IMC 2022: Sessions

Session 127: Elite Legitimacy on the Borders of Latin Christendom: Poland and Norway, 1000-1300, I - Stories of Legitimation

Monday 4 July 2022, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:	Norway Grants Project 'Symbolic Resources & Political Structures on the Periphery: Legitimisation of the Elites in Poland & Norway, c. 1000-1300'
Organisers:	Hans Jacob Orning, Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie, Universitetet i Oslo Grzegorz Pac, Wydział Historyczny, Uniwersytet Warszawski
Moderator/Chair:	Grzegorz Pac, Wydział Historyczny, Uniwersytet Warszawski
Paper 127-a	Reception of Ancient Traditions as Legitimisation of Rulers and Dynasties (Language: English) Grzegorz Bartusik, Centre for Nordic & Old English Studies, University of Silesia, Katowice 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, Institutionen för historiska studier, Göteborgs 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, Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic, University of Cambridge Paweł Żmudzki, Wydział Historii, Uniwersytet Warszawski Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Religious Life, Social History
Abstract	The 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.