Course content

The cult of saints was an important element in Christian faith. By their death, the saints ended up in heaven close to God, and could accordingly pray for human beings. The cult of saints expresses itself in many different connections. Churches and alters were dedicated to saints, in alters there should also be relics of one or more saints. People had to celebrate a lot of holydays, with restrictions on work, food and drink consumption etc. In this course the Norwegian saints Olav (his shrine in the Nidaros Cathedral was the most important pilgrimage destination in Norway), Hallvard and Sunniva are placed in an international context.

The course will give the students insight in different kinds of sources that can shed light on the cult of saints in Norway in the Middle Ages. Central goals will be to find the reasons why some saints became immensely popular and how the saint cult is manifested in an international context.

Learning outcome

Give the students insight in different type of courses that can shed light on saints cult in Norway in the Midle Ages.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and excursion

Compulsory assignments

• Home assignment/Oral presentation

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

BA

Course materials

Syllabus