Model of the Formal and Functional Evolution of a Private Feudal Residence in Late Medieval Poland

This article analyses the evolution of private feudal seats in late medieval Poland on the example of the Pałuka family from northeastern Greater Poland. The authors present the history of research on the feudal residences and underscore the significance of an interdisciplinary approach that combines archaeology and an analysis of written sources. This paper discusses the spatial and functional development of the castle in Gołańcz and the residences in Danabórz and Łekno, noting the variability of the forms and uses of these structures. The present investigation has revealed the existence of four alternative variants of the residences’ evolution: from a simple house connected with manor (mainly farm) outbuildings in manor complexes (1), a residential-farm manor with a defensive fortalicium (2), a residential and defensive fortalicium with a manorial farmstead (3), and a castle (4). We highlight the role of the regalian right to fortification in the formation of knightly manorial complexes. Our study points to the necessity of further interdisciplinary research and a wider identification of field and written sources. We consider the evolution model proposed here as credible for the Pałuki microregion, but open for comparison to other areas of Poland.