Description
Book SynopsisIn The Nature of Kingship c. 800-1300. The Danish Incident Nils Hybel presents the first comprehensive history of the changeable nature of monarchial power in Danish territories from the Viking Age to the Central Middle Ages. The work offers a pioneering methodological approach entirely based on medieval conceptions on sovereign power. This innovative approach involves contemporary ideas, not modern notions of power and kingship, being used to undertake the analysis. The Danish “Incident” is therefore integrated within the European context. Kingship experienced a profound transformation during the half millennium investigated. A royal genealogy and strong bonds with Christian institutions were established in the late eleventh century. In the middle of the twelfth century the Danish realm was united, followed by the final liberation from German hegemony and the expansion of the realm with German and Slavic fiefs in the late twelfth century. At the same time, with the first signs of taxation, legislation, law enforcement and the notion of a national, military force, kings began the transition from warlords to medieval kingship. With stirrings of constitutionalism from 1241 onwards, this development of a national, medieval, kingdom intensified, though by c. 1300 the kingdom had not yet reached the point of total sovereign power.
Trade Review"Hybel (Univ. Copenhagen) enters the Danish historiographical debate regarding the date when a “Danish national medieval kingdom” first existed, and concludes, expectedly, that even by the early 13th century, the Danish monarchy did not “fully meet the standards” for such a kingdom. [...] Well researched, with sound conclusions. Summing Up: Recommended." - J. P. Huffman, Messiah College, in: Choice 55:11 (July, 2018) ''Hybels weitgreifende und lehrreiche Studie führt so die zwei Seiten der Staatsgenese-Forschung vor Augen: Einerseits verdeutlicht sie den wandelbaren Charakter dessen, was sich zu einer gegebenen Zeit hinter einem regnum und seinen Königen als Struktur und Handlungsspielraum verbirgt; anderer seits demonstriert sie auch das von Hybel selbst thematisierte Risiko der teleologischen Verengung, zumal »Königtum«." - Roland Scheel, in: Rechtsgeschichte Legal History 27 (2019)
Table of ContentsList of Figures, Charts and Maps Abbreviations Introduction 1 Historiography Kings and Clans The Birth of the Viking Age Regnum and Sacerdotium A Tenth-Century Central Power The Historical Turning Point A Medieval Kingdom of the Viking Age The Janus-Faced King The Birth of Medieval Kingship Conclusion 2 A Speculum Regale The European Context Rex Gratia Dei Popular Legitimation of Kingship The Lawmaker The Ideal Leader Conclusion 3 Genealogy Historical Kings until c. 1140 Legendary Kings Historic Kings in Sources from c. 1140 Conclusion 4 Marca, Feudum, and Sovereignty The Danish Marca Feudum Sovereignty Sovereignty—An Anachronism? Conclusion 5 Law, Justice, and Constitution Sources of Medieval Law Narratives of the Earliest Danish Laws Extant Laws and Ordinances before 1241 Monarchical Legislation and Jurisdiction before 1241 Extant Laws and Ordinances from 1241 Monarchical Legislation and Jurisdiction from 1241 Constitution Conclusion 6 Landownership Ownership in Roman Law Ownership in Medieval Jurisprudence Family Ownership Private Property Ways of Acquiring Land Common Rights and Dominium Utile Conclusion 7 Tax Tribute, Plunder, and Gifts Mint Taxes Town and Market Taxes Customs Duties Urban and Commercial Duties Rural Taxes Conclusion 8 War and Peace Viking Kings and/or Warlords Medieval Kings and/or Warlords Towards a Public Army? Military Law Conclusion 9 The Realm Dane Denmark The Geopolitical Area of Denmark before the Mid-Eleventh Century Towards the Formation of a Realm The Danish Realm Conclusion 10 Overall Assessment Bibliography Index of Persons and Places Subject Index
