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7. The Royal Edifice at Avaldsnes: A Palatium for the King or a Residence for his Canons?

By comparing the Norwegian king’s main residences and edifices, this chapter discusses the design and function of the excavated building complex at Avaldsnes. How does Avaldsnes fit into the royal building program at other royal edifices in the mid-13th to mid-14th century, especially the three other residences with a collegiate connected to the Norwegian Royal Chapel organisation established 1308? Is it possible to indicate whether the edifice at Avaldsnes was mainly a king’s palatium or a residence for his canons? In addition to the royal edifices, particularly of the royal residence at Holmen in Bergen, episcopal princely edifices are discussed, especially in western Norway. The analysis indicates that the edifice at Avaldsnes follows the system of the front or façade wing in Bergen with its functions, however at a smaller scale and with a keep instead of a gatehouse. The royal workshop in Bergen seems to have taken part in the building activity at Avaldsnes. At Avaldsnes a freestanding stone building seems originally to have been erected contemporaneously with St Óláfr church and to the south of the church’s chancel and with two possible functions; either as a chapter house for St Óláfr’s priesthood or a royal keep, the building later to be included in the total wing. Based on a comparison with the other discussed royal edifices a keep seems possible and, if so, indicates that this original stone building was intended for the king and probably residential, maybe in combination with wooden buildings. Based on the comparison to other royal edifices, it is to be expected that the completed wing at Avaldsnes would hold the same functions as in a traditional royal residence with a hall, living quarters, and chapel (St Óláfr’s), possibly with adjustments to accommodate the canons who most likely lived and worked there permanently, while the king resided there only for those periods when present at Avaldsnes.