Unpredictability and Presence: Norwegian Kingship in the High Middle Ages (The Northern World) [Hardcover]

Hans Jacob Orning (Author), Alan Crozier (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2008 | ISBN-10: 9004166610 | ISBN-13: 978-9004166615

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 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.

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About the Author

Hans Jacob Orning, Ph.D. (2004) in medieval history, University of Oslo, is Associate Professor in medieval history at the University College in Volda, Norway. He has published many articles on Scandinavian medieval history.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 375 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004166610
• ISBN-13: 978-9004166615
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,113,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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