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Iron blade, badly rusted nowSilver, inlaid in
geometric patternsProjections called
finials decorate
t he gablesGUARDING THE FORT
Various weapons have
been found at the forts. This
beautiful T-shaped ax head
(p. 15) comes from a grave at
Trelleborg. It was probably
a sign of prestige or
power, as well as
a weapon. A light
throwing spear
was found in a
guardhouse at the
Fyrkat fortress.Sturdy wooden posts
hold up t he roof
Walls made of stavesTHE COMPLETE WORKS OF HARALD BLUETOOTH
The four forts were only one of King Harald Bluetooth’s
huge projects, which have changed the Danish landscape to
this day. His engineering works include the first bridge in
Scandinavia, a huge wooden structure at Ravning Enge in
Jutland. He also strengthened the Danevirke, a massive wall
that protected Denmark from invasion from the south. And
he built a grand memorial at Jelling in Jutland (above). This
includes the Jelling Stone, the biggest and grandest of
Viking memorial stones (pp. 60–61).TRELLEBORG HOUSE, FRONT VIEW
The houses were built of upright
staves (wooden planks) set straight
into the earth. They all followed a
standard pattern. The main door at
each end opened into a small
room. These led in turn into a
huge central living room, where
a big fire always burned.
Farmhouses like those excavated
at Vorbasse in Jutland have a
similar layout. The wood must
have rotted quickly, and there
is no evidence of repairs.
The forts were probably
only inhabited for a few
years. King Harald was
killed in battle in 986.
Soon after this date, the
forts he had built were
abandoned and left to rot.
Main doorRoof is covered in overlapping
shingles (wooden tiles)Smoke hole over t he fire, which
burned in a heart h in t he middle
of t he central living roomFinials