Constructing a Saint: The Legend of St Sunniva in Twelfth-Century Norway
Alexander O’Hara
The Irish princess-virgin-martyr St Sunniva is one of the most enigmatic Scandinavian saints. site her martyrdom, island Selja on west coast Norway, became an important monastic and episcopal centre during eleventh century. Towards end twelfth century relics were translated to Bergen, new bishopric, a hagiographical text was written for liturgical use. This article presents reading legend based wider hagiographical, political, ecclesiastical contexts in which it developed. It argues that legend, drawing from continental tradition attributing origins obscure saints, sought forge identity bishopric Bergen its royal environment.
Viking and Medieval Scandinavia