Czech “fortified manors”: a critical analysis of the current state-of-the-art

A brief glance at the Křivoklát region shows that each manorial residence, more specifically its typological group, exhibits a different conception of both public and private space, variant representation of residential and utility buildings as well as a divergent approach to location and construction. A new set of means need to be found in order to interpret and substantiate these diversities. Perhaps a frequently used general term ”fortified residences” or “fortified manors” has led us to a conclusion that there are no others among them or are not worth our attention. In addition to that, boundaries are easy to be blurred in the continuum of forms; searching for a difference between simple enclosure and fortification is an uneasy task itself. Noble residences form an enormous group of features reflecting practical, symbolic and social needs. The first step is to define a theoretical model containing all the hypothetical features of interest on which further classification is to be deductively developed according to specific assumptions. Therefore, a definition may be based on from proportional representation of residential, economical, storing and fortification features of a manor as well as on certain easier approaches relying on observing relations between an overall extend of site, dimensions of usable area (without fortifications) and build-in area. A classification role may be also assumed by overall size of buildings, their number and construction type where appropriate. Undoubtedly, observing the visibility of settlements in a landscape and involving them in the communication network as well as other factors can be beneficial. However, the hypotheses need to be further refined and, especially, tested. There is a necessity to go back to data and pursue real comparative study for which the current database and geographic information systems provide extraordinary powerful sets of tools. Only similarly based and statistically significant results can be purposefully compared to written sources and their terminology - even at the level of classification of residences according to past society which is very important for the understanding of residences’ actual perception at the time of their existence. Moreover, study of property law may serve as an important corrective, with great influence to the origin, development and downfall of manorial residences in a landscape as well as to their form