The Low Country saints of the Næstved Calendar

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Abstract

The Næstved Calendar (Copenhagen, Det Kongelige Bibliotek, E don. var. 52 2º), an illuminated manuscript produced at the Benedictine monastery of St Peder at Næstved (also called Skovkloster) ca. 1228–1250, is known for transmitting historical information in the form of the older Næstved annals, as well as information pertaining to various persons related to the community. However, the composition of the calendar which gives the manuscript its name has received little attention. An analysis of the feasts in the calendar reveals a strong influence from the Low Countries, more specifically the areas today covered by Belgium and Northern France, but little to none of the English and German influence usually seen as typical of high medieval Danish calendars. The article proposes two possible explanations for the calendar’s composition: the influence of the Flemish and Northern French connections of the Danish elite in the Valdemar Era (1157–1241), most famously exemplified by members of the Hvide family such as Peder Sunesen (d. 1214), and Næstved’s own contacts, forged through the town’s position as a centre of trade. In both scenarios, the saints’ presence should be seen in the context of greater mobility and increased connections with the continent in the Valdemar Era.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftScandinavian Journal of History
Vol/bind49 (2024)
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)1-31
Antal sider31
ISSN0346-8755
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 14 mar. 2024

Finansiering

This research was funded by The Research Council of Norway under Grant no. 300975. A CC BY or equivalent licence is applied to any Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) version arising from this submission, in accordance with the grant’s open access conditions.

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