Viby and Kårarp

The oldest roads follow the boulder-ridges through the region, and the division of hundreds was partly conditioned by the communications system – the borders of hundreds often follow the course of the Royal Route. Prior to 1891 the word “royal road” meant “public road”. Magnus Eriksson´s “Dux speculum”, written in the 14th century, states that one of the king´s duties was to “behold and endorse public roads in his realm, which must be travelled both winter and summer between counties and market-places, by country people”.

At Kårarp near Viby, the Royal Route passed the gallows hill, close to the border of a hundred. It might have served as a place of execution for the two neighbouring hundreds. There is a Bronze Age barrow, an Iron Age grave-field, three rune-stones and hollow ways. This was an important regional centre in the late Iron Age and early Middle Ages.

The Viby church was erected on a pre-Christian mound and the ­tower is from the 12th century. The original name was “Viby Scurusten” – a designation indicating both a hundred court and a cult site. In the ­cemetery, there is a stone with a carved cross from the early 11th century with no text. Such stones denote that this was a Christian burial ground before there was a church. Near Viby, there was also a great ­estate, which might have served as a royal demesne, offering a possible resting-point for the royal retinue in a week´s journey (on horse-back, in winter) through Östergötland.
From Viby, the king and his escort continued towards Gottlösa, Öjebro and Skänninge.