Nordenfjells

The management of Norway in the Middle Ages depended on the respective structures of domination.

Prehistory

In the last millennium BC, the society was highly oriented to South Scandinavia along the coast of northwestern Norway. She had agriculture integrated to varying degrees in their economy and additionally signaled its " southern " connection including through the Risvik ceramic ( Norway) and by grave mound. Probably these companies were also marked by an increasing hierarchy. In the centuries after the turn of time, the farming economy solidified. Other processes of social stratification in the recent Roman times and in the Migration Period ( 200-600 AD) resulted in hierarchically organized chiefdoms the dominant form of society in the coastal societies as far north as southern Troms and Central Norrland was. The rule was based on a redistributive economy, that is, the chief legitimized his rule in that it further divided the duties which he took to his clientele. The dominions were limited to the coastal region. The inland, the area of the seeds.

The contrast " we - the other " had a geographical and economic component, which had been for many generations in a relatively lashed limit where you could sit down as Norrøn, institutionalized. This spiritual discipline of " geographical behavior " can also be consolidated inhabited by ideas about the land of the " other " as dangerous or evil powers and justified. To go to the " wasteland " in the fjord or inland, was named the world safe to leave, which was characterized by the court and the cultivated land.

In the Sámi areas of Norway, the rule was divided among the clans and largely egalitarian according to the interpretation of archaeological finds. This applies both to the Seesamen on the coast as well as the nomadic hunters communities of the inland.

Middle Ages

Beginning

Gradually with Harald Hårfagre began centralizing tendency. The king was assisted by the " Lendr Madr ". These were by a few particularly powerful landowners who were assigned by the king or by a Jarl estates. But their power was based - unlike in feudalism - on their own land.

12th century, the term " Sysle " for an administrative district has been introduced. The division into sýsla was performed under King Sverre. There were 50 sýsla different sizes. It also has a new office organization was created, and with it a new nobility of office was the " Sysselmänner ". They ordered for her district "Lens Men". By the time feudalisierte this nobility, and by the time the Landslov by King Magnus lagabætir 1273 this process was largely completed and the Sysselmann a royal administrator, who also raised the royal duties. He exercised police powers and the duties of a Kronvogtes. He was also commander of the Leidangsmiliz in his district. This abundance of power soon provoked opposition. King Hwkon V. succeeded in 1308, this concentrated power position and pulled the crown lands again. In place of an administrative organization entered following the example of England. She was in three stages: Lensherr, and Vogt ( farmers ) lens man. The bailiff was under the Lehnherr. As the lord disappeared later, the bailiff was an important link in the royal administration. He was responsible on behalf of the king for justice and law. He often delegated to the vassal.

With respect to the inhabited by seed inland came in the 13th century, the institution of " sovereignty ", which was connected to pay tribute.

In addition to the royal administration, there was also an episcopal administration of the church Bezitztümer, unless they were in the monastery property. It was perceived by the Setesvein on behalf of the bishop.

Late Period

In the Middle Ages until the end of the 18th century, Norway had an administrative division into " Nordafjelske Norge " and " Sønnafjelske Norge ". This demarcation was an important division in the 15th century and during the Reformation. The Norwegian Imperial Council was divided in the last period of its existence into two bodies, namely in the " Imperial Council Nordanfjells " and the " Imperial Council Sunnanfjells ". Each of the two met for himself and the king and other corresponded with them separately. Both parts of the country also had their own governor; Olav Galle 1525 is referred to as " Staets holdher søndenfieldtz i Norge " and Henrik Krummedike is as governor " Söndanfjels ". During the Reformation, the terms " Nordafjels " and " Sønnafjels " came into general use.

In 1500 Lindesnes also called the southern limit. But usually was quite expected Agder (now divided in Aust -Agder and Vest- Agder ) for Sønnafjelske Norge. During the period of absolutism and Struensee included Nordanfjellske Norge also Vestlandet down to Åna - Sira. " Sønnafjelske Norge " lay to the south of Dovre and east of Langfjell. The administrative capital for " Nordafjelske Norge " was Bergen, for " Sønnafjelske Norge " Oslo. In the population, the Dovre was later regarded as the boundary between the two territories, a relatively young organization. The border between the two territories was based in the 19th century, roughly at the 60th parallel.