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Gutes

January 01, 1970

"Gutar" redirects here. For the instrument, see Guitar.
"Gotar" redirects here. For the North Germanic tribe called Götar in Swedish, see Geats.

The Gutes (Old West Norse: Gotar, Old Gutnish: Gutar) were a North Germanic tribe inhabiting the island of Gotland. The ethnonym is related to that of the Goths (Gutans), and both names were originally Proto-Germanic *Gutaniz. Their language is called Gutnish (gutniska).[1] They are one of the progenitor groups of modern Swedes, along with historical Swedes and Geats.

Sweden in the 12th century before the incorporation of Finland during the 13th century.
  Swedes
  Geats
  Gutes

Name edit

Further information: Name of the Goths

The name of the Gutes in Old West Norse is Gotar (adj. gotneskr),[2] which is the same as that used for the Goths. Old Norse sources such as the sagas do not distinguish between the Goths and the Gutes.[3][4][5][6][7] In accordance, the Old East Norse term for both Goths and Gutes seems to have been Gutar (adj. gutniskr).[8] Only the Goths and Gutes bear this name among all the Germanic tribes, even if Geat is closely related.

The fact that the ethnonym is identical to Goth may be the reason why they are not mentioned as a special group until Jordanes' Getica, where they may be those who are called Vagoth (see Scandza). However, Ptolemy mentions the Goutai as living in the south of the island of Scandza; these could be identical to the Gutes, since the "ou"-spelling in Ancient Greek corresponds to the Latin and Germanic "u".

History edit

The oldest history of the Gutes is retold in the Gutasaga. According to legend they descended from a man named Þjelvar who was the first to discover Gotland. Þjelvar had a son named Hafþi who wedded a fair maiden named Hvitastjerna. These two were the first to settle on Gotland. Hafþi and Hvitastjerna later had three children, Guti, Graipr and Gunfjaun. After the death of their parents, the brothers divided Gotland into three parts and each took one, but Guti remained the highest chieftain and gave his name to the land and its people.[9]

 
  Traditional Götaland
  The island of Gotland
  Wielbark culture, in the early 3rd century
  Chernyakhov culture, in the early 4th century
  Roman Empire at its greatest extent, 117 AD

It is related that because of overpopulation one third of the Gutes had to emigrate and settle in southern Europe:

Over a long time, the people descended from these three multiplied so much that the land couldn't support them all. Then they draw lots, and every third person was picked to leave, and they could keep everything they owned and take it with them, except for their land. ... they went up the river Dvina, up through Russia. They went so far that they came to the land of the Greeks. ... they settled there, and live there still, and still have something of our language.[10]

Some scholars, as for instance Wessén, Wenskus, Hoffman etc., have argued that this tale might be a reminiscence of the migration of the Goths.[citation needed]

Certain linguists, as for instance Elias Wessén, point out that there are similarities between Gothic and Gutnish that are not found elsewhere in the Germanic languages. One example is the use of the word lamb for both young and adult sheep, which is only seen in Gutnish and Gothic.[11]

 
The Stora Hammars I stone

Before the 7th century, the Gutes made a trade and defence agreement with Swedish kings, according to the Gutasaga. This seems to have been due to Swedish military aggression. Although the Gutes were victorious in these battles, they eventually found it more beneficial (as a nation of traders) to try to negotiate a peace treaty with the Swedes.

Many kings made war on Gotland while it was heathen, but the Gutes always maintained victory and their rights. Then the Gutes were sending many messengers to Sweden, but none of them succeeded in negotiating a peace, till Awair Strabain from Alva parish. He was the first to make peace with the king of the Swedes.[...] As he was a smooth-tongued man, wise indeed and artful, as the stories of him go, he established a fixed treaty with the Swedish king: 60 marks of silver a year – that is the tax for the Gutes – with 40 for the king, out of that sixty, and the jarls to get 20. This amount had already been decided by agreement of the whole land before he left.[12]

So the Gutes made a trade and defence agreement with the king of the Swedes of their own free will, that they might go anywhere in all areas dominated by the Swedes freely and unfettered by tolls or any duties. So too the Swedes could come to Gotland with no ban on the import of corn, or any other restrictions. The king was to give aid and help whenever they needed it and asked. The king would send messengers to the Gotland national assembly, and the jarls likewise, to collect their tax. These messengers must proclaim freedom to the Gutes to travel in peace over the sea, to all places where the Swedish king held sway. And the same went for anyone travelling there to Gotland.[12]

It gives Awair Strabain as the man who arranged the mutually beneficial agreement with the king of Sweden and the event would have taken place before the end of the ninth century, when Wulfstan of Hedeby reported that the island was subject to the Swedes.

Because of Gotland's central position in the Baltic Sea, from early on the Gutes became a nation of traders and merchants. The amount of silver treasure that has been found in Gotlandic soil during the Viking Age surpasses that of all the other Swedish provinces counted together, which tells of a traders' nation of indisputable rank among the North Germanic tribes.[13] The Gutes were the leading tradesmen in the Baltic sea until the rise of the Hanseatic League.[13]

The Gutes were both yeomen farmers and traveling merchants at the same time: so-called farmenn. This was an exceptionally dangerous occupation during the Middle Ages, since the Baltic Sea was full of pirates. The Gutnish farmenn always had to be ready for battle. The division and organisation of the early Gutnish society shows a nation constantly ready for war. The "ram" seems to have been an early symbol for the Gutes, and is still seen on the Gotlandic coat of arms.

