FROM SAXO GRAMMATICUS TO PETER FRIEDRICH SUHM. Danish views on medieval Estonian history

A line of early Danish historians, who wrote on Medieval Estonia in relation to Denmark, is presented. Each author’s social background and the date of their contribution stand out through their sympathies and antipathies. Likewise, every author also had a Danish bias. German views were challenged, whereas Estonian views never mattered to these Danish authors. To them, the Estonians only played the part of silent extras on the historical stage; first as barbarous enemies, then as faithful subjects or allies and finally as victims. The most attractive theme to the Danish historians is the dramatic conquest in 1219, and its royal or clerical front figures, and the legends of a divine origin of Dannebrog – the national flag. The latter has been the single most popular subject, taking precedence over everything else.The history of Danish-Estonian active political and diplomatic relations until 1346, let alone until 1645, has been a mere niche in Danish history writing. It is possible to follow the different roles of the Danish historians in a changing political and ideological context and to view their position towards topical subjects such as justification of conquest, the means of Christianisation, colonialism and the genesis of medieval polities or states. Historiographic studies such as the present enable to understand the long and winding road towards establishing a concord on the simple course of events and critically question the written evidence, let alone the aristocratic and clerical traditions. Resümee. Eesti-Taani keskaegsete suhete siiani domineeriv narratiiv toetub suures osas baltisaksa ajalookirjutusele. See on paratamatult vaade ajaloole läbi kohalike sakslaste silmade. Samas on probleemistikul ka Taani-poolne vaatenurk, mille hinnangulised aktsendid erinevad baltlaste omadest oluliselt. Nüüdisaegse ajaloo­teadusliku sünteesi tasandil pole need kaks historiograafiat kokku saanud. Artiklis on analüüsitud taani ajalookirjutuse probleemiasetusi alates Saxo Grammaticusest kuni Peter Friedrich Suhmi 1808. aastal postuumselt ilmunud Taani ajaloo üld­käsitluseni. Seda perioodi taani historiograafias võib tinglikult nimetada annalistlikuks või siis kriitilise ajalooteaduse eelseks ajajärguks. Kuid samas on selle väär­tuseks just nimelt ehedus ja kitsalt Taani-keskne vaatenurk. Mitmete Eesti kesk­aja ajaloo justkui ammuilma selgeks räägitud probleemide puhul on ilmselt vajalik taanlaste arvamusega tõsiselt arvestada või vähemalt kontrollida nende paikapida­vust, kõrvutades seisukohti meil käibel oleva historiograafilise pärandiga.