Kingship and State in the Norse World

Our point of departure is the Vikings' expansion on the British Isles and in the North-Atlantic c. 800-1000. We will focus on the political development in the areas where the Vikings settled and on the relations between the Norwegian Crown and Iceland, Greenland, the Faeroes, Shetland, Orkney, Man and the Hebrides c. 800-1400. The chief aim of the course is to illustrate change and continuity in the relations between the various political units in the Norse world, especially in the wake of the state development process in the High Middle Ages.

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:
The candidate is familiar with the Viking expansion in the British Isles and in the North-Atlantic in the period c. 800-1000. The candidate knows that the expansion led to the establishment of several semi- and autonomous political entities that developed in different directions and that had different relations to the developing kingdoms of northwestern Europe. The candidate is familiar with the state development processes of Norway and Scotland in the 12th and 13th centuries and able to give an account of and discuss the consequences of these processes for the smaller political entities in the Norse world. The candidate is able to give an account of and discuss whether break or continuity characterize the relations between the political entities in the period c. 800-1400. The candidate is familiar with differing national accounts and interpretations of the political development in the Norse world and how the interpretation of sources and the application of source criticism have influenced historians’ understanding.

Skills:
The candidate is able to apply his/her knowledge of this period to present and analyse the question of the political development of the Norse world c. 800-1400 and to explain how different interpretations of sources and events have influenced historians’ understanding of the development. He/she is able to present their knowledge in writing, having written an essay that complies with the requirements of academic writing.

Lectures and one mandatory paper. 4 hours written exam.