CFPs IMC Leeds 2025
Deadline for Paper proposals: September 20th, 2024
Call for Contributions
Deadline for Chapter proposals: March 15th, 2024
HAGIOGRAPHY AND HOLY WRITING IN MEDIEVAL ICELAND AND SCANDINAVA – An Edited Collection
The study of hagiography and biblical texts was the cornerstone of intellectual development in medieval Iceland and Scandinavia. The influence of these Christian texts is evident in the large extant corpus of Old Norse translations, but extends beyond this, touching every aspect of Icelandic and Scandinavian literary culture. Despite their pivotal role, these significant texts have experienced a notable lack of scholarly attention over the past decades. Only recently has a renewed interest emerged, particularly in the helgisögur and biblical texts such as Stjórn. This surge in scholarly curiosity sheds light on the religious and intellectual culture of the Icelandic and Scandinavian middle ages, whilst placing in the spotlight the texts that laid the groundwork for more popular literary works, such as the Icelandic sagas.
On the back of this rising wave of scholarly interest, this volume extends an invitation for chapters that delve into and unravel the significance of hagiography and holy writing in medieval Iceland and Scandinavia. Contributions may focus on diverse aspects, including but not limited to translation, influence, philology, or history. This volume aims to showcase the extraordinary importance of these texts in medieval northern society, elucidating their impact on daily life and their enduring influence on the literature we engage with and study in the present day.
The volume will be proposed to Boydell and Brewer for their Studies in Old Norse Literature series. Chapters should be approximately 7,000-9,000 words in total. Final chapters will be tentatively due in early 2025. Chapter proposals of approximately 300 words should be sent to Natasha Bradley (natasha.bradley@lincoln.ox.ac.uk) and Tiffany Nicole White (tiffany@hi.is) by March 15th, 2024.