The Demise of Norse Religion
About this book
When describing the transition from Old Norse religion to Christianity in recent studies, the concept of "Christianization" is often applied. To a large extent this historiography focuses on the outcome of the encounter, namely the description of early Medieval Christianity and the new Christian society. The purpose of the present study is to concentrate more exclusively on the Old Norse religion during this period of change and to analyze the processes behind its disappearance on an official level of the society. More specifically this study concentrates on the role of Viking kings and indigenous agency in the winding up of the old religion. An actor-oriented perspective will thus be established, which focuses on the actions, methods and strategies applied by the early Christian Viking kings when dismantling the religious tradition that had previously formed their lives. In addition, the resistance that some pagan chieftains offered against these Christian kings is discussed as well as the question why they defended the old religious tradition.
Author / Editor information
Professor Olof Sundqvist, Department of Ethnology, History of Religions and Gender Studies, Stockholm University.
Topics
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Frontmatter
I -
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Preface
VII -
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Contents
IX - Part I: Prolegomena
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1 Introduction
3 -
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2 Previous theories and research: A critical assessment
46 - Part II: The role of rulers as agents in the winding up of the native religion
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3 Rulers and conversions
63 -
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4 The rulers’ strategies for doing away with former religious practice and beliefs
75 -
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5 Replacements and displacements of pagan religion
184 -
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6 King Óláfr Tryggvason’s missions ‒ a contextual approach
222 -
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7 Why pagan rituals and religious leadership?
247 - Part III: Pagans fight back
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8 Blótsveinn and the pagan revolt in Svetjud
259 -
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9 Pagan defenders and rebellions against Christian kings in Trøndelag
293 -
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10 The resistance of pagans in Iceland
321 -
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11 The resilience of pagans: A comparative perspective
337 - Part IV: Epilegomena
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12 The Demise of Old Norse Religion: A Synthesis
351 -
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Sources
361 -
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Bibliography
369 -
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Abbreviations
403 -
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Index
405
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