Unpredictability and presence Norwegian kingship in the High Middle Ages - Orning, Hans Jacob (Brill, 2008)
Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Oslo Univ., 2004. - Translated from the Norwegian
Includes bibliographical references (pages 349-365) and index
Ideal subordination : obedience and service -- The forerunner : the relationship to God -- The relationship to the king -- Practical subordination : loyalty -- The relationship between king and retainers -- The relationship between the king and the magnates -- The relationship between the king and the peasants -- Unpredictability and presence -- Norwegian kings 1161-1319 -- Larger factional groups 1177-1240 -- Titles of some important royal officials
Applies a legal anthropological framework to Norwegian history. This book focuses on what happens when pre-state conflict patterns encounters a stable royal power in the high middle ages. It formulates the question of state formation in a different way. It demonstrates the relevance of studying Scandinavian history as part of European history