ABSTRACT

The Archaeology of the Prussian Crusade explores the archaeology and material culture of the crusades against the Prussian tribes in the 13th century, and the resulting society created by the Teutonic Order which endured into the 16th century.

It provides an updated synthesis of the material culture of this unique, hybrid society in the south-eastern Baltic region, encompassing the full range of archaeological data, from standing buildings through to artefacts and ecofacts, integrated with written and artistic sources. The work is sub-divided into broadly chronological themes, beginning with a historical outline, then exploring the settlements, castles, towns and landscapes of the Teutonic Order’s theocratic state, the character and tempo of religious transformation and concluding with the roles of the reconstructed and ruined monuments of medieval Prussia in the modern world, particularly within the context of Polish culture.

This remains the first work on the archaeology of medieval Prussia in any language, and is intended as a comprehensive introduction to a period and area of growing interest. This book represents an important contribution to promoting International awareness of the cultural heritage of the Baltic region, which has been rapidly increasing over the last few decades.

chapter 1|44 pages

Introduction

Historical framework and sources

chapter 2|47 pages

Pre-Christian Prussia

Early medieval Baltic society

chapter 3|51 pages

The Ravages of Holy War

Crusade and colonisation in the thirteenth century

chapter 4|58 pages

A Land of Red Castles

Consolidating the Teutonic Order's state in the fourteenth century

chapter 5|52 pages

From Colonisation to Urbanisation

Towns and international trade

chapter 6|47 pages

Converting Prussia

The Christianisation of the Teutonic Order's state

chapter 7|44 pages

From Forest to Field 1

The changing environment of medieval Prussia

chapter 8|38 pages

The End of Holy War

From the decline of a crusader state in the fifteenth century to constructing memories of medieval Prussia in the twentieth century

chapter 9|10 pages

Conclusion

Holy war and colonisation