Station: [09] Influence of Francia

Alliances with Charlemagne against the Saxons led many Slavic princes and grand princes to the palaces of the German Emperor. It was on account of such contacts that the Slavic princely residence was converted based on the Franconian model.

The Slavic princes also took over many features of Franconian court culture.

In cabinet Number 24 you can see imported costly hollow glasses with intricate threading, a Tatinger can with tin foil decoration and beautifully decorated credenza bowls.

However, a remarkable feature of the history of Starigard is how it developed the Franconian models. For example, they produced Oldenburg fine ceramics in their own workshops which soon became a valuable export item.

Life in the princedom was very sociable. It was usual for the prince to praise himself and his heroic feats in the form of songs, and for him to accompany himself on the lyre.

Board games such as nine men’s morris, fox and geese, backgammon and Hnefatafl were already known at that time. The figures were perforated on the bottom and could be inserted onto the board with little wooden sticks. This meant that players were able to play even in a ship.

In cabinet Number 23 you can see other precious status symbols which found their way to Starigard. These include belt-ware with bronze or special steel fittings and jewelry, such as for example the Ottonian saucer brooch. The Slavic goldsmiths soon also made fine jewelry themselves, as we can see from the large amount of crucible remains and casting mould fragments.