Arbor custodie que vulgariter dicitur wartboum. Funkcje i występowanie tzw. drzew wartowniczych na obszarze Żuław Wiślanych i Pomezanii w XIII–XIV wieku

• Authors: Seweryn Szczepański

Title variants

EN

Arbor custodie que vulgariter dicitur Wartboum. The function and existence of the so-called “guard trees” in Pomesania and Żuławy Wiślane in the 13th–14th centuries

• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

The so-called “guard trees” (Wartboum) did not arise much interest among researchers. So far there has not appeared any extensive article discussing wholly or at least partly the issue of the existence and function of the places to be found in the sources concerning Prussia under the Latin name “arbor custodie” and the German name “Wartbaum”. The name itself suggests that they were trees used as guard stations. The trees could have been additionally fortified, which is confirmed by the chronicler Peter from Dusburg in his records about the tree fortified by a palisade and wire entanglements, which was situated in the place where later Toruń was set up. The question of the function of guard-trees, which were found in other parts of Prussia, was usually considered in reference to Toruń. However, it was never discussed thoroughly In the sources concerning Pomesania and Żuławy Wiślane from the 13th and 14th centuries the following guard-trees are to be found: 1) In the document of 10 March 1254, near the crossing through the Nogat, probably near Pogorzała Wieś (formerly known as Wernersdorf). 2) In the document of 26 June 1280 next to the border of the field of Lupin (now Chojty – formerly known as Koiten), near the road from Żuławka Sztumska (formerly known as Posilge) to Dzierzgoń (formerly known as Christburg). 3) In the document of 1 February 1324 on the border between the Pomesanian bishopric and the Christburg commandry, next to the trail via regia running along the western coast of Jeziorak Lake (formerly known as Geserich-See) to Przezmark (formerly known as Preussisch Mark). 4) In the document of 20 January 1346 next to the northern border of the village of Urowo, near the bridge crossing between Jeziorak Lake and Duba Lake (Dauben-See), on the trail from Zalewo (Saalfeld) to Ostróda (formerly known as Osterode). It has been con; rmed that in the early modern period there was a tavern here – Kraggenkrug. The tree was referred to as “alde wartboum”, which may indicate that it no longer played its guard functions. 5) In the document of 29 May 1351 in the description of the border between the Osterode commandry and the Christburg commandry there appeared another Wartboum. It was situated near Wolbrost, which may be identified with the present village of Sąpy (Christburg Sumpf) – where there is a fork of the trail from Zalewo towards Ostróda and Iława. In the early modern period there was a tavern there. “Wartboums” mainly served as places where the control of communication trails took place. They were situated on the borders of administrative units of the Teutonic State. “Wartboums” were often fortified with wire entanglements (the Wartboum from 1280) or with longitudinal embankments (Wartboum recorded in 1324). Additionally, the trees could be used as stations for quick communication in case of danger.

Keywords

EN

Wartbaum; guard trees; fortfications; Pomesania; borderland

• Publisher: Towarzystwo Naukowe w Toruniu
• Journal: Zapiski Historyczne
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 76
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 7-22

Contributors

author

Seweryn Szczepański

• Instytut Historii i Stosunków Międzynarodowych, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski