The Bodil-Family and Saint Peter's Abbey in Naestved: A Close-up on Politics, Kinship and Religion in 12th Century Denmark

Abstract

This study addresses issues of politics, kinship, property, inheritance, religion and gender. It seeks to show how the interplay of these elements shaped the social, political and religious landscapes of early medieval Denmark. At the core is one particular elite family, the Bodil-family, and their family-monastery, Saint Peter’s Abbey in the town of Næstved in the southern part of the island of Zealand. As result the intricate relations between religion and politics are revealed, as well as the opportunities and challenges presented to elite women.