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Meet the Middle Ages

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Vinäs

Vinäs was the headquarters of Bo Jonsson Grip in Tjust. This fortified manor house was built by a nobleman at the beginning or middle of the 14th century. Originally, it might have been built on the little island in Storsjön. In the 1360 ´s, Bo Jonsson took possession of it. From this manor, he ruled all his land in Tjust. The peasants brought their taxes here. It is said that Bo Jonsson stayed at Vinäs quite often. One might imagine what banquets he might have had, when royalty and noblemen came to visit.

After Bo Jonssons death in 1386, his son Knut Bosson inherited the manor. He had a new dwelling-house built of stone, the foundations of which are still to be seen. This new building was probably completed in 1405. The large stone building measures 32 by 16 meters and it probably had three storeys. On the island there were also simpler wooden houses for the servants and the craftsmen.

During the 14th century, the gentry became more influential and many noblemen chose to fortify their manors. One of these fortresses can be found at Husholmen in the parish of Lofta.