Abstract
ABSTRACT The paper examines jurisdictional boundaries in late thirteenth-century town laws from Denmark and Norway, and the agents defining them. Danish towns were distinctly delineated physically and legally, while Norwegian towns had more flexible boundaries, with blurred physical demarcations. The border between burghers and other groups remained porous. Town laws, often overlooked, are analysed as normative frameworks within overlapping systems. The study nuances conventional jurisdictional narratives, highlighting the interaction of territory and people in shaping legal boundaries. By comparing urban jurisdiction in Denmark and Norway, variations in definition and administration are identified. The focus on legal actors illuminates distinctions within urban populations and complexities within towns. The study underscores the dynamic and performative nature of territorial jurisdiction, suggesting divergences may stem from legal actors’ interests, geographical disparities, and population patterns rather than differing legal ideologies or royal power.
Published Version
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