Description
Book SynopsisFocusing on visual sources and the cultural landscape, Kersti Markus offers a fresh perspective on the Baltic crusades in Visual Culture and Politics in the Baltic Sea Region, 1100-1250. The book examines how visual propaganda was used by the Danish rulers as an instrument in establishing supremacy in the Baltic Sea region. In recent decades, Danish historians have highlighted the central role of the Valdemar dynasty and the bishops supporting them in the Baltic crusades, but visual sources show how the entire society was mentally prepared for a journey with redemption waiting at the end. A New Jerusalem was being built in Scandinavia, and the crusade to Livonia was conducted under the banner of Christ. See inside the book.
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments List of Figures Abbreviations 1 Visual Sources and the Danish Crusades 1.1 The Development of Church Studies in Estonia, Latvia and Scandinavia 1.2 Danish Historiography on the Crusades 1.3 Prospects of Visual Sources in the Study of Baltic Crusades 2 Visual Rhetoric in Denmark in the Period of the Baltic Crusades 2.1 The Chapel at the Christian Ruler’s Residence 2.2 Imitation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre 2.3 Round Churches of Eskil’s Era 2.4 Jerusalem of the North 2.5 The Theocratic Reign of the Valdemar Dynasty 2.6 Warriors of Christ 2.7 Foothold of the Crusaders in the Baltic Sea: the Island of Bornholm 2.8 Conclusion 3 Visual Performances of Power in Sweden 3.1 The Holy City in Västergötland 3.2 Self-Assertion of the Sverker Dynasty in Östergötland 3.3 Warriors of Christ in the Valley of Lake Mälaren 3.4 Gate to Livonia: the Kalmar Sound 3.5 Conclusion 4 From Trade to Crusade: Visby 4.1 Merchant Churches 4.2 Rus’ Trade of the Varangians: St. Olaf’s Churches 4.3 German Merchants and Crusaders in Visby: the St. Mary’s Church 4.4 The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Visby 4.5 Conclusion 5 Manifesting a Presence in Livonia and Estonia 5.1 Fortified Outposts 5.2 Founding a Town from the German Perspective: Riga 5.3 Founding a Town from the Danish Perspective: Tallinn 5.4 The Danish Mission and the Cistercians 5.5 The German Mission and the Cistercians 5.6 Conclusion Afterword: Art and Politics on the Borderland Bibliography Index
