Matthew Edwards
Insights from laws and legal codes into economic development and the challenges to trade in early Medieval northern Europe
Supervisors
Professor Alexandra Sanmark, Professor Stefan Brink
Research Abstract
With the recent increase in the availability of translations of early Medieval laws and legal codes (notably from Scandinavia), there is the an opportunity to exploit these and previously available legal material to draw assessments with regard to economic development and trade, in particular: examining what commonalities in terms of subjects or themes between the various laws are present; assessing what they can show about the challenges to trade across northern Europe; and shedding light on early Medieval economic development and economic life in the pre-feudal, pre-capitalist era.
The general objective therefore is to try and shed some light on the rules (both legal and economic) that governed early Medieval trade and economic life. Can an examination of the laws provide any insight with regard of the models of economic development that have been proposed for early Medieval northern Europe? How do they fit with the various homo economicus motivations and modes that have been suggested in previous studies?
The geographical and chronological scope of this study is still under refinement, but may include:
1. Denmark: Valdemar’s Law of Zealand, Erik’s Law of Zealand, the Law of Jutland, the Scanian Law
2. Iceland: Grágás, Jónsbók, Járnsíða
3. Norway: Borgarthing Law, Eidsivathing Law, Frostathing Law, Gulathing Law
4. Sweden: the Götaland laws (Older Västergötland Law, the Younger Västergötland Law, the Östergötland Law, the Småland Law (partial)) the Svealand laws (the Uppland Law, the Södermanland Law, the Västmanland Law, the Hälsingland Law, the so-called Dalarna Law), and the Gotland Law.
5. Russia: legal aspects within the Russian Primary Chronicle.
6. France, Low Countries, Germany: collective body of the Leges Barbarorum from Code of Euric (c.480) through Merovingian and Carolingian period, notably the Lex Visigothorum and Lex Frisionum.
Short Biography
Matthew Edwards is a part-time PhD student at the Institute of Northern Studies. He is based in Vienna, Austria. Before starting his PhD, he completed an MLitt in Viking Studies at UHI, following on from his previous MA in War Studies from King’s College, London, and BA (Hons) in History from the University of York. Professionally, Matthew works as an analyst and consultant with over 20 years of experience focused on security affairs, political risk, and international development. Prior to the private sector, he previously worked in the UK Civil Service, including for the UK Ministry of Defence. He has authored numerous articles, reports, and papers for governmental, business, and public audiences, including on themes such as resource politics, counter terrorism, and state and policy development. He has presented at conferences, workshops, and seminars to a wide range of audiences.
Related links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-edwards99/