Stora Hellvigs – razed by the victors?

Stora Hellvigs was one of the farms that was likely burned and pillaged by the Danish. During an excavation in the late 1930s, archaeologists found everyday items such as jewellery, buttons and clasps, as well as weapons. They also found objects that indicate the farm was wealthy. Among them was half of a seal.

The seal is of the type was used by six “district judges” on the island. The districts were regional and military divisions and were led by appointed judges. One theory is that one of them lived at Stora Hellvigs.

The fact that the seal is broken indicates that the judge had died. Perhaps he died in one of the battles with the Danes, perhaps not. It was customary for the seal to be destroyed when the district judge could no longer carry out his duties.