The purpose of this thesis is to examine the earliest active time period of the harbour of Västergarn on the island of Gotland. The exact time of the founding of Västergarn has been debated for almost a century. Extensive excavations were conducted between 2005 and 2013 by the University of Gotland which resulted in a large amount of pottery, of which the earliest type was the Baltic Sea ware. I aim to add to this discussion with a study of the morphology and chronology of the Baltic Sea ware found at the site. This type of pottery is an excellent archaeological source material for exploring the early history of Västergarn. Because the Baltic Sea ware is found all over the excavated area it provides evidence for the material needs of a growing urban population. As an everyday resource for the people of Västergarn it also indicates when the site was permanently settled.    The study of the morphology and the distribution pattern clearly shows that Västergarn was well populated already in the 12th century. Such an early date for occupation of the site has been questioned in earlier research. There is now archaeological evidence to argue that the settlement within the earthen rampart was probably founded in the second half of the 11th century. In the same time period Visby was established as an urban site. Furthermore, based on a topographical study comparing the presence of Baltic Sea ware in different trenches with the shore line I argue the rampart was constructed somewhere between circa 1000 and 1200 A.D. / Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka den tidigaste aktivitetsperioden i den gotländska hamnen Västergarn. Den exakta tiden för Västergarns grundande har debatterats i nästan ett århundrade. Extensiva utgrävningar genomförda av Högskolan på Gotland mellan 2005 och 2013 resulterade i en stor mängd keramik, varav östersjökeramiken är den äldsta. Jag ämnar utveckla denna diskussion med en studie av morfologin och kronologin av östersjökeramiken som finns på platsen. Denna godstyp är ett utmärkt arkeologiskt källmaterial i undersökningen av Västergarns tidiga historia. Då östersjökeramiken har hittats på nästan hela det utgrävda området bevisar det att en växande befolkning fanns på platsen. Som vardagsgods i Västergarn antyder keramiken också när platsen blev permanent befolkad.    Studien av östersjökeramikens morfologi och korologi visar också tydligt att Västergarn var välbefolkat redan under 1100-talet. En så tidig datering för platsens befolkning har länge varit ifrågasatt inom tidigare forskning. Nu finns det dock arkeologiskt bevis att platsen troligen blivit grundad under den andra halvan av 1000-talet. Staden Visby grundades under samma tidsperiod. Fortsättningsvis, med basis i en topografisk analys som jämför östersjökeramikens närvaro i vissa schakt med strandlinjen argumenterar jag för att Västergarnsvallen byggdes någon gång mellan cirka år 1000 och 1200.

Torture in the past is the subject of this dissertation. The aim of the study is to discuss one of the grand narratives of Swedish history. In an evolutionary frame Sweden has been put forward as a country which early developed judicial security for citizens. This dissertation contains a critique against an objectivistic view of the concept of knowledge. It proposes instead an evolutionary concept. In the discussion of sources I argue that although historians have been skilful in their evaluation of sources important problems still remains. The phenomenon of torture is here investigated at three different levels, as discourse, as norm and as practice. A point of departure is an overview of the discourse of torture and the use of torture in the past, from ancient times to the beginning of the early modern period in Europe. The purpose of that study is to gain some general insight concerning torture to which the main study, with focus on the phenomenon of torture in Sweden, could be related. The presentation of the history of torture starts in ancient Greece. The ability to use torture was regulated in Greek society. An important element in the discourse concerns a social regulation of torture; another is the connection with different concepts of truth. The conditions for the use of torture have changed over time. In early Middle Ages the practice of ordeals was common in Europe. In difficult cases tribes decided guilt with help from God. When the Christian church during the High Middle Ages rose to power it prohibited the use of ordeals. The obvious consequence of this act was that people had to make decisions by themselves, when they no longer could turn to God’s will when making decisions in severe judicial cases. In this context torture became important and was put into use. The existence of ordeals has been an obstacle to the use of torture. Torture had a strong position at the end of the medieval era, and this dissertation discusses whether the legislation is to be understood as implementation of torture or as regulation of an already existing practice. The first study of torture in a Swedish context deals with the discourse concerning the concept of torture. It is found that accusations of use of torture were used in propaganda and that torture in this context was understood as something unswedish and shameful. Next part focuses on the Old Swedish legislation prior to 1614. It is found that there is a prohibition against torture in the legislation from the fourteenth century, which must be regarded as a first attempt in Swedish law to regulate the use of torture. The study also focuses on the fact that the plaintiff had such extensive rights, that these could enable use of torture. The last part of the dissertation deals with the legal practice in Stockholm between 1474 and 1614. It identifies places for torture, actors and the judicial context in which the use of torture was practised.

