Wall charts, history and European Identity

EU Culture Programme; Education and Culture DG

Nordic Thing in the Middle Age

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Series:

Hjortzberg, Geschichtliche Bilder

Timeframe:

Mittelalter

Scene of action:

Unknown

Illustrator:

Hjortzberg, O.

Publisher:

Norstedt und Söner/Westermann/Esselte/Stockmann, P., Stockholm

Year of publication:

1932

Themes:

European history   

The picture shows a folkmoot (Old English „meeting of the people”) according to the old Germanic rules between the year 0 and 500 A.C. All the free members of a tribe or district are gathering on the so called thingstead. The hill nearby is crowded with spectators. In a fenced circle in the foreground, the Elders are negotiating a “thing”. In this case it seems to be a matter of war and peace: Warriors in chain mails and armored with shield and lances mount guard over the thingstead.