Christianization and the Rise of Christian Monarchy
Scandinavia, Central Europe and Rus' c.900–1200

An edited volume studying Christianization in northern and central-eastern Europe c. 900–1200.

Nora Berend (Edited by)

9780521876162, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 November 2007

460 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3 cm, 0.84 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This volume constitutes an invaluable resource for our understanding of a crucial period in the formation of Europe.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History

This 2007 text is a comparative, analysis of one of the most fundamental stages in the formation of Europe. Leading scholars explore the role of the spread of Christianity and the formation of new principalities in the birth of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Bohemia, Hungary, Poland and Rus' around the year 1000. Drawing on history, archaeology and art history, and emphasizing problems related to the sources and historiographical debates, they demonstrate the complex interdependence between the processes of religious and political change, covering conditions prior to the introduction of Christianity, the adoption of Christianity, and the development of the rulers' power. Regional patterns emerge, highlighting both the similarities in ruler-sponsored cases of Christianization, and differences in the consolidation of power and in institutions introduced by Christianity. The essays reveal how local societies adopted Christianity; medieval ideas of what constituted the dividing line between Christians and non-Christians; and the connections between Christianity and power.

1. Introduction Nora Berend
2. From paganism to Christianity in medieval Europe Robert Bartlett
3. The kingdom of Denmark Michael H. Gelting
4. The kingdom of Norway Sverre Bagge and Sæbjørg Walaker Nordeide
5. The kingdom of Sweden Nils Blomkvist, Stefan Brink and Thomas Lindkvist
6. Bohemia and Moravia Petr Sommer, Dušan T?eštík, Josef Žemli?ka (with additional contribution by Zoë Opa?íc)
7. The kingdom of Poland, with an appendix on Polabia and Pomerania between paganism and Christianity Przemyslaw Urba?czyk and Stanislaw Rosik
8. The kingdom of Hungary Nora Berend, József Laszlovszky and Béla Zsolt Szakács
9. Rus' Jonathan Shepard
Index.

Subject Areas: History of religion [HRAX], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]