temp nr. 4 2012 - temp – tidsskrift for historie

61
MATHIAS CEDERHOLM
FIL. DR, T.F. LEKTOR
HISTORISKA INSTITUTIONEN,
LUNDS UNIVERSITET
ABSTRACT
A questioned Order of Estates – Peasants in arms, privileges and revolts: social
and political status in the border region between Denmark and Sweden
around 1500.
This article investigates the relation between conceptions of status and processes
of militarization of peasants in the medieval and early-modern society. In an
initial overview we see how many revolts in western Europe in late Middle Ages
were connected to an increased military participation of peasant groups. After
1500 similar processes can be found in the eastern European frontier regions.
Economic rights, tax privileges, political and legal competences, a “peasant gentry”
status, anti-aristocratic sentiments were issues of status which often were
raised. These patterns are also found in the border region between Denmark and
Sweden around 1500. The peasantry was drawn into recurrent levies, and tax exemptions
developed. In several larger rebellions the issues of the right to carry
arms, of taxes/exemptions and anti-aristocratism were central, and several political/legal
competences of the peasantry were temporarily strengthened. The
tensions regarding status around 1500 could involve material manifestations of
status as well. In at least one revolt in the region, also the right to lavish buildings
and clothing was defended. In many ways revolts were about status, and military
participation could in some contexts increase the status of peasant groups, but
we also have to understand status in a broader way.