annika björklund this method, I have identified more than 80 charters not previously listed as testaments. Although it is a challenge to provide an exact figure, there are about a thousand testaments in theSDHK– indeed a small number in relation to all 44 000 charters. More precisely, my examination shows that 984 chartersintheSDHKare testaments. In addition, 20 charters are internal testaments between spouses, mostly dated to the 15th century; they are not included in my survey. Furthermore, of the 984 testaments at least 85 may be labelled “German”, issued by German burghers in Germany, in Stockholm, or in Visby. A little more than half of these charters (46 testaments) are available in full text without the need to visit German archives. Many of those with German names lived in Swedish towns at this time. Such testaments are therefore included in the survey, since they in one way or another relate to Sweden or Swedish circumstances. Likewise, a number of testaments issued by Danish priests and bishops in Lund (which was Danish then) are included in the SDHK, as are a small number of Norwegian, Finnish, and Estonian testaments. Separating out these testaments based on modern day nationality seems anachronistic, and for the purpose of examining servants in testaments, these variations may even be advantageous, as they allow for comparisons. Over the entire time period (1200–1520s) 243 testaments, or circa 25% of all testaments, mention servants. As will be shown below, this figure varies substantially over time and between male and female testators. Free servants and unfree slaves are often mentioned in the same testament in the late 13th century and early 14th century, which shows that households included both free and unfree attendants or labourers at this time. In the 1200s and 1300s, written testaments in Sweden are generally quite extensive. The testator declares where she or he wants to be buried and what testamentary gifts in landed property or in money will be given to monasteries, cathedrals, prebends, parish churches, etc. Then bequests – 333 The testaments
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