This thesis analyses inhumations in Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages in Sweden and brings recognition to a material previously not delt with in a comprehensive study. The graves of the first Christians have long interested scholars. Some general characteristics are generally agreed upon, such as inhumations withan east-west orientation of the dead and fewer grave goods in relation to earlier periods. Some deviant materials are also found in the graves but have not been thoroughly analyzed. This thesis deals with this recurrent deviant material, arguing that it is an essential part of Conversion Era graves in southern Scandinavia. Furthermore, this recurrent deviant material is key for our understanding of the burial tradition during the Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages. Parallels in both France and Britain put the material in perspective. / <p>Examinatorerna bestod av en grupp anställda vid institutionen.</p>

Lagga socken är ett arkeologiskt intressant område med många fornlämningar från järnåldern. Strandförskjutningen har förändrat området över tid. Långhundraleden, en viktig forntida vattenled, går genom området och är central för att förstå utvecklingen av området. Området låg i Attundaland men var en gränstrakt till Tiundaland. I Tiundaland ligger Gamla Uppsala som påverkat området. Extra stora gravhögar, så kallade storhögar, är många på en liten yta. Det finns också storhögar som är demolerade, men kan hittas på historiska kartor. Kashögen är en av dessa försvunna högar. Kashögen ligger vid Kasby och förledet i ortnamnet, -Kas, är förknippat med vårdkase och varningseldar som användes för kommunikation och varning ifall fiender var i annalkande.Uppsatsen beskriver Kashögen som att vara den första, den största och den storhög som initierar att de andra storhögarna i området byggs.

This study will investigate whether knights&amp;#39; and samurais’ practical skillsbuild on the same core beliefs and values.To do so, I will try to summarise the practical skills and equipment of knightsand samurai respectively with a focus on historical accuracy to establish ageneral picture of the methods of war for both.The essay will then use that picture as a springboard to compare the twowhile staying limited to the practical aspect. This comparison will then usemilitary history science principles to interpret the core of knight and samuraiwarfare respectively and should they be different, try to investigate if there isa plausible practical reason that explains the deviation from the values or if itis more likely to be a difference in beliefs between them.

During the Middle Ages, the fasting period held significant importance in Scandinavia. Thefast began on Ash Wednesday and lasted for 40 days until Easter, symbolizing Jesus time inthe desert. But before this, occurred a spectacular holiday, a northern equivalent of theeuropean Carnival, Fastlagen. It was a time for wild games and, most notably, masquerades.This paper examines the presence of masked figures and characters during the publicprocessions and performances of the Fastlagen festival in Sweden and Denmark from theMiddle Ages to the 17th century. The study explores how these portrayals fit into popularcultural beliefs and traditions, and what roles they seem to represent during the festivities.The analysis considers these expressions symbolical role and ritual meaning, the part theyplayed and the fears and perceptions they evoked.

This paper deals with isotope analyses of bones and teeth of two individuals from a medieval cemetery in Västerhus, Jämtland with the purpose to ascertain the diet and how much fish the people ate. The stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen have been analysed with isotope-ratio mass sepectrometry and the diet of the people in Västerhus has been studied. The results show that most of the people had a terrestrial diet and by comparing with Sigtuna, Uppland and Varnhem, Västergötland it was possible to conclude that they ate meat and vegetable feed.

<p>This paper deals with three mediaeval churches in the town Visby, Gotland. These churches were located in different areas in Visby. Allegedly the areas where St Hans and Ste Gertrud were located were inhabited by wealthier people, and the more peripheral area where St Mikael was located was where the poor lived. Therefore, the people that were buried at St Mikael should be of lower social status than the people buried at St Hans and Ste Gertrud. Based on the fact that an individuals diet was dependant on his or hers social status, dietary studies on skeletal remains from the three different churches have been conducted to find out dietary patterns among the individuals buried at each church respectively. The studies have included stable isotope ratio analyses, δ13C and δ15N, in human bone collagen. The results support the hypothesis that there were differences between individuals buried at different churches as stated above.</p>

This paper deals with three mediaeval churches in the town Visby, Gotland. These churches were located in different areas in Visby. Allegedly the areas where St Hans and Ste Gertrud were located were inhabited by wealthier people, and the more peripheral area where St Mikael was located was where the poor lived. Therefore, the people that were buried at St Mikael should be of lower social status than the people buried at St Hans and Ste Gertrud. Based on the fact that an individuals diet was dependant on his or hers social status, dietary studies on skeletal remains from the three different churches have been conducted to find out dietary patterns among the individuals buried at each church respectively. The studies have included stable isotope ratio analyses, δ13C and δ15N, in human bone collagen. The results support the hypothesis that there were differences between individuals buried at different churches as stated above.

Abstract Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka vilken eller vilka orsaker till det första korståget som olika nutida författare framställer som de mest centrala samt att fundera över varför de olika författarna skiljer sig åt. De ta görs genom en litteraturstudie där fyra nutida författare används. Dessa författare är Christopher Tyerman, Andrew Wheatcroft, Dick Harrison och Sören Wibeck. Varje författare presenteras separat och de orsaker som han lägger fram som de mest centrala beskriv. Resultatet av denna uppsats visar att de orsaker som olika författare tar upp som de mest centrala bakom det först korståget skiljer sig åt beroende på hur författaren inriktat sin bok. De orsaker som togs upp av de fyra författarna var följande. Investiturstriden, Seldjukernas expansion, Al-Hakims härjningar, Peter Eremitens predikningar, svält och fattigdom i Europa samt befolkningens missnöje med att det var osäkert längs pilgrimslederna till paradisstaden Jerusalem.