A Textual Historical Analysis of Adam of Bremen's Memory of Pre-Christian Custom

Abstract

The most influential document depicting the Pre-Christian custom in Europe is by far Adam of Bremen’s Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum. The Gesta functions as a historical narrative documenting the achievements of the archbishop of Bremen and is not meant to act as a report for the Pre-Christian material. The reliability of the descriptions of Saxon, Slavic, and Norse customs are called into question due to how Adam constructed this information. Adam’s use of literary and oral sources as well as his own personal biases which heavily distort, or even possibly even invent these depictions. Previous research concerning Adam’s use of source material overwhelmingly focuses on the Nordic rites at the temple of Uppsala. This is problematic, as Adam saw all the pagan religions as belonging to the same belief system, so it is necessary to also review the Saxon and Slavic material to have a greater understanding of how he interacted with his sources to create these descriptions. This research was conducted on a case-by-case basis, closely reading the three primary Pre-Christian descriptions of the Saxon, Slavic, and Norse peoples. Each study considered the historical context and Adam’s relationship with these groups. The source material Adam had at his disposal was analyzed to consider literary equivalents which he used to create the Gesta. The possibilities of oral sources were also investigated. This thesis concludes that Adam used the sources available to him to present a certain type of reality of the Pre-Christian custom which suited his narrative best. All the descriptions act as a foil to Christianity to further gratify the accomplishments of the Archbishops of Bremen. Although this bias is clear, there are still possibilities of true information within these descriptions.