Viking Magazine - Jul/Aug 2024 - 17

patriarchal. Th e husband had the fi nal say,
for instance, when deciding whether and
whom their children were to marry.
Th is type of arranged or pragmatic marriage
would meet very little understanding
in present-day Norway. Today's laws state
that individuals under 18 years of age cannot
marry. Neither can relatives. Looking back
at the history of marriage, it is important
to bear in mind that people in earlier times
were more interdependent than today.
It seems fair to assume that also the concept
of " happiness " had a somewhat diff erent
meaning back then. Much indicates that life
at the time was a project in which the goal
was to survive. While we should not underestimate
these people's need for love, there was
also joy associated with a good catch or hunt,
rich harvests and a healthy family.
One of the greatest art treasures in Norway is the painting
" Brudeferd i Hardanger, " or " Th e Bridal Procession in Hardanger, "
by Adolph Tidemand and Hans Gude from 1848. Th is
year's epic bridal procession will take place on another Norwegian
fj ord. Princess Märtha Louise's " I do " will echo through
the steep mountainsides of the Geiranger, a fj ord described
by Her Majesty Queen Sonja as her favorite. Th e Royal House
reports they are happy the princess has found love again. Her
impending nuptials to American businessman Durek Verrett is
presumably based on sincere romantic feelings. Marriage as an
institution in Norway is a slightly diff erent story.
Ch sing wi  e Heart
Th e most famous love story in Norwegian literature is perhaps
the medieval trilogy about Kristin Lavransdatter. For her trilogy
of " Th e Wreath, " " Th e Wife " and " Th e Cross, " author Sigrid
Undset was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928.
Undset delved into the depths of medieval people's emotions
to depict their innermost feelings. Christianity and faith are
both at the core of Undset's trilogy. How much is controlled by
God and how much by man? How much should be decided by
family? What is leſt for the individual? Th is includes the question
of love. Th e main character Kristin defi es social norms, dismisses
the man chosen for her and, in the end, follows her heart.
Dad Decides
In medieval Norway, marriage was primarily a pact between
families. Two farms could be joined together, and the property
expanded. In the farming community, a wife would
hold signifi cant power, oſt en assuming responsibility for the
animals, buildings and children. She was also to be consulted
on important matters, but the social model was otherwise
@sonsofnorway
Jul/Aug 2024
17
Midnight Courtship
Although life was sometimes hard and ruthless,
historical treasures show that people
most likely also had a fl ourishing, rich inner
life. It is said that music is the artistic expression
that most easily reaches human emotion.
Looking through Norway's history of
romantic expression, folk music stands out.
Th e tones were used to lull small children to
sleep, calm animals in their stalls and also
attract potential sweethearts.
Th e sociologist Eilert Sundt was among
the fi rst to conduct research on these matters.
Known for his studies in morality and marriage,
Sundt traveled around the Norwegian
PHOTOS PUBLIC DOMAIN ILLUSTRATIONS IRINELLE/ADOBE OPPOSITE ALEXANDER/ADOBE
Viking Magazine - Jul/Aug 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - Jul/Aug 2024
