Between East and West Europe. A ducal motte-type residence from the first half of the 13 th century in Chełm (south-east Poland)

Abstract

Abstract Motte-type castles were among the most widespread residential and defensive objects in medieval Europe, founded by rulers, bishops, nobility and knights. This cultural phenomenon is investigated both in terms of its origins, chronology, and spread. An interesting example is the princely complex in Chełm, built in the 13th century on the western outskirts of Rus’ as the capital of Danylo Romanovich and remaining under his successors’ rule until the 1330s. Many years of archaeological research have yielded intriguing results indicating that the form of the princely residence referred to a motte-type structure of Western European origin. What should be stressed here is a relative early chronology of the complex, particularly with regard to the spread of motte-type objects in East-Central Europe (1230s). The summary of research data indicates that the spread of this new type of fortification in western Rus’ was inspired by the founding activity of Prince Daniel, and from 1264 – his successors. A comparative analysis of the Chełm complex and European mottes points to numerous analogies. They concern primarily forms – a centrally located towers and residential buildings erected either on a mound or on solid ground and then surrounded by an embankment. A fortification in the form of a rampart or palisade was built on the edge of the mound. Analogies to the Chełm foundation from both Phases I and II can be found practically throughout all of Europe, just to mention Bretoncelles (France), Lürken, Schulenburg, Krepe, Hoppenrade, Neuendorf, Schöna (Germany), Farnham, phase I (England). A specific construction of the Phase I mound, with an external stone wall deserves particular attention. Such constructional solution is relatively rare, although it was confirmed in various parts of Europe, from England through the Netherlands to southern Italy, e. g., in Borssele (Netherlands), Farnham (England), Ghent (Belgium), San Marco Argentano (Italy). Noteworthy, objects listed above are interpreted as transitional between a motte and a regular castle. Objects of this type have not been registered either in today’s Poland or in other countries of East-Central Europe. The motte-type residence in Chełm, dated back to the 1230s, can be regarded one of the most interesting examples of cultural contacts between Rus’ and Western Europe. The expected research direction is further investigation of motte-type structures in Central and Eastern Europe, focused on their chronology, construction techniques, spatial organization, and founders.