Saintly heroes - Heroic saints. Interdependences, interrelations and transformations of codes of behaviour and role models during the Scandinavian Early and High Middle Ages

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Bihrer
• Subject Area: Medieval History
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262438436

The project examines how the semantics and forms of expression of saints and heroes are interlocked, using hagiographic texts of the Scandinavian Early and High Middle Ages. In contrast to previous research approaches, the project does not root in the contrast of pagan and Christian respectively lay and clerical spheres. During the Early and High Middle Ages both concepts of "hero" and "saint" were wedded to each other so that no compensation between the cultures, which current researchers understand as being opposed, were needed. This had lasting effects on European culture.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants