Draft:Dacia (Scandinavia)

Dacia is a term used in medieval and early modern Latin to refer to the Kingdom of Denmark. Over time, it became the standard designation for Denmark, particularly within ecclesiastical and academic circles. In some Catholic orders, such as the Dominicans, Franciscans, and Hospitallers, Dacia was also used to refer to their provinces in Scandinavia and the southern Baltic.

Since the mid-12th century, Dacia increasingly replaced the earlier term Dania. The corresponding adjective dacus was used to describe individuals from this region.

The History of the Term

Before the 11th century, Dacia referred to the Roman province located north of the Danube, in what is now modern-day Romania. However, in medieval texts, the name was mistakenly applied to Denmark. By the 11th century, Scandinavians, particularly the Danes, were being referred to as Daci or Danes in this context.

The confusion between the ancient Roman province of Dacia and Dania (Denmark) was noted in various historical sources. For example, the Historia Daciæ by Paulus Orosius (c. 417-418) contributed to this confusion by mentioning Dacia alongside Gothic territories extending from Russia to the Roman province of Dacia.

This misinterpretation spread through the works of several medieval authors. By the 12th century, the term Dacia was widely used in ecclesiastical and scholarly circles to refer to Denmark. Prominent scholars like Saxo Grammaticus, as well as Dominican friars and chroniclers, reinforced this interpretation in the historical record. By the 13th century, Dacia had become an accepted term for Denmark in both religious and academic contexts. For instance, the Dominicans organized their Scandinavian provinces under the name Provincia Dacie.

Ecclesiastical and Monastic Usage

After the establishment of religious orders like the Dominicans and Franciscans, Dacia became a key designation for monastic provinces in Scandinavia. For instance, the Dominican province of Scandinavia was called Provincia Dacie. This ecclesiastical usage persisted even after the Reformation, which led to the dissolution of monastic communities in the region. While the monasteries were closed, some Catholic orders, particularly the Hospitallers, retained the titular rank of "Grand Prior of Dacia." However, this title became purely ceremonial, with no real power or income.

As a name suffix

In medieval universities, personal names were often supplemented with place names to better identify individuals. The name suffix de Dacia or the adjective Dacus was used to indicate individuals from Scandinavia, particularly Denmark. Some notable examples include:

• Boetius of Dacia
• Martin of Dacia
• Petrus de Dacia
• Petrus Philomena de Dacia
• Jacobus de Dacia

Even after the Reformation led to the dissolution of monasteries and commanderies in Scandinavia, the Hospitallers continued to maintain the ceremonial title of "Grand Prior of Dacia," although it no longer held any real function, income, or power.

• Mention English place names

• Jakobsen, Johnny Grandjean Gøgsig (2012). "Why Dacia?". www.jggj.dk. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
• Field, John (1977). "Dacus = "Dane" in English place-names". Nomina. 1: 32.
• Williamson, Tom (2010). The Origins of Hertfordshire. Hatfield: Hertfordshire Publications. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-905313-95-2.
• New Catholic encyclopedia https://archive.org/details/newcatholicencyc04thom/page/492/mode/2up?q=dacia