Kinnekulle, Husaby Kyrka in Stone. Rune Stones. Memorial slabs. Pre-Christian Lily Stone,

Husaby:  Baptism of a King 1008

Kyrka Photograph 1928

Husaby in the 21st Century

Dignitaries in stone

Husaby then and now:  Compare two photographs of Husaby Kyrka,  in 1928, from relatives' return visitl and in 2010.

Husaby Kyrka in 1928

 And Husaby Kyrka now. 

Husaby Kyrka 2010

The main change from then to now is the ivy climbing up the side tower' and the side tree that grew big.


1.  The setting:  Kinnekulle.

The Kinnekulle area is worth an in-depth trip to Sweden in itself.

Find the detailed brochure here at http://www.gotene.se/download/18.2edd891311d671f43228000282764/080522_welcome_to_gotene_and_kinnekulle_webb_gotene.pdf.  History, Husaby Kyrka, botanicals. Also see descriptions of many, many churches; and a fine photo of Husaby Kalle, the spring where King Olof is said to have been baptized, just outside the church here.

There is a ruin of the Bishop's palace also at Husaby, undergoing restoration. It dated from 1480. Find videos at http://wn.com/Olof_Skotkonung and click to more. There is a walkabout video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dj0uiiulTg&feature=player_embedded  Those films say that the church was built in the 11th century.


2.  Husaby Kyrka in stone:

Story stones.  Picture stones.  This is a fine example of a prechristian lily stone, named for its vine-tree pattern, see description of the Tree of Life at  http://www.luckyfishart.com/vitrofli.html  A Lily Stone is a later name, stemming (ahem) from the later fleur-de-lys, repeated.

For Viking and other prechristian patterns, helpful in looking at old stones, shields, scroll past the introduction at this site, http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/vikheraldry.shtml, and see the chart of recurrent themes. There is the "fylfot" - a pattern like a swastika no longer allowed in heraldry because of that similarity. Later heraldry is at the end.

The heart shape also recurs, in Scandinavian designs in particular.  Its origins were serious - Yggdrasil, we understand.  The Tree of the Lives, the Tree of Life; and not just the shape of the heart as in body and love -- 

Tree of Life, "Lily Stone" pattern, prechristian, Husaby Kyrka, Kinnekulle, Sweden


Husaby Kyrka is an active parish.

Husaby Kyrka: an active parish, Kinnekulle SE

With so many churches in one area (St. Sigfrid, for example, is said to have converted 12 major local figures and started as many churches in the 11th Century, plus the King and all the King's men0.  Snap the church sign to stay afloat.

Floor level burial slabs.  Many have little heads in the corners.  Early angels?

Burial slabs, Husaby Kyrka interior, Kinnekulle SE

Jesus and, we think, the two Marys. There is an emphasis on the female followers-disciples-connections that was early eradicated in lower Europe.  And, in later years, these were also shunted aside in favor of depicting male saints. See the Old Uppsala post, where the pulpit is surrounded with female saint carvings.  Go to the New Uppsala and they are male, mostly.  Notably so if you go from one church to the later one.

Jesus and the Two Marys, we think, Husaby Kyrka, Kinnekulle, Sweden

Dancing with the Stars! Those early representations of the Marys and Jesus are active, seem to move in front of your eyes.  Feel the point counterpoint, almost with fingers snapping, a saintly boogie. Can't wait to have you join in.  A real invitation to participate. Wonderful

Then look what happens when the institutional church entrenches, Reformation and all.  No more life. Stylistic, conformist, rigid, patterns, no fun. Zero imagination. Men.  Hunnh.

These are early pastors of the church, or perhaps a pastor and a patron?

Husaby Kyrka, stone relief slab

There is a Chalice at the top, but neither figure carries a Bishop's crook. Down the side of the stone slab are pictured a number of gentlemen in fine capes.  Small in size, like a pattern. The figure on the left is more stylish: he holds a book and wears pantaloons and toed-out boots; and beside him, the praying figure wears a long robe.

Husaby Kyrka, 17th C. clothing detail, stone relief, Kinnekulle SE

Even the feet look painful.  

At first we thought these might be part of Saint Sigfrid's Swedish Dozen, see http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=4632&grupo=Daily%20Saints&canal=Uncle%20Eddie%92s,  

The Swedish Dozen were twelve substantial citizens converted by Saint Sigfrid in the 1100'sm as well as the King Olof Skotkonnung and His Men.  But the costumes here are later.

Pastor(s) designation, Husaby Kyrka, stone relief 1638, Kinnekulle Sweden

Peer closer, and find the word "pastor" and :Huusby" and date 1683.  Two pastors?

The frescoes had been painted over, and then restored in the 20th Century.  Were they covered because the colors were too vibrant, the figures showed life?  The Reformation was in Sweden as well. Bring on the austerity.

At least the stone mason had a sense of individuality  Each of the small figures on the side border is different.

Stone piety, border, Husaby Kyrka, Kinnekulle, Sweden

Frescoes, Husaby Kyrka, Kinnekulle, SE

 The interior is not bright, so colors retain their vibrancy.  Note the pattern on the arches, like tree branches.  This is a common theme from the Tree of Life, a way of connecting the prechristian beliefs in the tree of life, Tree of the Lives, with later Christian theology brought in.

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FN 1  Photograph from Anna Osterlund Widing and Philip Widing's return in 1928. 

Kinnekulle resident, Anna Matilda Osterlund, parishioner, Husaby, we think (need documentation)

Anna Osterlund "Home" - Kinnekulle (Hallekis?_

Anna Osterlund at home in Kinnekulle (Hallekis village??), we think

Label your pictures, people. Here, fair use thumbnail shows Hallekis on the Lake, and the Kinnekulle area with its warren of roads, towns, trails. See it at http://www.hallekis.com/arkiv1/kk-karta.htm