Session127
TitleElite Legitimacy on the Borders of Latin Christendom: Poland and Norway, 1000-1300, I - Stories of Legitimation
Date/TimeMonday 4 July 2022: 11.15-12.45
 
SponsorNorway Grants Project 'Symbolic Resources & Political Structures on the Periphery: Legitimisation of the Elites in Poland & Norway, c. 1000-1300'
 
OrganiserHans Jacob Orning, Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie, Universitetet i Oslo
Grzegorz Pac, Wydział Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski
 
Moderator/ChairGrzegorz Pac, Wydział Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski
 
Paper 127-a Reception of Ancient Traditions as Legitimisation of Rulers and Dynasties
(Language: English)
Grzegorz Bartusik, Instytut Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski
Rafał Rutkowski, Wydział Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski
Index Terms: Political Thought; Politics and Diplomacy; Social History
Paper 127-b Missionary Traditions, Religious Violence, and the Symbolic Legitimisation of Elites
(Language: English)
Wojtek Jezierski, Historiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet
Roman Michałowski, Wydział Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski
Index Terms: Ecclesiastical History; Religious Life; Social History
Paper 127-c From Barbarian Warrior to Christian Knight?
(Language: English)
Benjamin Allport, Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie, Universitetet i Oslo
Paweł Żmudzki, Wydział Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski
Index Terms: Ecclesiastical History; Religious Life; Social History
 
AbstractThe crucial way for members of the peripheral elites to display their elevated positions in the society was to present a compelling story about their privilege and distinction. Legitimacy is a projection to some extent; a narration about and justification of elite superiority. This session thematises the variable ways and narrative resources through which high medieval Polish and Norwegian elites narrated their deservedness to rule in the eyes of their peers and subjects. Presented papers focus on how both ruling dynasties and aristocracy employed stories about their military achievements as well as ancient and missionary traditions to legitimise their power.