2020

rozdział w monografii naukowej

niemiecki

EN Silesian motte and bailey castles in the light of archaeological and written sources Silesia, an integral part of Poland in the early Middle Ages, as one of the westernmost regions of the Polish state, came in the 12th and 13th centuries under the influence of the German cultural sphere. During this period, large parts of eastern Central Europe underwent incisive political, economic and cultural changes, which can be attributed partly to the great settlement and acculturation process of the German land expansion, and partly to general changes in the economic and ruling structures in the Slavic area in the course of a period of transformation and innovation. One of the results of the multi-aspect cultural transformations that were taking place in Silesia was change to the landscape of settlement: many settlements became deserted, new villages and towns emerged, and the castle landscape also changed decisively. Significant changes are also visible in the social and law spheres: the progressive process of feudalization of society and the development of land lordship, as well as the adoption of German law. An important role in these changes played castles, which as seats of authority were the starting point for further activities of their founders and owners - dukes as well as aristocrats. During this period of change spread over a large part of East-Central Europe, including Silesia, new type of the castles in the form of motte and bailey, usually with a central tower. In the form of high and large Objects they come as dukes fortifications, but in the mass they are the seats of the lower nobility in the high and late Middle Ages. The motte and bailey castles of Silesia have not been treated separately in previous studies. However, the limited archaeological research already suggests that the first of such fortifications were built by the knighthood at the end of the 13th century. A somewhat earlier period, in the 2nd half of the 13th century, were built castles with more or less artificially heaped up or otherwise carved out mounds. In this time Silesia became divided between successors of duke Henry II the Pious (+1241). The culmination of the feudal fragmentation of Silesia occurred in the fourteenth century, when several independent duchies were functioning in this area. Feudal fragmentation and the costs of introducing new settlers reduced ducal income, hence the castles built in that time represent a considerably reduced design. These fortifications built on the ducal initiative in the literature are called as "colonization" and "transitional" type of the castles. Formally these were fortifications, often linked to castles motte and bailey type, and built from timber, earth, and clay. The building of cheap and relatively easy to erect castles enabled individual dukes to overtake the competition of their opponents. In the following centuries, in a time of weakened ducal power, numerous motte and bailey castles were erected by the nobilities, and a specially by knights. Landlords wanted reserved the right to build fortified places reacted with pacification actions, by the destruction of the castles, and with the introduction of the feudal system, the rules of which are precisely formulated in the Land Law (Sachsenspiegel). Since the end of the 13th century in Silesia valid form of the Sachsenspiegel can be found articles that regulated the construction of fortified seats. It seems that most of the Silesian private castles in relationship of their small size correspond to such fortifications, which building, according to the clause of the Sachsenspiegel, did not have to be approved by the dukes. The spread of private defense seats of the motte and bailey type in Silesia is connected with the feudal system introduced by Silesian dukes, according to which private landowners (knights, citizens, village mayors) were obliged to military service. Small fortified seats strengthened his small estate. The house with its equipment, mostly a tower, provided protection and accommodation for the founder's family, and the other buildings were his closest economic base.

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https://www.repozytorium.uni.wroc.pl/dlibra/publication/94815/edition/89380

A castle as a status symbol

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