Nørre Vosborg in time and perspective

Quote from the project description:
The research project is an inter-disciplinary, scientific study of the Nørre Vosborg manor and its surroundings from the time of the Vikings to the present.

The project aims to study Nørre Vosborg manor in local, regional and national contexts in order to create the necessary framework for understanding the centuries-long history of the manor. At the same time, the project is to make it possible to differentiate particular characteristics from generalities in the history of Nørre Vosborg.

The project will result in a “knowledge bank” on Nørre Vosborg and related subjects, which will be available to users during its development and upon completion.

The project is organised under the aegis of Ringkøbing Museum, Aarhus University (particularly the Departments of Geology, History and Medieval Archaeology), as well as Holstebro Museum and the Danish Manor House Research Centre. A number of researchers from other institutions are also involved, and the plan is for researchers writing theses to participate in the project.

Background

The present and previous buildings are the result of at least 800 years of developments. However, these developments were themselves the result of the economic, social, political and cultural circumstances that made it possible to establish and maintain for centuries a large and significant manor at this location.

It seems evident that there were both geographic and geological reasons for having located one of West Jutland’s most important economic centres at this site.

This cannot be established by one academic discipline alone. Accounting for these circumstances requires natural science competencies, just as studying the location where Nørre Vosborg previously lay requires archaeological competencies.

Knowledge of various historical periods is obviously another precondition, though competencies in ethnology and architectural history are also necessary to create a picture that is as complete as possible.

All of these competencies are represented by experts in the large group of researchers brought together in this project. It would seem obvious that this unique group of competencies should be used to create what might be termed a “model project”.

The research project aims to research Nørre Vosborg so thoroughly that this research can become a model for others in Denmark who wish to study the special cultural heritage that the significant number of manors represents for the nation. Although it may not be possible to organise such a wide spectrum of researchers again, the models can also be used on a smaller scale.