The archaeology of the Prussian Crusade : holy war and colonisation

The Archaeology Of The Prussian Crusade Explores The Archaeology And Material Culture Of The Crusade Against The Prussian Tribes In The 13th Century, And The Subsequent Society Created By The Teutonic Order Which Lasted Into The 16th Century. It Provides The First Synthesis Of The Material Culture Of A Unique Crusading Society Created In The South-eastern Baltic Region Over The Course Of The 13th Century. It Encompasses 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, Exploring The Settlements, Castles, Towns And Landscapes Of The Teutonic Order's Theocratic State And Concluding With The Role Of The Reconstructed And Ruined Monuments Of Medieval Prussia In The Modern World In The Context Of Modern Polish Culture. This Is 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.--publisher's Website. Introduction : Historical Framework And Sorces -- Pre-christian Prussia : Early Medieval Baltic Society -- The Ravages Of Holy War : Crusade And Colonisation In The Thirteenth Century -- A Land Of Red Castles : Consolidating The Teutonic Order's State In The Fourteenth Century -- From Colonisation To Urbanisation : Towns And International Trade -- Converting Prussia: The Christianisation Of The Teutonic Order's State -- From Forest To Field : The Changing Environment Of Medieval Prussia -- 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 -- Conclusion: Holy War And Colonisation. Aleksander Pluskowski. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [386]-422) And Index. The Archaeology of the Prussian Crusade explores the archaeology and material culture of the crusade against the Prussian tribes in the 13 th century, and the subsequent society created by the Teutonic Order which lasted into the 16 th century. It provides the first synthesis of the material culture of a unique crusading society created in the south-eastern Baltic region over the course of the 13th century. It encompasses 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, exploring the settlements, castles, towns and landscapes of the Teutonic Orders theocratic state and concluding with the role of the reconstructed and ruined monuments of medieval Prussia in the modern world in the context of modern Polish culture.This is 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. List of figures ix Preface and acknowledgements xiii Terminology and glossary xv 1. Introduction: historical framework and sources 1 2. Pre-Christian Prussia: early medieval Baltic society 43 3. The ravages of holy war: crusade and colonisation in the thirteenth century 89 4. A land of red castles: consolidating the Teutonic Order’s state in the fourteenth century 140 5. From colonisation to urbanisation: towns and international trade 196 6. Converting Prussia: the Christianisation of the Teutonic Order’s state 246 7. From forest to field: the changing environment of medieval Prussia 294 8. 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 337 9. Conclusion: holy war and colonisation 375 Further reading 385 Bibliography 386 Index 423