Повседневно-практические тексты в средневековой Скандинавии и Древней Руси

Abstract

The paper is focused on the comparative study of Scandinavian everyday runic texts (inscribed on wooden rods, bones, and other cheap materials) dated back the end of 11–14th centuries (of which most were found in Bergen) and old Russian birch bark manuscripts dd. 11–15th centuries (originated mainly from Novgorod). The authors compare diverse types and varieties of documents as well as their share in both text corpuses. While they are rather similar in general, there are a number of essential differences, the major of which is the almost complete lack of business documents in the Scandinavian materials, abundantly available in Novgorod. The authors explain this fact in the context of both various origins of the everyday writing in Scandinavia and Rus’ (pre-Christian and “personal” origins of runic writing vs. the essential role of Christianity and princely power in the development of writing within Rus’) and diverse historical conditions in medieval Bergen and Novgorod (in Novgorod, in contrast to Bergen, communications with the extensive peripheral territories played a significant role).