Up in flames : the fire of St Peter’s Church in Sjundeå and how it affected society

Abstract

Various historical accounts, including those authored by Brenner and Favorin, identify 1526 as the year in which a catastrophic event befell St Peter’s Church in Sjundeå, then situated within the Kingdom of Sweden and presently located in Nyland in Finland. According to these sources, lightning struck the church, igniting its wooden roof and resulting in flames that ultimately consumed the church. This dissertation seeks to conduct a comprehensive examination of this fire and analyse its broader implications for local society. The chronological dating of the conflagration is also subjected to critical analysis. The research methodology employed encompasses the identification and analysis of relevant literature and archival materials pertaining to Sjundeå, St Peter’s Church, and mediaeval Finland. Furthermore, multiple site visits were undertaken to enhance understanding of the architectural structure and its geographical context. The study of the Finnish Middle Ages presents vast opportunities for scholarly research. The scarcity of surviving mediaeval architecture in Finland renders the systematic investigation of these structures’ histories particularly crucial. Such research provides invaluable insights into the broader mediaeval period, illuminating local customs, cultural practices, and the lived experiences of historical communities. Furthermore, a significant linguistic barrier impedes international scholarly engagement with this field. The predominance of Swedish and Finnish language publications means that substantial bodies of research concerning important Nordic mediaeval sites remain inaccessible to the broader international academic community. This linguistic limitation constrains cross-cultural scholarly dialogue and potentially limits the global understanding of mediaeval Nordic civilisation.