Porpoise, punishment and partnership

The meaning of presenting and consuming a marine mammal in late medieval coastal Flanders

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12276453
AutoresKristiaan Dillen (0000-0002-8248-1615, Ghent University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2021
Volumen49
Número3
Páginas568-588
Fecha de publicación2021-04-06
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaUrban History (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0963-9268 • E-ISSN: 1469-8706
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0963926821000225
OpenAlexW3134772170
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas16

Late medieval sources reveal an annual handover of a marine mammal between the council of the small coastal city of Blankenberge and the aldermen of Bruges. The reason for the transfer is not disclosed by the sources, and there is no consensus among historians as to the interpretation of this behaviour. This article explores the role of the presentation and consumption of a porpoise in the relationship between Blankenberge and the nearby medieval metropolis of Bruges. I argue that a porpoise supported the crucial, mutually beneficial ties of solidarity between two communities favouring their position and opportunities in the competitive maritime landscape

Biology · Consumption (sociology · Epistemology · Fishery · General partnership · Geography · Harbour · Interpretation (philosophy · Marine mammal · Meaning (existential · Political science · Porpoise · Presentation (obstetrics · Punishment (psychology · Reciprocity (cultural anthropology · Social science · Sociology · Solidarity · Anthropology · Historical Economic and Social Studies · History · Law · Medieval Literature and History · Philosophy