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- Title
The Eriksgata in Medieval Sweden c.800-1300: A Political Ritual, a Legal Necessity, or an Identity Marker?
- Authors
Wilhelmsson, Caroline
- Abstract
This article is about the eriksgata, a journey undertaken by a Swedish king-elect across the realm to be confirmed as new leader by the local provincial assemblies. The focus is on the centuries between 800 and 1300, which saw a period of state formation, and important socio-economic and religious developments. The aim of the article is to look at the eriksgata from several perspectives, including as a ritual, but also as a political and diplomatic act. It seeks to answer several questions about the intent behind the tradition, and its practical consequences. In a first section, further details about the eriksgata will be given. Its history and development will be explained, and comparisons will be made with similar traditions in other Germanic kingdoms during the same period. In a second instance, the question of whether the eriksgata should be seen as a ritual and/or religious act, as medieval coronation ceremonies often were, will be addressed. The journey's legal aspect and necessity in enabling a smooth power transition will be scrutinised too. The third part will look at the more concrete role that the eriksgata played in enabling the political minority to have a say in the election of their leader. Following a brief overview of the ancient rules governing the election of kings in medieval Sweden, it will also be suggested that the eriksgata allowed the people outside of Svealand to reaffirm their own ethnic identity. It will be concluded that rather than being a diplomatic effort to unite the realm, the journey could also have served to accentuate regional differences.
- Subjects
SWEDEN; RITES &; ceremonies; FAITH development; RITUAL; REGIONAL differences; STATE formation; ETHNICITY; CORONATIONS
- Publication
Ceræ: An Australasian Journal of Medieval & Early Modern Studies, 2022, Vol 9, p32
- ISSN
2204-146X
- Publication type
Article