Sources

Some sources to Danish medieval history are extremely difficult to interpret because they are singular. It is the intent to publish some of these sources here and ask all who look at this page if they know of any parallel from other countries.

List of Brethren - any parallels?

One of the great puzzles of Danish medieval history is a list of fratres from the late eleventh century with names of prominent ecclesiastical and lay magnates and the king. It was copied in the middle of the thirteenth century together with important royal fiscal lists and was thus deemed of great importance to royal policy. But there is no indication in the manuscript of the purpose of compiling this list of fratres.

The list is ordered according to "Syssel" (an old and probably lay administrative unit smaller than the county). For each syssel is given the names of two to eight fratres. The names that can be identified belong to the absolute top aristocracy, including the bishops. But the fratres are placed in another syssel than they belonged to: Lay magnates outside the area where they owned land; bishops outside their episcopal diocese. The names belong to individuals living in the late twelfth century including king Canute VI (1182-1201).

Danish historians have interpreted the list very differently. The late Kai Hørby suggested that it reflected the preparation for a major crusade. The fratres should then have been given responsibility of organising the crusade in different syssels.

Does anybody know of any parallels to this list? Please contact us.

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Funeral Plaque of Valdemar the Great (died 1182)

King Valdemar the Great died in 1182 and was buried with a leaden funeral plaque commemorating the deeds of the king. A prominent place is given to the fact that King Valdemar christianized the Slavic Vends on the island of Rygen, which was conquered by the king in 1169. Valdemar also had it emphasized that he christianized the Vends as the son of Duke Canute who was canonised in by papal decision in 1169.

Are there any parallels to this kind of funeral plaque - in Scandinavia or elsewhere?
Are there any parallels to the close combination of King, Crusade and Canonisation. Please contact us.

Click thumbnail to enlarge.