Building Glory : Elite Palaces in Early and High Medieval Scandinavia

• Buildings such as castles and palaces were of utmost importance for the display of social rank and the production of legitimacy for the Scandinavian elites. The palace could be a specific building inside a castle, integrated into a fortified structure, or unfortified. This chapter discusses how the Scandinavian elite during the Early and High Middle Ages used buildings and locations in the landscape to enhance and confirm social identity and power. The unfortified royal palaces in Dalby, Alsnö and Vadstena in present-day Sweden are in focus. Within the exclusive and excluding space of these structures, kings, queens, nobles and aristocratic retainers would find their elevated status, lifestyle and rule articulated and justified. The palaces introduced new architectural features and building materials, but also capitalized on history and past glory. Through their architectural features, building material and location in the landscape, they dominated their physical surroundings like their residents dominated society.

• Buildings such as castles and palaces were or of utmost importance for the display of social rank and the production of legitimacy for the Scandinavian elites. The palace could be a specific building inside a castle, integrated into a fortified structure, or unfortified. This chapter discusses how the Scandinavian elite during the Early and High Middle Ages used buildings and locations in the landscape to enhance and confirm social identity and power. The unfortified royal palaces in Dalby, Alsnö and Vadstena in present-day Sweden are in focus. Within the exclusive and excluding space of these structures kings, queens, nobles and aristocratic retainers would find their elevated status, lifestyle and rule articulated and justified. The palaces introduced new architectural features and building materials, but also capitalized on history and past glory. Through their architectural features, building material and location in the landscape, they dominated their physical surroundings like their residents dominated society.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Arkeologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- Archaeology (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Arkitektur (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Architecture (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Palaces

Medieval

Scandinavia

Alsnö

Vadstena

Dalby

Space

Architecture

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kap (ämneskategori)

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