Invitation, Urban topographies and networks, Bergen 2015

Invitation to the interdisciplinary medieval conference Urban topographies and
networks, Northern Europe 800—1600 in Bergen, Norway, 28—29 May 2015
The research group for medieval studies at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural studies and
Religion (AHKR) at the University of Bergen would like to invite you to the conference Urban topographies
and networks, Northern Europe 800—1600, in Bergen 28—29 May 2015.
The conference will focus on central questions concerning topographies and networks in a wider sense,
related to towns, thing-places and other network relations, as well as the writing of urban history in
Northern Europe in the period 800—1600. These aspects will be discussed in an interdisciplinary context
where archaeologists, historians and other medieval researchers will present new research, from different
approaches and sources. The conference will be held in English.
Practical information
The conference will take place in the auditorium at Bryggens Museum, Dreggsalm. 3 in Bergen (map), and is
open for all.
Registration to Irene.Baug@ahkr.uib.no
Deadline for registration is 15 May. Please note that the seats are limited, and there is no conference fee.
Welcome to an exciting conference in Bergen this spring!
On behalf of the research group of medieval studies:
Leidulf Melve, Geir Atle Ersland, Ingvild Øye, Irene Baug, Terje Breigutu Moseng, Henriette Mikkelsen Hoel
http://www.uib.no/en/rg/medievalstudies
Program
Thursday, 28 May
12:00 Welcome by Leidulf Melve
Transnational perspectives in archaeology and history
12:20 Jørn Øyrehagen Sunde, University of Bergen: A model for reception of law in the Middle Ages
12:40 Andrew Reynolds, University College London: Administrative Networks: Rethinking the
Anglo-Saxon urban trajectory.
13:00 Geir Atle Ersland, University of Bergen: Foreign trade urban hubs
13:20 Discussion + short coffee break
Centers and networks
14:00 Erik Opsahl, NTNU: Lineage was important, connections to powerful men and families even more
important. Social networks as means for Norwegian aristocrats in the Late Middle Ages
14:20 Henriette Mikkelsen Hoel, University of Bergen: Queens and their residential towns
14:40 Marie Ødegård, University of Bergen: Law, cult, politics and competition. Meeting Places in
southeastern Norway
15:00 Stian Hamre, University of Bergen: Immigration and mobility in pre-modern Trondheim
15:20 Discussion
Friday, 29 May
Ecclesiastical networks
9:30 Sveinung Boye, University of Göteborg: "[W]ith all my kinsmen and friends": The political networks of
Norwegian bishops during the civil war period
9:50 Bjørn Bandlien, Buskerud and Vestfold University College: International clerical networks and
intellectual culture in Norway c. 1200—1320.
10:10 Kjartan Hauglid, University of Oslo: Ecclesiastical architecture in Norway – a testimony to continental
influences and networks
10:30 Discussion
Writing urban history
11:00 Leidulf Melve, University of Bergen: The writing of urban history in Bergen
11:20 Jenine de Vries, University of Durham: It's not just about chronicles. Forms of historical writing in late
medieval towns in England and the Low Countries
11:40 Jens Eike Schnall, University of Bergen: Olaus Magnus’ networks of informants
12:00 Discussion