To tårn tett i tett: Hamar bispedømmes regionale håndverkermiljø i middelalderen

Regional stonemason environments in Medieval Hamar dioceseThe Hamar bishopric established in 1152–1153 saw large building activity after 1200. Buildings put up in stone were atypical nationally, but the Hamar bishop was an active entrepreneur in the period 1250–1350. Based on stonework, material use and stylistic parameters the present article argues that these buildings were a result of a unified stonemason milieu controlled by the bishop. The argument is based on comparative analyses of building features of churches and other stone buildings connected to the ecclesiastical environment in general and an analysis of two selected tower buildings: the central tower of the bishop’s castle at Hamar and the Mjosa citadel erected by King Hakon Hakonsson. Despite the conflict between the king and bishop, it is suggested that both buildings, based on mason technique and design, were the work of the same masons.