Home Archive 2023, V. 9, Iss. 2 The Perception of the rus in Hauksbók: the Voice and Silence of Historical Source

The Perception of the rus in Hauksbók: the Voice and Silence of Historical Source

 

DOI: 10.46340/ephd.2023.9.2.1

Vladyslav Kiorsak
Institute of Ukrainian Studies named after I. Krypyakevych of The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine

How to cite: Kiorsak, V. (2023). The Perception of the rus in Hauksbók: the Voice and Silence of Historical Source. European Philosophical and Historical Discourse, 9, 2, 5-14. https://doi.org/10.46340/ephd.2023.9.2.1

 

Abstract

The “Hauksbók” is a valuable source for studying the collective perceptions of Icelanders and the politics of memory in the Norwegian kingdom during the Late Middle Ages. This complex work comprises a collection of texts aimed at promoting the values and scientific frameworks popular in European culture. The author of the book, Haukr Erlendsson, viewed his work as a crucial instrument for political influence. Through his texts, he endeavored to contextualize the histories of Norway and Iceland within a European framework and legitimize the ruling dynasty’s territorial claims. It is essential to analyze the role of Rus and Eastern Europe within the historical paradigm of the “Hauksbók”, The author employed plots that were prevalent in medieval Scandinavian tradition. Therefore, understanding the evolving perception of Rus in different periods and traditions becomes pivotal. Upon examining the texts in the “Hauksbók”, a notable decline in interest in Rus compared to other works becomes evident. The author omitted any mention of Eastern Europe in the context of the myth about Trojan migration, and he also avoided incorporating Eastern European plots while describing the Germanic motifs in “Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks”. Furthermore, Rus is absent in the ’empire’ of Ragnar Lothbrok. This can be attributed to shifts in worldview and the political landscape. The “Hauksbók” bore witness to a transition towards new cultural values and scientific frameworks. The politics of Europeanization resulted in a stronger influence of European authors in the North, leading to a departure from the prominence of Eastern European elements and a focus on the European Catholic paradigm. Additionally, Norwegian kings lacked family ties with the Rurikids, and the territory of Rus suffered significant destruction during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. These factors likely contributed to the diminished interest in these territories during the writing of works that held significant importance for the politics of memory in Norway.
Keywords:Collective memory, Medieval Scandinavia, Rus, Sagas, Hauksbók.

 

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