The Transformation of Europe: The Role of Scandinavia
In: Eurasian Transformations, Tenth to Thirteenth CenturiesSearch for other papers by Sverre Bagge in
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Abstract
The article examines Scandinavia’s role in the transformation of Europe in the Middle Ages. First, an important aspect of this transformation is the great expansion of Western Christendom from the tenth century onwards, which led to the establishment of new political entities rather than to an extension of polities in the “old” Europe. Thus, the expansion meant an important step in the direction of a characteristic European feature, a system of independent polities within a common culture. Second, the article examines the particular form this common culture took in Scandinavia, the introduction of European military technology in at least parts of the area and its consequences, the introduction of Christianity, Latin culture, and Scholasticism, and the introduction of bureaucracy in the service of monarchy and Church, based on the use of writing. However, despite increasing Europeanisation during the period, the Scandinavian countries also show specific features and modifications of European trends.