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Denmark and the
Crusading Movement
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Debate
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Some sources to Danish medieval
history is 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.
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List of Bretherns -
any parallel?
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??
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