Journal Articles and Book Chapters by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
Gripla, 2024
This article examines the function of St Óláfr Haraldsson (d. 1030) in the genealogies of saints ... more This article examines the function of St Óláfr Haraldsson (d. 1030) in the genealogies of saints from the Norse world. Studies of Norwegian kingship have shown how Óláfr retained a pivotal role in legitimising claims to power from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries. But Óláfr was also used to legitimise later saints. This study considers two such saints: St Hallvarðr Vébjarnarson (d. c. 1043) from eastern Norway and St. Magnús Erlendsson of Orkney (d. 1116/17). The article illustrates the ways in which genealogies of these later saints interacted with and used the legacy of Óláfr helgi, demonstrating the enduring significance of Óláfr in the genealogical narratives of subsequent saints. Hallvarðr’s genealogies are carefully explored through fragmented textual sources including the Latin Acta Sancti Halvardi and the almost completely lost Old Norse Hallvarðs saga. The sources consistently report of a matrilineal relationship between Hallvarðr and Óláfr helgi but are inconsistent about the details. It is contended that the idea of this relationship circulated orally before the genealogies were committed to writing. It is, however, good reason to be critical of the proposed kinship. Both Hallvarðr and Óláfr are mentioned in Adam of Bremen’s Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesie Pontificum (c. 1075/76) but are not shown to be related. It is likely, therefore, that the claimed relationship emerged only around the 1100s, when King Sigurðr Jórsalafari (r. 1103–30) was involved in the construction of St Hallvarðr’s Church for the bishops of Oslo. The relationship between Óláfr and Hallvarðr could have underpinned this collaboration, consolidating the power and prestige of King Sigurðr in competition with his co-kings Eysteinn and Óláfr. The second part of the article turns to St Magnús Erlendsson. His genealogies from Orkneyinga saga, Magnúss saga skemmri, and Magnúss saga lengri offer new perspectives on the promotion of Magnús’ cult in the centuries after his death. Orkneyinga saga emphasises the Icelanders among Magnús’ matrilineal ancestors whereas his cousin and rival, Hákon, is shown to descend from King Magnús góði (r. 1035–47), notably stopping one generation short of King Óláfr helgi. Magnúss saga skemmri, from the second half of the thirteenth century, is considered to offer little of value outside the narrative of Orkneyinga saga, but it both condenses and expands the genealogy of its source. The text increases the prestige of St Magnús by connecting him by a new branch to the Norwegian royal family although Óláfr helgi is completely omitted from the narrative. This omission highlights the individual merits of Magnús’ achievements and miracles, possibly reflecting competition between the Óláfr and Magnús in late thirteenth-century Iceland. Finally, the genealogies in Magnúss saga lengri are seen to establish Magnús’ status as a saint within a broader Nordic context. It reintroduces Óláfr helgi to Magnús’ genealogy aligning him genealogically with even more saints from the Norse world. In this text, rivalry and local concerns are thus displaced by a harmonised vision of a pan-Nordic community of related saints from Norway, Iceland, and Orkney.
Conquests in Eleventh-Century England: 1016, 1066, 2020
Conference Papers by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
The International Medieval Congress, University of Leeds, 4 July 2019.
Norske Historiedager, University of South-Eastern Norway, Tønsberg, 14 – 15 June 2019.
17th International Saga Conference, Reykjavík & Rekyholt Iceland, August 12-17 2018
Conquest: 1016, 1066, An Interdisciplinary Anniversary Conference, Ioannou Centre Oxford, 21-24 J... more Conquest: 1016, 1066, An Interdisciplinary Anniversary Conference, Ioannou Centre Oxford, 21-24 July 2016.
Presentation at Gender and Transgression in the Middle Ages, University of St Andrews Institute o... more Presentation at Gender and Transgression in the Middle Ages, University of St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval Studies, April 2016
Joint Medieval Workshop Roundtable, 10 th December 2015, Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge.
Presentation at Christ's College, Cambridge. ERSS - The Emerging Research Seminar Series, 10th No... more Presentation at Christ's College, Cambridge. ERSS - The Emerging Research Seminar Series, 10th November 2015.
Paper given at Darkness and Illumination: the pursuit of Knowledge in the Medieval and Early Mode... more Paper given at Darkness and Illumination: the pursuit of Knowledge in the Medieval and Early Modern World, Medieval and Early Modern Student Association Durham University, Nitnth Annual Postgraduate Conference, 18th July 2015.
Newspaper Articles by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
Debattinnlegg i Klassekampen 31. Juli 2017
PhD Thesis by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
Papers by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
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Journal Articles and Book Chapters by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
Conference Papers by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
Newspaper Articles by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
PhD Thesis by Peter Sigurdson Lunga
Papers by Peter Sigurdson Lunga