Researching the Portrayal of Jews in Medieval Denmark and Sweden
10.1515/9783110634822.Abstract
This article on researching the portrayal of Jews in medieval Denmark and Sweden argues for the importance of the period for understanding the breadth, nuances, and history of anti-Jewish stereotypes in Scandinavia. I discuss the rather scant previous research on Jews in Old Danish and Old Swedish (East Norse) literature and medieval art. The lack of scholarship is somewhat surprising given the volume of sources available and the many types of investigation they invite. I suggest a number of themes - the question of absent-presence, the role of the Church, and the medieval legacy - that could prove fruitful for future research and provide questions and suggestions for how to approach the material.
