The High-Medieval Royal Manor Complex (original) (raw)

In 2017, the remains of a 51 meters long and 10 meters wide masonry building were excavated south of the 13th-century St Óláfr’s Church at Avaldsnes. These remains represent the eastern wing of the high-medieval royal manor complex at Avaldsnes, of which the church constituted the northern wing. This chapter describes and discusses the layout, functions, and building history of the eastern wing. Part of the eastern wing was discovered and partially excavated in 2012; interpretations based on earlier results will be re-evaluated in light of new evidence. Historical sources, a selection of recovered artefacts, and results from scientific analyses are brought into the discussion. Central themes of discussion are the building history of the complex, the functions of its components and of the whole, and the possibility of continuity between the medieval manor and the rectory that later occupied the same site. The most important results are strong indications of precisely such continuity, evidence of at least two building phases around AD 1250 and 1300 and of a much larger and more monumental manor complex than was previously realised. Also, several observations indicate the distinctly multifunctional nature of the complex, well-suited to the geographical site and to the royal administration of the period.