The Forests of Naissaare Island in 1297–1698 in relation to the development of the City of Tallinn, Estonia

Heldur Sander,Toivo Meikar

doi:10.2478/fsmu-2021-0002

Abstract

Abstract The article explores the development of the North Estonian city of Tallinn and the history of the forests on Naissaar, the greatest of the four offshore islands, in the 13th–17th century. In 1219, the northern part of Estonia was conquered by King of Denmark Waldemar II, who built a new stone citadel on the site of the former Estonian stronghold on the hill of Toompea. Under the sovereign rule of the King of Denmark, North Estonia became the Duchy of Estonia. Subsequently, the citadel developed into the settlement of Toompea, the seat of the governor and state authority, and the surrounding areas into the settlement of Tallinn. In 1248, Tallinn gained Lübeck city rights. King of Denmark Erik VI Menved’s law of 1297 granted the city of Tallinn and Toompea, i.e., the state, joint use of the insular forests. The law came to be interpreted as the beginning of nature conservation in Estonia, as it was the first law regulating forest use and users. Naissaare forest also served as a landmark for sea vessels. As the state did not interfere with the city’s affairs, the latter saw itself as the sole owner of Naissaare Island. Over the next four centuries, Tallinn exploited the Naissaare forests for various purposes. The city managed the forests with relative economy, but not without conflicts, as the provincial government also contended for the use of Naissaare. In 1689, the state asserted its rule over the islands by reduction. The city of Tallinn was forced to terminate the use of Naissaare forests, with the right of forest use reserved to the state.

Highlights

In European forestry literature, medieval forests have captured relatively much attention
Several acts and deeds regulating forest utilization are known from the Middle Ages
In his work several aspects related to the history of urban forestry from the Middle Ages until the present time are discussed in a more general way than in the works of other authors

Summary

Introduction

In European forestry literature, medieval forests have captured relatively much attention. From the year 1415 it is known that in Telliskopli (the present-day Kopli peninsula north-west part of Tallinn), belonging to the town’s mark since 1365, by the agreement with the Town Council, only 7 fishermen’s huts were allowed, with determined measurements; the fishermen could have 7 horses but no cattle (probably on the account of the ban on forest grazing) Neither could they use the local forest, but had the permission to obtain their fuel wood from the islands near Tallinn, which has been repeatedly referred to later. In the 17th century, a sharp conflict developed between the City of Tallinn and the Governor representing the Swedish power, over the use and even the ownership of the forest of Naissaar It started with the argument about the borders of the town’s mark, while the special interest of the State in this island became gradually more evident. At least the latter promise was never fulfilled, if we do not consider the few proffers from the beginning of the 19th century, of the possibility of clearing the windfall on the island for fuel wood

Conclusion

The law of 1297 and the other previous indirect evidence suggest that