Christianisation and state-formation in Northern and Central Europe c.900-c.1200

We analysed the connection between religious change (Christianisation) and political change (the development of centralised power) in Scandinavia, Central Europe and Rus'. In all these areas the final conversion to Christianity was initiated from above. Yet there were also significant differences between the regions in how Christianisation and monarchy were linked. We composed a detailed questionnaire and included history, archaeology and art history in our analysis. Our aims were to compare the various areas, looking at both the primary sources and the national literature. We summarised previous research, highlighting the uncertainties that pertain to the sources. Instead of creating a smooth narrative, we wished to draw attention to the tenuous nature of many previous explanations. By looking at these issues in a comparative and interdisciplinary way, we also wished to go beyond previous explanatory frameworks.