Unpredictability and Presence

Norwegian Kingship in the High Middle Ages
Erscheinungsjahr 2008
ISBN: 978-90-04-16661-5
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 38, 378 Seiten, Format (B × H): 164 mm x 246 mm, Gewicht: 761 g

Reihe: The Northern World

This book – inspired by historians like Fredric Cheyette, Stephen White and William Miller – applies a legal anthropological framework to Norwegian history. At the same time, it focuses on what happens when pre-state conflict patterns encounters a more stable royal power in the high middle ages. The author demonstrates how in the 12th and 13th century the king under strong clerical influence is depicted as just and omnipresent. However, a detailed survey of the king’s conflicts shows that he to a substantial degree based his dominion on unpredictability and presence. The results presented in this book will certainly be discussed, but few will disagree that it formulates the question of state formation in a new and challenging way. In addition it clearly demonstrates the relevance of studying Scandinavian history as part of European history.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Orning, Hans Jacob

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Weltgeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
Map
Introduction
PART I
IDEAL SUBORDINATION: OBEDIENCE AND SERVICE
Introduction
Chapter One The Forerunner: The Relationship to God
Chapter Two The Relationship to the King
PART II
PRACTICAL SUBORDINATION: LOYALTY
Introduction
Chapter One The Relationship between King and Retainers
Chapter Two The Relationship between the King and the Magnates
Chapter Three The Relationship between the King and the Peasants
Conclusion Unpredictability and Presence
contents
Appendices:

Norwegian Kings 1161–1319
Larger Factional Groups 1177–1240
Titles of Some Important Royal Officials
Abbreviations
Bibliography
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Hans Jacob Orning, Ph.D. (2004) in medieval history, University of Oslo, is Associate Professor in medieval history at University College in Volda, Norway. He has published many articles on Scandinavian medieval history.