Clark, Harriet
(2024)
The representation of kingship and co-rulership in the Norwegian Kings' Sagas, c.1030-c.1130.
PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
Abstract
This thesis addresses the question of how the respective authors of Ágrip af Nóregskonunga sǫgum, Morkinskinna, Fagrskinna, and Heimskringla depicted the ideal qualities for kingship in the cases of co-kings in the period c.1030–c.1130. Previous research into kingship ideology has largely focused on a normative model of singular monarchy, with co-kingship typically seen as either a sign of an unstable political system, or that the tensions which formed between co-kings ensured a stable society. Both of these views rest on the assumption that co-kings were inherent rivals, and that they are depicted as such in the Norwegian kings’ sagas. The present study challenges this assumption, and demonstrates how the authors of Ágrip, Morkinskinna, Fagrskinna, and Heimskringla depicted co-kings as complementary and collaborative units of ideal kingship.
The thesis focuses on two cases of co-kingship: the shared rulership between the Magnússon brothers, Eysteinn Magnússon and Sigurðr Jórsalafari, and the rulership of Magnús inn góði [the good] and Haraldr Sigurðarson. The study begins with an analysis of the ideals which the Morkinskinna and Heimskringla authors explicitly address and include in a mannjafnaðr performed between the Magnússon brothers. The ideals and qualities for kingship raised throughout the mannjafnaðr are considered against the depictions of the brothers, in these texts, as well as Ágrip and Fagrskinna, to see if and how each brother is shown to possess those same qualities, or aspects thereof.
The second part of the thesis considers how the ideal kingship qualities of wisdom, fortitude, and restraint are presented in the depictions of Haraldr Sigurðarson and Magnús inn góði respectively, throughout the narrative period c.1030–c.1047. The study turns firstly to Haraldr Sigurðarson and addresses how his depicted qualities and behaviours for his time as the leader of the Varangians qualify him for kingship once he returned to Norway in c.1045. The depictions of Haraldr Sigurðarson as a wise, brave, and self-restrained leader are then contrasted in the final analysis on the textual portrayals of Magnús inn góði, who is frequently depicted as naïve, tyrannical, and lacking in restraint, though occasionally able to master himself. As is found in the case of the Magnússon brothers, Haraldr Sigurðarson and Magnús inn góði are shown to be complementary individuals who were able to meet all of the ideals for kingship as a collaborative co-ruling unit.
From these case studies, this thesis concludes that the Ágrip, Morkinskinna, Fagrskinna, and Heimskringla authors had a shared understanding of co-kingship as a complementary and collaborative form of rulership in which all of the ideals for kingship were met.
| Item Type: |
Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
(PhD)
|
| Supervisors: |
Jesch, Judith
Callow, Chris |
| Keywords: |
Medieval, Norway, Norwegian, Kingship, Co-rulership, kings' sagas, Old Norse, Ágrip af Nóregskonunga sǫgum, Morkinskinna, Fagrskinna, Heimskringla |
| Subjects: |
P Language and literature > PT Germanic literature |
| Faculties/Schools: |
UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of English |
| Item ID: |
78565 |
| Depositing User: |
Clark, Harriet
|
| Date Deposited: |
10 Dec 2024 04:40 |
| Last Modified: |
10 Dec 2024 04:40 |
| URI: |
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/78565 |
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