Skip to main content

IMC 2013: Sessions

Session 1019: The Pleasures of the Hanseatic World: Entertainment in Medieval Gdańsk

Wednesday 3 July 2013, 09.00-10.30

Organiser:Beata Możejko, Zakład Historii Średniowiecza Polski i Nauk Pomocniczych Historii, Uniwersytet Gdański
Moderator/Chair:Anna Adamska, Onderzoekinstituut voor Geschiedenis en Kunstgeschiedenis, Universiteit Utrecht
Paper 1019-aA Rattle, a Toy Sword, and an Amber Die: The Evolution of Games and Toys in Medieval Gdańsk
(Language: English)
Jędrzej Szerle, Zakład Historii Średniowiecza Polski i Nauk Pomocniczych Historii, Uniwersytet Gdański
Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Folk Studies, Local History, Social History
Paper 1019-bGames and Celebrations in Honour of the Visit of King Alexander Jagiellon and His Wife Helena in Gdańsk in 1504
(Language: English)
Ewa Bojaruniec, Muzeum Historyczne Miasta Gdańska
Index terms: Daily Life, Gender Studies, Local History, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1019-cArtus Court in Gdańsk as a Centre of Pleasure for Medieval Townspeople
(Language: English)
Beata Możejko, Zakład Historii Średniowiecza Polski i Nauk Pomocniczych Historii, Uniwersytet Gdański
Index terms: Daily Life, Gender Studies, Local History, Social History
Abstract

The proposed section consists of three papers discussing various aspects of pleasure in medieval Hanseatic Gdańsk. The subject of the first one is children's play and fun; the author, basing on archeological research, focuses on the toys and games of the early medieval Gdańsk. The findings are analyzed and compared with similar artifacts from the Baltic Sea's basin. The second paper focuses on the Artus Court, a center of elite fun and entertainment for the affluent townspeople of Gdańsk. King Arthur, the model knight, became a symbol of cultured and exclusive ways of spending time, such as debates, games and tournaments. The subject of the last paper is the celebration connected with the visit of Alexander Jagiellon and his wife Helena in Gdańsk in 1504. This is the first royal visit described in the sources. To honor them, numerous parties and knightings took place, but the royal couple’s favorite pastimes were walks on the beach and sightseeing.