Until now insular and continental material, mostly metal-work, found in pagan Viking Age graves in Norway, has been interpreted as looted material from churches and monasteries on the British Isles and the Continent. The raiding Vikings brought these objects back to their homeland where they were often broken up and used as jewellery or got alternative functions. Looting or Missioning looks at the use and functions of these sacred objects in their original Christian contexts. Based on such an analysis the author proposes an ...
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Until now insular and continental material, mostly metal-work, found in pagan Viking Age graves in Norway, has been interpreted as looted material from churches and monasteries on the British Isles and the Continent. The raiding Vikings brought these objects back to their homeland where they were often broken up and used as jewellery or got alternative functions. Looting or Missioning looks at the use and functions of these sacred objects in their original Christian contexts. Based on such an analysis the author proposes an alternative interpretation of these objects: they were brought by Christian missionaries from different parts of the British Isles and the Continent to Norway. The objects were either personal (crosses, croziers, portable reliquaries etc.), objects used for baptism (hanging bowls), equipment to officiate a mass (mountings from books or reading equipment, altars or crosses) or to give the communion (pitchers, glass vessels, chalices, paten). We know from contemporary sources (Ansgar in Birka, Sweden in the ninth century) that missionaries brought this sort of equipment on their mission journeys. We also hear that missionaries were robbed, killed or chased off. Mikkelson interprets the sacred objects found in Viking Age pagan graves as objects that originate from the many unsuccessful mission attempts in Norway throughout the Viking Age. They changed function and were integrated in the pagan tradition. The conversion and Christianisation of Norway can thus be seen as a long-lasting process, at least from about 800 (but probably earlier) to the beginning of the eleventh century. As we must assume that the written sources on the subject are incomplete, the archaeological evidences are the main source. In addition to metal work and written sources, the dating and interpretation of stone crosses, rune stones, manuscript fragments and early Christian graves and churches are discussed. The main part of the manuscript regards the context of all these sources, studied in each part of Norway separately: Where do we find concentrations of objects that could support the interpretation of these being the result of mission attempts, and where can we combine archaeological and written sources to tentatively create more complete stories related to mission? One analysis is of special interest to British and Norwegian scholars and even a broader audience. It refers to the chieftain Ohthere from Northern Norway, who visited King Alfred the Great in Winchester in 890. The author finds a link between Alfred???s court and Ohthere???s farm which, it is argued, for was Borg at Vestv???g???y, Lofoten, where the biggest Viking Age house in Northern Europe has been excavated. In the hall of this house were found a rare glass beaker with gold cross decorations, a Continental or British made pitcher, pieces of a bronze bowl and an ???stel of gold. This last piece is only found in Northern Norway and in England, with Wessex and Mercia as the core areas. "The Alfred Jewel" (Ashmolean Museum) is also an ???stel of the same main type, but much more splendid and with an inscription relating it to King Alfred. Mikkelson argues for a bishop being sent from Wessex and Alfred???s court on Ohthere???s ship back to Northern Norway as a missionary.
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Add this copy of Looting Or Missioning: Insular and Continental Sacred to cart. $14.36, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2019 by Oxbow Books.
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Very Good with No dust jacket as issued. 1789253187. Lightly rounded/crimped corner, otherwise text clean and tight; no dust jacket; NOTE: additional postage may be necessary for international shipping; 8vo 8"-9" tall; 256 pages.
Add this copy of Looting Or Missioning: Insular and Continental Sacred to cart. $47.03, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2019 by Oxbow Books.
Add this copy of Looting Or Missioning: Insular and Continental Sacred to cart. $76.53, good condition, Sold by 84 Charing Cross Road Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cambridge, CAMBS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2019 by Oxbow.
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Good Condition. 9781789253184. European History. VG-1st ed 2019 Oxbow hardback, laminated boards, profusely illustrated. Corners bumped with minor surface splits to top corners of boards, top front corner of spine a little bumped, VG bright and unmarked otherwise. Size: 216\nx 280\nx 20.32mm. 256 pages. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1-2 kilos. Category: Antiques & Collectibles; European History; ISBN: 1789253187. ISBN/EAN: 9781789253184. Dewey Code: 948.022. The photos provided are of our own book, further photos may be arranged upon request. Inventory No: 084900.
