Bjørn Bandlien

Bjørn Bandlien is a Professor of History at the Department of Economics, History, and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, specializing in Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia. His research intersects gender, cultural brokerage, and political legitimacy in pre-modern societies.

• Education: Dr. philos. (University of Oslo, 2005)
• Projects: Project member of Viking Nativity: Gjellestad across Borders, associated researcher at Norsk Borgsenter (Vestfoldmuseene)

His scholarly work examines historical methodology, urbanity, identity, and cross-cultural encounters during the Viking Age and Middle Ages. He has lectured extensively on topics including Tønsberg history, crusades, royal power, and the intersection of queenship and literature.

Recent publications focus on themes like cultural exchange in medieval Norway, Muslim representations in Scandinavian sources, and the use of didactic literature for elite legitimation. His research also explores numismatic evidence for kingship and the role of marginality in Icelandic sagas.