Gallery edit

  •  
    Axe of iron from Swedish Iron Age, found at Gotland
  •  
    Clay pot from Swedish Iron Age, found on Gotland
  •  
    Trojeborg, a stone labyrinth from Visby on Gotland

Sources edit

The history of Gotland can be read in the book Gutasaga. The Gutasaga is a saga treating the history of Gotland prior to Christianity. It was recorded in the 13th century and survives in only a single manuscript, the Codex Holm B. 64, dating to ca. 1350. It is kept in the National Library of Sweden in Stockholm together with the Gutalagen, the legal code of Gotland. It was written in the Old Gutnish dialect of Old Norse.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Snöbohm, Alfred Theodor Gotlands land och folk (1871)". 16 October 1871. from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  2. ^ Zoëga, Geir T. (1910). A concise dictionary of old Icelandic. New York Public Library. Oxford : Clarendon Press.
  3. ^ þáttr af Ragnars sonum, fornladarsaga
  4. ^ Sögubrot af nokkurum fornkonungum í Dana- ok Svíaveldi, fornaldarsaga
  5. ^ Oláfs saga helga, konungasaga
  6. ^ Edda, Snorri Sturlusson, Skaldskáparmál
  7. ^ Edda Sæmundar, Grimnismál
  8. ^ Vikingarnas Språk, Rune Palm p 30
  9. ^ Guta Lagh med Gutasagan, Tore Gannholm, p 98-99
  10. ^ Guta Lagh med Gutasagan, Tore Gannholm, s 98–99
  11. ^ Fornvännen 1969, Elias Wessén
  12. ^ a b Guta lagh med Gutasagan, Tore Gannholm, p 100-101
  13. ^ a b Gannholm, Tore (1994). Gotland: Östersjöns pärla, centrum för handel och kultur i Östersjöområdet under 2000 år. Ganneburs. ISBN 978-91-972306-5-0. p 9

External links edit

  • Gutasaga
  • Gotlanders
  • The Gotlanders – The people of Gotland Island

Other sources edit

  • Ferguson, Robert The Vikings: a history (New York City: Penguin Group. 2009)
  • Nerman, Birger Det svenska rikets uppkomst (Stockholm: 1925)

