also go to the numerous scholars and institutions that have given me permission to reproduce plans and illustrations. I would particularly like to mention Professor Matthew Johnson, Dr Warwick Rodwell, Professor Richard Morris, Dr Robert Liddiard, Council of British Archaeology, East Anglican Archaeology, Society for Medieval Archaeology, the National Trust, British Museum, English Heritage, Riksantikvarieämbetet, Jönköpings läns museum and Smålands museum. Finally, this book is dedicated to the girls of my life, my wife Lena and daugh- ters Mimmi and Molly, who accompanied me to Reading. Molly took her first steps in a house in Reading, while her older sister Mimmi at the beginning was longing for her Swedish friends and very disturbed by the fact that not everyone understood Swedish. If you hadn’t been there with me, the year in Reading would not have been such a bright memory as it is today. Gemla in May 2006. Martin Hansson list of figures Fig. 1 The seal of Erik Magnusson c. 1300, Swedish duke. 15 Fig. 2 The aristocratic landscape at Kenilworth. 19 Fig. 3 Castle Rising in Norfolk as an example of architectural planning. 20 Fig. 4 The reconstructed manor at Cuxham c. 1315. 22 Fig. 5 Medieval society was based on the three orders, the bellatores, the oratores and the laboratores. 26 Fig. 6 The knighting and arming of Offa. 31 Fig. 7 The “Mappa Mundi”, world map of Ranulf Higden. 40 Fig. 8 North-western Europe, with the location of the two case study areas, Norfolk, England and Småland, Sweden. 46 Fig. 9 The location of Tiohärad in Småland in south Sweden. 47 Fig. 10 Manors and fortified residences in Tiohärad. 47 Fig. 11 Manors and residences in Kinnevald Hundred. 49 Fig. 12 The former bishop’s residence Kronoberg. 51 Fig. 13 The earthworks at Bosholme, Urshult Parish. 51 Fig. 14 The tower-house at Bergkvara in 1707. 53 Fig. 15 The cadastral map for the agrarian reform (Sw. storskifte) of Vederslöv 1761. 56 Fig. 16 The Romanesque stone church at Vederslöv. 57 Fig. 17 Castles and fortified residences in Tiohärad. 59 Fig. 18 The minor residence at Källarholmen, Ryssby Parish. 59 Fig. 19 The location of Launditch hundred in Norfolk. 61 Fig. 20 Manors and residences in the test area in Launditch c. 1080, c. 1250 and c. 1400. 64 Fig. 21 The medieval village of North Elmham.