Unpredictability and Presence: Norwegian Kingship in the High Middle Ages (The Northern World, 38)

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.

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 centuries 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.

"This book applies a legal anthropological framework to Norwegian history. At the same time, it focuses on what happens when pre-state conflict patterns encounter a more stable royal power in the high middle ages. The author demonstrates how in the 12th 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."--BOOK JACKET Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 List of Illustrations 10 Map 12 Introduction 16 PART I IDEAL SUBORDINATION: OBEDIENCE AND SERVICE 64 Introduction 66 Chapter One The Forerunner: The Relationship to God 72 Chapter Two The Relationship to the King 84 PART II PRACTICAL SUBORDINATION: LOYALTY 124 Introduction 126 Chapter One The Relationship between King and Retainers 140 Chapter Two The Relationship between the King and the Magnates 170 Chapter Three The Relationship between the King and the Peasants 272 Conclusion Unpredictability and Presence 326 Appendices 7 Norwegian Kings 1161–1319 360 Larger Factional Groups 1177–1240 360 Titles of Some Important Royal Offi cials 361 Abbreviations 362 Bibliography 364 Index 382 9004166610,9789004166615 Brill Academic Publishers