Borgholms slott-Försvarsverk och maktdemonstration

Sammanfattning: Borgholms castle on Öland is a medieval fortification built on the eastern border of today's Sweden. But when it was built around 800 years ago the borders, power structure and ownership over the Baltic sea were split between several powers. During the 12th and 13th century the Baltic sea contained many wars, pirates and crusades, and in the midst of it Borgholm castle was built. Thus the question remains, why was this castle built? Who built it, and why? And in a time and place where power was debated and unorderly, what did this castle mean for the powers of the Baltic sea? To answer these questions I have compared several different theories from historians and archaeologists who have pondered this before. Then I have compared these answers further towards historical sources, archeological reports and the historical context that surrounded Öland during this time. In this paper I come to the conclusion that the origin of the castle was local. The people of Öland was not controlled by any power but surely influenced by several, and the fortification was built to protect the locals and their trade from the threats of the Baltic sea. The castle then became Swedish, as a frontier, trade fort and a symbolic show of ownership of this part of future Sweden. Borholms castle started as simply meaning protection for the locals, and for all the other peoples around the Baltic sea it came to symbolize both local agency as well as an equal protection of trade.