Medieval Archaeology 17

The work of Erä-Esko and the finds at the Helgö workshop have greatly increased our knowledge of Salin's Style I ornament in E Scandinavia. It is suggested that the frequent use in this style of small ornamental fields bordered by high ridges was a technical feature to prevent the mould from cracking during casting, especially where high-tempered bronze was used. Mould fragility was evidently a real problem, except for smaller moulds. E Scandinavian ornament has often been misinterpreted owing to its small size and corrosion, but the Erä-Esko method of study, surprisingly not used in the Helgö publication, shows that it was highly developed, and probably very widespread internationally. Some revised interpretations of the Helgö material are offered.

Schultz's 1942 reconstruction is unsatisfactory on a number of counts, as previous scholars have realised, and more recent evidence from Fyrkat, Aggersborg and Trelleborg provides the opportunity for this fresh attempt. The general plan of the Trelleborg house is very like that of the 14th century (75/3093) English hall, but the roof was of trussed rafter type with a buttress at every rafter (cf Warendorf and Elisenhof) and the walls were of upright planks. The convex plan reflected a contemporary fashion shortly to be superseded. Adduced in support of the new reconstruction are many two- and three-dimensional representations, e.g. Bayeux Tapestry and the picture-stones, and there is considerable discussion of hogback gravestones as copies of Scandinavian longhouse exteriors.

A group of 28 houses in the Vale is sharply distinguished from those in the City of York, which lies centrally to their distribution. They have no wings or jetties; their roofs are in the common-rafter tradition. Most of their plans derive from the aisled hall, and they remain associated with the common rafter roofs even after these have been abandoned in the W Riding. Their wall-framing relates to that of the W Riding. In general they represent dwellings of comparatively wealthy but non-manorial families.