Sankt Eriks vrede : Oförrätter, minne och politiska känslor i den senmedeltida Karlskrönikan

• The purpose of this article is to discuss the expression of political emotions and memory in the vernacular rhymed chronicle Karlskrönikan (Karl’s chronicle), written on behalf of the Swedish king Karl Knutsson (Bonde) in the 1450s. Historical studies of emotions and memory have been prominent in the dynamic field of cultural history but more rarely as a combined approach to explore the temporal aspects of emotional expressions. This article focuses attention on the chronicle’s communicative function and the notion that emotions and memory are integral parts in the construction of human experience and validation of power. Expressions of emotion in the chronicle were analysed as scripts, or narrative sequences, and the result shows how emotions appear in clusters of feelings such as wrath, shame, and sorrow. Emotions are instrumental in the characterization and moral evaluation of actors, their actions, and motives. They provide a visual acuity and energy to the narrative that reinforce the memorability of past events. The chronicle’s reference to the wrath of Saint Erik illustrates the complex uses and meanings of wrath in the chronicle. Wrath can be used both as a mark of legitimate power and of uncontrolled envy or lust for power. This is particularly apparent in the chronicle’s attempt to represent Karl Knutsson as a legitimate ruler, who shows emotional restraint and honorable conduct both in dealing with unruly peasants and envious contenders for power.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

emotions

memory

medieval chronicles

history writing

känslor

minne

medeltida krönikor

historieskrivning

Karlskrönikan

Karl Knutsson Bonde

historia

History

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)