Medieval Norwegian Kings and Their Claims to Power

Location

CSU 202

Start Date

23-4-2007 10:00 AM

End Date

23-4-2007 12:00 PM

Student's Major

World Languages and Cultures

Student's College

Arts and Humanities

Mentor's Name

Maria-Claudia Tomany

Mentor's Department

World Languages and Cultures

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

Long before Norway achieved independence from the Swedish crown in 1905 and established a new dynasty of kings, it had a well-established monarchy that developed as far back as the ninth century. How these first kings claimed power is an interesting study in the development of medieval European states. Although the common themes of warfare and paternal descent were encountered, so were very unexpected ways of coming to the throne. In the haphazard days of the Middle Ages when life and limb were uncertain, a powerful kingship developed along the North Sea. Using Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla as the primary focus of this project, the claims to the throne and how kings viewed themselves in the scheme of things became much clearer. The use of this document had quite an impact - the kings could be examined in what has become regarded as the source on the medieval Norwegian monarchy and they could be looked at critically, since Heimskringla added a certain political spin to the lives of these rulers. By a careful examination of all factors, a definitive answer as to how these kings claimed power has finally been achieved.

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Apr 23rd, 10:00 AM Apr 23rd, 12:00 PM

Medieval Norwegian Kings and Their Claims to Power

CSU 202

Long before Norway achieved independence from the Swedish crown in 1905 and established a new dynasty of kings, it had a well-established monarchy that developed as far back as the ninth century. How these first kings claimed power is an interesting study in the development of medieval European states. Although the common themes of warfare and paternal descent were encountered, so were very unexpected ways of coming to the throne. In the haphazard days of the Middle Ages when life and limb were uncertain, a powerful kingship developed along the North Sea. Using Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla as the primary focus of this project, the claims to the throne and how kings viewed themselves in the scheme of things became much clearer. The use of this document had quite an impact - the kings could be examined in what has become regarded as the source on the medieval Norwegian monarchy and they could be looked at critically, since Heimskringla added a certain political spin to the lives of these rulers. By a careful examination of all factors, a definitive answer as to how these kings claimed power has finally been achieved.

Recommended Citation

Lawrence, Daryl R.. "Medieval Norwegian Kings and Their Claims to Power." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/oral-session-03/6