Alumni Spotlight: Hans Jacob Orning

The Medieval Mindset: Understanding Today Through the Civil Wars of the Past

“It is very rare to have the opportunity to concentrate so much on one project with a group of people as what CAS allows,” says Hans Jacob Orning, professor of history at the University of Oslo. “For us, I think it would be safe to say that the fruits of CAS are materialising along two lines – the books we produced there, and the spinoffs that only now are starting to pop up.”

In 2017/18, Orning led the project The Nordic "Civil Wars" in the High Middle Ages in a Comparative Perspective at the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) in Oslo, together with his colleague Jón Viðar Sigurðsson. The project brought together scholars from history, political science, law, and anthropology to explore how conflicts and power struggles shaped Nordic societies during the Middle Ages – and what those centuries-old conflicts might reveal about political dynamics today.
 

Rethinking the “Dark Ages”

Much of what we dislike in the modern world – violence, superstition, inequality – is often labelled “medieval.” But for Orning, that label is far too simplistic. His fascination with the Middle Ages stems from its contradictions: a world at once alien and familiar.

“Maybe it’s the period’s ambiguity – being both alien and known – that fascinates me,” he reflects. “As it fascinates millions of young people watching Game of Thrones or Vikings.”

Orning’s passion for the era began early, sparked by childhood encounters with Asterix comics and the popular historian Carl Grimberg. When he began studying at the University of Oslo, medieval history was still seen as the backbone of national identity. Yet for him, the allure was not nationalism but curiosity: “I chose the period much more because it was so fascinating in its alterity,” he says.

That fascination continues to shape his work today. This summer, Orning appeared in NRK’s Norgeshistorie podcast series, helping to challenge the stereotype of the Middle Ages as dark and uncivilised. Instead, he argues, understanding the medieval mindset may help us see ourselves – and our political divisions – more clearly.
 

A Year of Focus and Freedom

For Orning and Sigurðsson, the year at CAS offered something few academics experience: uninterrupted time to think.

“Deciding to apply at CAS was not a difficult decision,” Orning recalls. “This scholarship offers a rare opportunity to work very concentratedly for one year on one project. The short time frame can be a challenge, as it demands efficient organisation, but it also contributes to more focus.”

At CAS, the team examined civil wars not only in the Nordic countries but also in a broader comparative context, drawing parallels to conflicts elsewhere and across time. The mix of disciplines and perspectives proved invaluable.

“It allowed us to work closely with colleagues from other institutions and countries, scholars from political science, anthropology and law, as well as involving our Ph.Ds in the process,” he says. “The numerous formal and informal discussions and the concentrated research I did during the year at CAS gave a veritable kick to the depth of my understanding of our theme.”

The project resulted in two anthologies – the deliverables they had “promised” – but the real impact, Orning notes, unfolded more slowly. “The results of these developments have surfaced during a much longer time-span. CAS sparked the co-writing of a book on war without state together with political scientist Øyvind Østerud, an English monograph on civil wars, and a popular book on civil wars in Norwegian. Thus, the ‘ketchup effect’ from a CAS stay can last for many years.”
 

Lessons from the Past, for the Present

The project’s relevance goes far beyond medieval studies. By examining how societies managed conflict and authority before the rise of modern nation-states, Orning and his colleagues shed light on the persistent patterns of human behaviour that still underpin political violence today.

Working with Østerud – one of Norway’s leading political scientists – helped bridge the gap between medieval history and contemporary conflict studies. “Working on one theme without interruption is very rare in today’s academic world, where we are entrepreneurs more than academics in the old sense of the word,” Orning observes. “Just being in the wonderful localities of CAS gives inspiration, and not little awe.”
 

A Message to Future Project Leaders at CAS

For those considering leading a CAS project, Orning’s advice is clear: passion, people, and perseverance.

“Find a project you are passionate about and that you are sure you will commit yourself to wholeheartedly,” he says. “Practically, find a core group of people you know you will work well with and who are motivated to commit themselves to the project.”

He also emphasises the importance of preparation and follow-up. “Getting people to clean their desk before starting and be willing to finish projects after the CAS period is vital,” he notes. “Some ‘big names’ are good not only for strategic reasons, but also because they can inspire. Most of all: enjoy the time, and know that it will be one of the most intense periods of your life!”
 

Looking Ahead

Years after his stay, Orning’s work continues to demonstrate the lasting value of CAS’s model: time, collaboration, and intellectual freedom. By looking to the distant past, he and his team illuminate questions that remain strikingly contemporary – from the roots of civil strife to the fragile balance between power and legitimacy.

In the end, Orning’s reflections offer both a tribute to the medieval world and a reminder of its enduring relevance. As he puts it, “The fruits of CAS are materialising along two lines – the books we produced there, and the spinoffs that only now are starting to pop up.”