January 01, 1970
gutes, gutar, redirects, here, instrument, guitar, gotar, redirects, here, north, germanic, tribe, called, götar, swedish, geats, west, norse, gotar, gutnish, gutar, were, north, germanic, tribe, inhabiting, island, gotland, ethnonym, related, that, goths, gut. Gutar redirects here For the instrument see Guitar Gotar redirects here For the North Germanic tribe called Gotar in Swedish see Geats The Gutes Old West Norse Gotar Old Gutnish Gutar were a North Germanic tribe inhabiting the island of Gotland The ethnonym is related to that of the Goths Gutans and both names were originally Proto Germanic Gutaniz Their language is called Gutnish gutniska 1 They are one of the progenitor groups of modern Swedes along with historical Swedes and Geats Sweden in the 12th century before the incorporation of Finland during the 13th century Swedes Geats Gutes Contents 1 Name 2 History 3 Gallery 4 Sources 5 See also 6 References 7 External links 8 Other sourcesName editFurther information Name of the Goths The name of the Gutes in Old West Norse is Gotar adj gotneskr 2 which is the same as that used for the Goths Old Norse sources such as the sagas do not distinguish between the Goths and the Gutes 3 4 5 6 7 In accordance the Old East Norse term for both Goths and Gutes seems to have been Gutar adj gutniskr 8 Only the Goths and Gutes bear this name among all the Germanic tribes even if Geat is closely related The fact that the ethnonym is identical to Goth may be the reason why they are not mentioned as a special group until Jordanes Getica where they may be those who are called Vagoth see Scandza However Ptolemy mentions the Goutai as living in the south of the island of Scandza these could be identical to the Gutes since the ou spelling in Ancient Greek corresponds to the Latin and Germanic u History editThe oldest history of the Gutes is retold in the Gutasaga According to legend they descended from a man named THjelvar who was the first to discover Gotland THjelvar had a son named Hafthi who wedded a fair maiden named Hvitastjerna These two were the first to settle on Gotland Hafthi and Hvitastjerna later had three children Guti Graipr and Gunfjaun After the death of their parents the brothers divided Gotland into three parts and each took one but Guti remained the highest chieftain and gave his name to the land and its people 9 nbsp Traditional Gotaland The island of Gotland Wielbark culture in the early 3rd century Chernyakhov culture in the early 4th century Roman Empire at its greatest extent 117 AD It is related that because of overpopulation one third of the Gutes had to emigrate and settle in southern Europe Over a long time the people descended from these three multiplied so much that the land couldn t support them all Then they draw lots and every third person was picked to leave and they could keep everything they owned and take it with them except for their land they went up the river Dvina up through Russia They went so far that they came to the land of the Greeks they settled there and live there still and still have something of our language 10 Some scholars as for instance Wessen Wenskus Hoffman etc have argued that this tale might be a reminiscence of the migration of the Goths citation needed Certain linguists as for instance Elias Wessen point out that there are similarities between Gothic and Gutnish that are not found elsewhere in the Germanic languages One example is the use of the word lamb for both young and adult sheep which is only seen in Gutnish and Gothic 11 nbsp The Stora Hammars I stone Before the 7th century the Gutes made a trade and defence agreement with Swedish kings according to the Gutasaga This seems to have been due to Swedish military aggression Although the Gutes were victorious in these battles they eventually found it more beneficial as a nation of traders to try to negotiate a peace treaty with the Swedes Many kings made war on Gotland while it was heathen but the Gutes always maintained victory and their rights Then the Gutes were sending many messengers to Sweden but none of them succeeded in negotiating a peace till Awair Strabain from Alva parish He was the first to make peace with the king of the Swedes As he was a smooth tongued man wise indeed and artful as the stories of him go he established a fixed treaty with the Swedish king 60 marks of silver a year that is the tax for the Gutes with 40 for the king out of that sixty and the jarls to get 20 This amount had already been decided by agreement of the whole land before he left 12 So the Gutes made a trade and defence agreement with the king of the Swedes of their own free will that they might go anywhere in all areas dominated by the Swedes freely and unfettered by tolls or any duties So too the Swedes could come to Gotland with no ban on the import of corn or any other restrictions The king was to give aid and help whenever they needed it and asked The king would send messengers to the Gotland national assembly and the jarls likewise to collect their tax These messengers must proclaim freedom to the Gutes to travel in peace over the sea to all places where the Swedish king held sway And the same went for anyone travelling there to Gotland 12 It gives Awair Strabain as the man who arranged the mutually beneficial agreement with the king of Sweden and the event would have taken place before the end of the ninth century when Wulfstan of Hedeby reported that the island was subject to the Swedes Because of Gotland s central position in the Baltic Sea from early on the Gutes became a nation of traders and merchants The amount of silver treasure that has been found in Gotlandic soil during the Viking Age surpasses that of all the other Swedish provinces counted together which tells of a traders nation of indisputable rank among the North Germanic tribes 13 The Gutes were the leading tradesmen in the Baltic sea until the rise of the Hanseatic League 13 The Gutes were both yeomen farmers and traveling merchants at the same time so called farmenn This was an exceptionally dangerous occupation during the Middle Ages since the Baltic Sea was full of pirates The Gutnish farmenn always had to be ready for battle The division and organisation of the early Gutnish society shows a nation constantly ready for war The ram seems to have been an early symbol for the Gutes and is still seen on the Gotlandic coat of arms Gallery edit nbsp Axe of iron from Swedish Iron Age found at Gotland nbsp Clay pot from Swedish Iron Age found on Gotland nbsp Trojeborg a stone labyrinth from Visby on GotlandSources editThe history of Gotland can be read in the book Gutasaga The Gutasaga is a saga treating the history of Gotland prior to Christianity It was recorded in the 13th century and survives in only a single manuscript the Codex Holm B 64 dating to ca 1350 It is kept in the National Library of Sweden in Stockholm together with the Gutalagen the legal code of Gotland It was written in the Old Gutnish dialect of Old Norse See also editOld Gutnish Gothic alphabet Swedes tribe Danes tribe Proto Norse language Viking Norsemen Scandinavian prehistory Scandinavia Swedish language Sweden proper Sweden Swedes Danes Danish language Denmark Norwegians Norwegian language Norway Germanic peoplesReferences edit Snobohm Alfred Theodor Gotlands land och folk 1871 16 October 1871 Archived from the original on 4 November 2016 Retrieved 30 May 2010 Zoega Geir T 1910 A concise dictionary of old Icelandic New York Public Library Oxford Clarendon Press thattr af Ragnars sonum fornladarsaga Sogubrot af nokkurum fornkonungum i Dana ok Sviaveldi fornaldarsaga Olafs saga helga konungasaga Edda Snorri Sturlusson Skaldskaparmal Edda Saemundar Grimnismal Vikingarnas Sprak Rune Palm p 30 Guta Lagh med Gutasagan Tore Gannholm p 98 99 Guta Lagh med Gutasagan Tore Gannholm s 98 99 Fornvannen 1969 Elias Wessen a b Guta lagh med Gutasagan Tore Gannholm p 100 101 a b Gannholm Tore 1994 Gotland Ostersjons parla centrum for handel och kultur i Ostersjoomradet under 2000 ar Ganneburs ISBN 978 91 972306 5 0 p 9External links editGutasaga Gotlanders The Gotlanders The people of Gotland Island History of Gotland and the GotlandersOther sources editFerguson Robert The Vikings a history New York City Penguin Group 2009 Nerman Birger Det svenska rikets uppkomst Stockholm 1925 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gutes amp oldid 1191852427, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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