The Chieftain´s Stronghold at Erritsø

As you zoom along the E20 motorway towards Fyn, about 35km southeast of Jelling, you’ll see Energinet.dk’s HQ to your right just before the Little Belt Bridge. A Viking chief once lived on the headland, just off the Little Belt, in a fortified dwelling built at the highest point in the countryside, with stunning views of the Little Belt’s twisting channels. Prime Viking real estate, and also a big strategic advantage if the enemy approach is from the sea. The main building was protected by a moat of 110m on all four sides. It was V-shaped, 1-3m wide and 1-2m deep. 2m beyond the moat was a palisade. The main hall was strongly built and probably from the beginning of the Viking period. It was 13m wide and after a conversion 39m long. There was no stable in this building, the roof was covered with roofing shingle, and the floor was sprinkled with sand. At right angles to the main building there was a smaller structure that was fenced off – this is the case elsewhere; for ex. at Tissø and is often interpreted as being for cultic worship. Immediately outside the moat were four wells and three other buildings; probably barns, workshops and stables. At some point, the place lost its significance; the moat was filled up and levelled and the palisade’s uprights were removed. Whether a large hoard found in 1884, 700m northeast of Erritsø has a link with the end of the chieftain’s stronghold, is not known but, at the very least, some wealthy person found it necessary, around 900 to bury the largest hoard of Russian silver rings ever found here – they come from Perm in southern Russia, and are known for their very precise weight, which suggests they were used for payments and not jewellery. This silver treasure is on display at the National Museum.