The Social Consequences of Literacy in Medieval Scandinavia (Utrecht Studies in Medieval Literacy)

Between 1000 and 1536 Scandinavia was transformed from a conglomerate of largely pre-state societies to societies characterized by state governments. Its most important single aspect was the increasing monopolization of 'legitimate' violence by the state. But Church and State also used literacy to strengthen social control, and they did so in central and important areas: jurisdiction, religious conformity and accounting. Thus, they hoped to control the areas they understood to be most important. Their intentions were largely fulfilled. The main driving force behind the transition to state societies was the monopolization of legitimate violence, but the use of literacy made a difference as well. By writing down oral 'laws', and by increasingly resorting to writing in traditionally oral judicial procedures, the state gradually gained control of institutionalized social practices with a minimum of 'legitimate violence'. Written laws made social norms more precise and easier to change, a necessity in an increasingly complex society. Writing also strengthened social cohesion by creating common religious rituals, procedures and narratives. Written accounts made taxation more stable and therefore seem more just and acceptable. The basic social transformations of the period cannot be attributed to increasing literacy alone. But the written word rendered the reorganization of society in Scandinavia more peaceful and gradual, strengthened social conformity and cohesion. Between 1000 And 1536 Scandinavia Was Transformed From A Conglomerate Of Largely Pre-state Societies To Societies With State Governments. The State Increasingly Monopolised Legitimate Violence. Church And State Used Literacy To Strengthen Social Control In Central And Important Areas: Jurisdiction, Religion And Accounting. Written Laws Made Social Norms More Precise And Easier To Change, A Necessity In An Increasingly Complex Society. The Basic Social Transformations Of The Period Cannot Be Attributed To Increasing Literacy Alone, But The Written Word Rendered Them More Peaceful And Gradual, And Strengthened Social Conformity And Cohesion. Writing In Roman Letters Was Introduced Late To Scandinavia (ca. 1000 A.d.); Consequently The Transition From Orality To Literacy Is Better Documented Than In Many Other European Societies. The Rich Saga Literature From The Twelfth And Thirteenth Centuries Emerged At The Time That Administrative Literacy Was Introduced. Until The Fourteenth Century, Literacy Was Mainly Promoted By Church And State In Their Efforts To Pacify And Control Society. Then The Literate Elites Grew, Encompassing Ever Larger Groups Of Officials, Clerks, Merchants And Artisans, Many Of Whom Were Now Educated In Town Schools. The Resulting Elite Culture Prepared The Ground For The Development Of A Proto-national Identity.--jacket. Ch. 1. Literacy Before 1200 : Religious Conformity And A New Elite Identity -- Ch. 2. Literacy 1200-1350 : The Construction Of Great Organizations -- Ch. 3. Literacy 1350-1536 : The Emergence Of A Broad, Literate Elite. By Arnved Nedkvitne. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [257]-276) And Indexes. "Between 1000 and 1536 Scandinavia was transformed from a conglomerate of largely pre-state societies to societies with state governments. The state increasingly monopolised "legitimate" violence. Church and state used literacy to strengthen social control in central and important areas: jurisdiction, religion and accounting. Written laws made social norms more precise and easier to change, a necessity in an increasingly complex society. The basic social transformations of the period cannot be attributed to increasing literacy alone, but the written word rendered them more peaceful and gradual, and strengthened social conformity and cohesion. Writing in Roman letters was introduced late to Scandinavia (ca. 1000 A.D.); consequently the transition from orality to literacy is better documented than in many other European societies. The rich saga literature from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries emerged at the time that administrative literacy was introduced. Until the fourteenth century, literacy was mainly promoted by church and state in their efforts to pacify and control society. Then the literate elites grew, encompassing ever larger groups of officials, clerks, merchants and artisans, many of whom were now educated in town schools. The resulting elite culture prepared the ground for the development of a proto-national identity."-- Provided by publisher Maps ix Illustrations xi Abbreviations xv Preface xvii Introduction 1 Chapter 1. Literacy before 1200: Religious Conformity and a New Elite Identity 15 Chapter 2. Literacy 1200-1350: The Construction of Great Organizations 36 Chapter 3. Literacy 1350-1536: The Emergence of a Broad, Literate Elite 157 Conclusion 241 Bibliography 257 Index 277