Perspectives on Power: A study of the political landscape on the North West coast of Norway in the Viking period

Abstract

The thesis illustrates the political power structure on the North West coast of Norway during the Viking period. This area of Norway has been less focused on concerning political power as both Trondheim and the West coast are seen as more powerful centres. By using three different types of sources, the sagas, archaeological sources and the laws, the thesis shows how there are different perspectives on how the political landscape can be viewed. The sagas and the laws show how the kings and the farmers were powerful, especially since the laws focused on giving rights to the farmers. Archaeological sources, however, show that Viking society was built up by centres where the chieftains ruled. By comparing and contrasting the sources, I attempt to demonstrate how these different views are either complementary or mutually exclusive.