fæstnet

Fæstnet, also known as the "farmstead network" or "farmstead system," refers to a traditional agricultural and social structure found in parts of Scandinavia, particularly in Norway, during the Middle Ages and early modern period. This system was characterized by a decentralized and self-sufficient way of organizing rural life, where individual farmsteads operated largely independently while still being connected to broader regional networks.

The core of the fæstnet was the individual farmstead, or *gård*, which served as the primary unit of production and residence. Each farmstead was responsible for its own subsistence, cultivating crops, raising livestock, and managing resources such as forests and pastures. The system relied heavily on communal land use, where different plots of land were allocated to various farmsteads for cultivation, grazing, or timber harvesting. This shared access to resources fostered a sense of interdependence among neighboring farmsteads, even though each operated autonomously.

Fæstnet was not a rigidly hierarchical system but rather a flexible arrangement that adapted to local conditions. Farmsteads often engaged in seasonal labor exchanges, known as *faste*, where workers from one farm would assist another in exchange for food, lodging, or payment. This practice reinforced social bonds and ensured that tasks such as threshing, plowing, or haymaking were completed efficiently. The system also included communal gatherings, such as *ting* (assembly) meetings, where local disputes were resolved, and collective decisions were made.

The decline of the fæstnet began in the 19th century with the rise of centralized state administration, economic changes, and the shift toward commercial agriculture. Many traditional farmsteads were consolidated or abandoned as larger estates and industrial farming took hold. Today, the concept of fæstnet is primarily studied as a historical model of rural organization, offering insights into pre-modern Scandinavian society, labor practices, and the balance between individualism and communal cooperation.