Scandinavian history in the Viking age - Department of Anglo-Saxon ...

Scandinavian History in the Viking Age
On Norse traditions in the Irish sea area in the late eleventh century, and some interesting discussion of
royal genealogies, see:
[E88] J. Jesch, ‘Norse historical traditions and the Historia Gruffud vab Kenan: Magnús berfœttr and
Haraldr hárfagri’, Gruffudd ap Cynan: a collaborative bibliography, Studies in Celtic history 16, ed.
K.L. Maund (1996), 117-47 [UL 485:2.c.95.97]
The late eleventh century
The late eleventh century seems to have been a period of fairly rapid development in Norway, with
urbanisation and the Church beginning seriously to flourish (L200 ff., N230 ff.). For the continuing
‘Viking’ activity in the west, see:
[E90] R. Power, ‘Magnus barelegs’ expeditions to the west’, Scottish historical review 65 (1986), 107-32
The twelfth century
For the twelfth century and the onset of the civil wars so deplored by some mediaeval authors, the
general guides above (A35, E1 ff.) are the best starting point. For a review of the possible causes that led
to the civil war, see:
[E91] B. Sawyer, ‘The ‘civil wars’ revisited’ NHT 82 (2003), 43-73
the standard textbook on early mediaeval Norway remains:
[E95] K. Helle, Norge blir en staat 1130-1319, 2nd edn, Handbok i Norges historie 3 (1974) [UL
593:01.c.1.103]
Kingship and succession
The prevalence of joint kingship in eleventh- and twelfth-century Norway is striking, as also are the
attempts to historically ‘legitimise’ the Norwegian royal house back before saint Olaf Haraldsson with
reference to Harald fairhair (E30 ff.). It has been argued that the role of Harald is so heavily emphasised
in kings’ sagas to provide a justification for royal landholding in the mediaeval era.
[E100] N. Bjørgo, ‘Samkongedøme kontra einkongedøme’, NHT 49 (1970), 1-33 (E.s.) and S. Bagge,
‘Samkongedømme og enekongedømme’, NHT 54 (1975), 239-74 (E.s.)
[E101] J. Jochens, ‘The politics of reproduction: medieval Norwegian kingship’, American historical
review 92 (1987), 327-49
[E102] C. Krag, ‘Norge som odel i Harald hårfagres ætt: et møte med en gjenganger’, NHT 68 (1989),
288-302 (E.s.)
[E103] H. Bjørkvik, ‘The Norwegian royal lands in the middle ages’, CM 5 (1992), 7-26
F. SWEDEN
The history of Sweden in the Viking age stands alone due to the almost complete absence of written
sources. This combined with the unevenness of archaeological research into the various regions means
that a general overview of Swedish history is as yet unwritten, and this is reflected in the items cited here;
for a fairly complicated attempt, (F8).
General surveys
[F1] H. Hildebrand, Sveriges medeltid: kulturhistorisk skildring, 3 vols plus Register, ed. S. Tunberg
(1884-1903, 1953) [UL 596:4.b.85.1-4]; still a full and classic study
[F2] B. Nerman, ‘The foundation of the Swedish kingdom’, SBVS 10 (1919-27), 113-31 and B. Nerman,
Sveriges rikes uppkomst (1941) [UL 595:2.c.90.6]; Nerman’s work is now heavily dated
[F3] T. Lindkvist, ‘Swedish medieval society: previous research and recent developments’, SJH 4
(1979), 253-68
[F4] E. and H. Patzelt, Schiffe machen Geschichte: Beiträge zur Kulturentwicklung im vorchristlichen
Schweden (1981) [UL 596:3.c.95.6]
[F5] W. Holmqvist and E. Nylén, ‘Schweden und die schwedischen Stämme’, (J3):173-212
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