ABSTRACT
During the Early Middle Ages, Scandinavian churches were mainly built by private patrons, and only later transformed into proper parish churches, managed by congregations. What differences in coin use might have resulted from the different ways a church was managed? The formation of parishes and monetisation were two processes of major societal consequence in the Middle Ages. Assuming that coins reflect their historical context, but also affected people’s everyday and religious lives, can they help us to see such changes? Are coin finds in churches useful for interpreting the role of coins outside of that specific context, or does the unique character of the ecclesiastical context make them different?
Based on the study of two Swedish churches and their coin finds – evaluating the composition of coin finds, depositional processes and the historical and religious contexts – this chapter argues that coin use in Swedish churches took off in a significant way with the formation of parishes in the thirteenth century. It also demonstrates that coin use in churches was largely connected with offerings and specific events, such as the celebration of a designated saint’s day and fundraising for building projects.
