Thread by @MikeStuchbery_

I love it when I find something that excites me - you know, old stuff. It’s not every day, however, when I come across something that has me racing to find out more, to take a dive into folklore & the past. Let me introduce you to ‘Roland’ - or, more accurately, ‘Rolands’. 1/

‘Roland’ stands in the marketplace of Halle, a city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt (where that Nebra Sky Disk I’m obsessed is kept). This Roland dates from the 19th century, replacing a number of copies over time - it’s thought the first appeared in the 1200s. /2

‘Roland’ is a potent figure in German legend. He’s based on a real figure, a knight called ‘Hruotland’ who was involved in driving the Moors back into Spain and died heroically in 778, fighting against some angry Basques (Turns out they've always been angry). /3

As the 12th century dawned, and the First Crusade to retake the Holy Land was launched, the story of Roland’s death was adopted into a poem, which became the equivalent of a chart-topper - it helped inspire thousands to take up arms and head for the Holy Land. /4

Somewhere along the line, the figure of Roland was not only used to drum up support for the Crusades, but became a potent symbol of the growing cities who demanded rights from the lords and bishops who ruled the lands around them. /5

All across central Europe, it seems, ‘Roland’ statues were erected to indicate - or demand - independence and freedom from the heavy taxes and trade restrictions that were a burden on so many. They were a visual metaphor for the growing idea of urban independence. /6

The oldest existing ‘Roland’ is in Halberstadt, also in Saxony-Anhalt. He stands at the Rathaus, or town hall. He holds a sword aloft in one hand, while the other features the double-headed eagle - the arms of the Holy Roman Empire, who constituted was we know as Germany. /7

Another very old ‘Roland’ can be found in Quedlinburg, again in Saxony-Anhalt. This ‘Roland’ spent hundreds of years in pieces, after a local noble demanded it be destroyed. It was only in the 19th century, with the drive towards German nationhood, it was put back together. /8

A rather curious ‘Roland’ can be found in Neustadt, in Thuringia. Interestingly, this 18th century ‘revision’ of earlier statues is both painted and does not hold a sword. Rather, he holds his hand up as if swearing an oath - perhaps a sign of more peaceful times? /9

One of the big cities that most definitely fought for its rights was Bremen. Bremen’s ‘Roland’ is big - over 10 metres tall - and was first erected in the very early 15th century. It’s thought that lengths on the statue corresponded to the standard length of sold goods. /10

My favourite ‘Roland’ stands in Magdeburg, once more in Saxony-Anhalt (Seriously, it’s where many are concentrated). A modern reimagining of the figure to replace a series of earlier statues, it features a tiny statue of 'Till Eulenspiegel' at the back. /11

I find this quite touching, as 1. Magdeburg has had a rough time, being destroyed in the Thirty Year’s War, and 2. Till is a tickster figure representing the sillier aspects of life - along with lots of poo-throwing! It’s nice to have a little levity in such a place. /12

So, obviously these ‘Rolands’ are signs of urban independence and freedom from obligations It's obvious they use a Christian hero to represent that. I wonder, however, whether there isn’t a much deeper echo of the past in their appearance and function? /13

Many of you know, I’m mildly obsessed with Germany’s Bronze and Iron Age heritage. In my adventures, I’ve come across a number of statues made by the peoples who lived across what is now Germany. They seem somehow familiar… /14

I’m most familiar with the archaeology of Southern Germany, and if there’s one thing I know, is that there is a strong tradition of sculptures, representing powerful warrior or priestly figures, that were placed in settlements and holy sites. /15

The most famous of this statues comes from Glauberg, in the state of Hesse. It dates from 500 BCE - from the La Tène culture - and depicts a figure wearing a torc and garland. Evidently, it symbolises some powerful figure in the region, whether spiritual, secular or both. /16

A similar statue was found at Hirschlanden, in Baden-Wurttemberg. This statue, dating from around 600 BCE and belonging to the Hallstatt culture, is a more aggressive in aspect, holding a sword, along with torc and a distinctive headdress. /17

Finally, another statue found at Holzgerlingen features another authority figure, two-faced, like Janus, and wearing a garland. It dates from around 400 BCE. Much less finished by the others, it still has a ‘peg’ used to place it in the earth. /18

What I’m thinking - I could be wrong - is that perhaps these ‘Roland’ statues, in a way, are a ‘future echo’ of the statues that used to grace many Iron Age settlements? While the statues I identified were mostly in southern Germany, surely similar were made further north? /19

When looking to symbolise independence and freedom, what better symbol for cities than embodied all the greatest strengths and virtues - just like the Iron Age heroes of myth and adulation? /20

I look to actual archaeologists to tell me whether that influence on the ‘Rolands’ is a possibility, or I’m thinking wishfully, but it’s a thought that excites me, and again, that’s what history and archaeology is all about. /20

As for the Halle ‘Roland’, there’s a funny little story to do with that. Seems that at one time, the people of the city got a little too uppity, so the figure was caged for thirty years. Want to quash a rebellion? Attack their symbols… /22

I hope you enjoyed that. It gives me great pleasure to write about history and archaeology, especially in Germany, and I get quite a kick out of the fact that many of you seem to be enjoying it too. Look for more history threads on stuff like the ‘Rolands’ in weeks to come! /FIN