Early Medieval strongholds on the Chodelka River and their settlement base

The article discusses issues related to four early mediaeval strongholds functioning in 8–12th c. in the valley of the Chodelka River. This river is the tributary of the Vistula River located in the west part of the Lublin region. The article discusses the characteristics of strongholds, surrounding settlements and mutual relationship between them.

The colony backup facilities in the Grzybowo stronghold

The article pertains to one of the most significant early-medieval strongholds in central Wielkopolska. At attempt has been made to present not only the most important conclusions on the discussed fortifications but also to analyse its colony backup facilities.

The ruler and his stronghold in Cosmas’ Chronicle and in the account of the chronicler’s continuator, the Vyšehrad Canon

The goal of this article is to show the narration contexts in which a medieval author set strongholds by referring to the following terms: oppidum, castrum or urbs, castellum, possibly civitas. I highlight the frequency with which selected medieval writers mentioned one centre or another. In the article I ponder a question if selected chroniclers’ narrations could indicate a regularity which helps to establish the function performed by a stronghold for the benefit of its ruler accounted most frequently.

Panovník a jeho hradiště v Kosmově kronice a v podání jeho pokračovatele, Kanovníka Vyšehradského

The article discusses the issue of stoneware in the time of the Grzybowo stronghold’s operations. Special emphasis has been placed on imports and contacts between the stronghold’s communities and various distant areas, ruled by the Piast dynasty and others.

Brousky, korálky, přesleny a jiné kamenné předměty z raně středověkého hradiště v Grzybowě

The use of the horse at the early medieval stronghold of Grzybowo in the light of archaeological sources

The stronghold in Grzybowo is one of the most important early Piast settlements with its origins dating back to 919–923. The construction of a powerful castle by the Piasts remains an object of consideration, given that they already used large strongholds in Giecz, Poznań, and Ostrów Lednicki in the centre of their domain. Grzybowo complemented these four sites, and soon (10th century) Gniezno followed suit. Perhaps the intention was to emphasise their dominion over the area, at the same time allocating specific strongholds to the family members to give them a sense of power. Among the numerous cultural materials recovered during the archaeological excavations are objects connected with the use of horses. Their skeletal remains have been separated in the archaeological material. In the early Middle Ages, the horse played an important military as well as cultural role. Historical sources suggest a significant role played by horses when travelling, in combat, and as the owner’s status symbol. The withers height of the Grzybowo horses suggests that they could have been high thus suitable for riding. The use of horses by the residents of the stronghold and the nearby settlements is supported by pieces of equestrian equipment, including fragments of horseshoes, and elements of bridles made of iron or antlers.