Maria Lingström: Mästerby, 1361: Battlefield Archaeological Perspectives on the Danish Invasion of Gotland

Abstract

In July 1361, King Valdemar IV of Denmark invaded the island of Gotland, situated in the central Baltic Sea. The overall objective of this thesis is to assess this invasion from a battlefield archaeological perspective, and to re-evaluate theories presented so far, thereby conceivably presenting a more detailed and nuanced image of the events at hand. What stories might the battlefield archaeological material convey? 

A central aim is to capture the battle events, which took place in Mästerby parish in central Gotland, on the days prior to the Battle at Visby on 27 July. The Mästerby material represents ‘frozen moments,’ which unfolded within hours, minutes, and even merely seconds. It comprises to date circa 500 conflict-related artefacts, which have been located in and near the former wetland of Fjäle myr. The vast majority of the finds are ferrous. They encompass offensive and defensive weaponry, including fragments of swords, spears, crossbows, bolts, mail, and coats of plates. Within the main battle area, small iron and lead projectiles have also been located, which might imply the use of firearms during the invasion. 

The weaponry artefacts may enable studies of strategical, tactical, technological, and social aspects of the invasion. In order to reach the overall objective of this thesis, I endeavour to answer the following main research questions: How can the battlefield archaeological material from Mästerby contribute to and nuance our knowledge regarding the 1361 invasion? How do the Mästerby battlefield archaeological artefacts relate to the Korsbetningen material, and finally: How can the 1361 invasion and other medieval martial events contribute to our understanding of the Gotlandic society and its martial organisation?

The finds constitute a ‘time map’ on which battlefield events are traced. They represent direct martial activity, although no 1361-related human remains have been discovered in Mästerby to date. The battlefield in Visby, despite its renown, has not been located on an archaeological basis, whereas the Korsbetningen mass graves comprise a ‘secondary’ martial context, in that both corpses and battle-related objects have been moved from the actual battle site. In the graves, evidence of weapons is indirectly revealed by skeletal-related traumas, i.e. stab and crush marks. Suits of armour, however, were recovered largely intact, as opposed to the Mästerby armour, which is highly fragmented due to its location in arable land. Thus, the Mästerby and the Visby materials comprise ‘two sides of the same coin’. 

Although impressive, this archaeological and osteological evidence has functioned largely as background material for almost a century, explaining why the Gotlanders lost rather than scrutinising the nature of the said remains. This overshadowing narrative, depicting the islanders as unprepared and badly-equipped, has led research on the Danish Invasion to focus on the Gotlandic defeat as a scientific point of departure. The battlefield archaeological perspective from Mästerby, however, tells a potentially different story, which I endeavour to convey. This thesis might plausibly reveal a more nuanced viewpoint regarding the invasion, the battles fought and the contingents involved.