Monasticism in North-Western Europe, 800–1200

'...the book renders a great service to those whose unfamiliarity with the Northern world has until now led them to omit it from their consideration.' English Historical Review '... an important study which covers new ground.... a point of reference for all further work on the subject...the author...has done a remarkable job in bringing together a tremendous amount of data...' American Benedictine Review '... a very necessary synthesis... In this excellent work one finds much valuable information...' Revue d'Histoire Ecclesiastique '... presents a clear view of monastic development in northern Europe before 1200... skillful use of archaeology... This is a highly satisfying book that will be a standard work of reference on northern monasticism for many years to come.' The Catholic Historical Review 'Nyberg's book is a pioneering work and as such extremely valuable. He has not only synthesized an enormous number of discrete studies of individual communities but has firmly tied the history of monasticism to the development of the practice of Christianity and the political history of the Scandinavian lands... he offers rich comparative material to a wide scholarly community.' Speculum 'The great value of this work not only lies in the [...] data concerning the various monasteries, but also in the situation of the foundation and potential reform of each monastery in a global ecclesial and political context.' Analecta Praemonstratensia

• The monastic geography of North-Western Europe: The regions; Communications; Early monasticism among Frisians and Saxons: The Frisians; The Saxons; The archbishops’ options; Eleventh-century monasticism: Eastern Denmark: The period 1020-1100; Zealand and the diocese of Roskilde; The two Scania dioceses; Eleventh-century monasticism: Funen and Jutland: Funen and the diocese of Odense; The three new dioceses of Jutland; Eleventh-century monasticism: Norway and Sweden: Norway; Sweden; Eleventh-century monasticism: Saxony, Slesvig, Ribe; The great period: civil war I: The spirit of the epoch: revenge and penitence; The alternative: disinterested prayer; The great period: civil war II: Monasticism in times of threat; The Danish model in Sweden; The Danish model in Norway?; The great period: civil war III; The Valdemarian age I: 1157 and the coming of competition: Summing up: kings in the secular church and the monasteries; Bishops and monasteries; The new interpretation: peace and tension; Danish kingship and the new interpretation; Swedish kingship and monasticism; The Valdemarian age 2: movements among monks: The history of ’The Precious Island; ’ Repeated patterns?; New moves in Sweden; Women and the monastic option; The Valdemarian age 3: sons and daughters of St. Augustine; The Valdemarian age 4: peripheria and conclusion: Among the Obodrites and Pomeranians; Among the Frisians; Conclusion; Appendix: development of Cistercian foundations in Denmark