The Nordic Middle Ages: Settlement and Power in Northern Europe
Summary
The Nordic Middle Ages were shaped by harsh environments, migratory peoples, and clashes with indigenous populations. Cattle and sheep raising, bird hunting, egg gathering, and fishing were the primary sources of sustenance for the population of the coasts and adjacent zones. Norsemen from Iceland established settlements along the coasts of Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, and North America in the High Middle Ages, but these did not last long. Despite difficulties, Iceland became the most westerly major settlement of transplanted Europeans in the Middle Ages, and it was organized around local assemblies of chieftains and elders and a national assembly, the Althing. Meanwhile, Denmark was the dominant power in Scandinavia, but Norway and Sweden also faced religious and political challenges. The Celtic regions of the British Isles had similar tangles in their political and dynastic histories, while England was economically the most productive and militarily strong political division.
Table of Contents
- The Nordic Middle Ages: Settlement and Power in Northern Europe
- Sustenance and Settlements
- The Rise and Fall of Norse Settlements
- Local Assemblies and National Assembly in Iceland
- Dominance and Decline of Denmark
- Religious and Political Challenges in Norway and Sweden
- Political and Dynastic Histories in the Celtic Regions of Britain
- Rise of England: Economic and Military Power
Q&A
Sustenance and Settlements
How did people in the Nordic Middle Ages survive and sustain themselves in their environment?
The population of the coasts and adjacent zones sustained themselves through cattle and sheep raising, bird hunting, egg gathering, and fishing.
The Rise and Fall of Norse Settlements
Why did the Norse settlements along the coasts of Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, and North America in the High Middle Ages not last long?
The Norse settlements did not last long due to the harsh environment and clashes with indigenous peoples.
How did Greenland see more enduring colonization compared to the other Norse settlements?
Greenland saw more enduring colonization and even adopted Icelandic political institutions, but the settlers faced serious problems with migratory peoples who destroyed their settlements in the mid-fourteenth century.
Local Assemblies and National Assembly in Iceland
What was the political organization of Iceland during the Nordic Middle Ages?
Iceland was organized around local assemblies of chieftains and elders and a national assembly, the Althing.
What was the society like in Iceland during the Nordic Middle Ages?
The society was marked by strong clans, affiliation through various ties, and an institution of slaves who were mainly household servants.
Dominance and Decline of Denmark
Was Denmark the dominant power in Scandinavia during the Nordic Middle Ages?
Yes, Denmark was the dominant power in Scandinavia and had entered into a period of imperial expansion.
What was the overall ascendancy of Denmark as an imperial power like?
The overall ascendancy of Denmark as an imperial power was brief.
Did Denmark attempt to create central institutions during the Nordic Middle Ages?
Yes, Cnut attempted to create central institutions in Denmark, but the overall ascendancy of Denmark as an imperial power was brief.
Religious and Political Challenges in Norway and Sweden
Did Norway face religious challenges during the Nordic Middle Ages?
Yes, Norway faced difficulties with paganism and Danish expansion, but by 1100 it was a Christian country.
What about Sweden?
Sweden faced religious divides, with Christianity recently established, but steadily pagan resistance was ground down, and by 1100, Sweden was a Christian country.
Political and Dynastic Histories in the Celtic Regions of Britain
Were political and dynastic histories in the Celtic regions of Britain straightforward?
No, the Celtic regions (Scotland, Cornwall, and Wales) of Britain had similar tangles in their political and dynastic histories.
What were some challenges faced by Scotland?
Scotland had a single dynasty ruling over all of the territory, but stability was elusive, and the Scottish Church was hampered by structural weaknesses.
Rise of England: Economic and Military Power
How did England compare to other political divisions in the Nordic Middle Ages in terms of productivity and military strength?
England was economically the most productive and militarily strong political division.
Did the Danes attempt to govern England differently than the Anglo-Saxons?
The Danes imposed their rule in the early eleventh century but did not spread beyond the north. Cnut the Great governed through appointed officials and maintained the modes of governance of Old English society.
Conclusion
The Nordic Middle Ages were a period marked by harsh environments, migratory peoples, and clashes with indigenous populations. Despite difficulties, settlements were established along the coasts of Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, and North America in the High Middle Ages, but these did not last long. Iceland became the most westerly major settlement of transplanted Europeans in the Middle Ages and was organized around local assemblies of chieftains and elders and a national assembly, the Althing. Meanwhile, Denmark was the dominant power in Scandinavia, but Norway and Sweden also faced religious and political challenges. The Celtic regions of the British Isles had similar tangles in their political and dynastic histories, while England was economically the most productive and militarily strong political division.
