Kurt Villads Jensen

Kurt Villads Jensen is a Professor of Medieval History at Stockholm University's Department of History and serves as Director of the Center for Medieval Studies. He is an active participant in the interdisciplinary Medieval Seminar, where researchers from various disciplines gather to discuss the latest research on the Middle Ages.

Professor Jensen's research focuses on several key areas of medieval history, including crusades and military history, cultural encounters during the Middle Ages, church and theological history, and comparative studies of Nordic and Iberian history. His current projects examine how war was understood and argued in the Middle Ages, particularly during the High Middle Ages; the sacralization of landscapes following military conquests; Baltic Sea crusades from the early 12th century to the Reformation period; and Scandinavian medieval history. His scholarly work investigates the theological foundations of holy war, the transformation of physical environments and mental perceptions following conquest, and the comparative approaches to understanding medieval religious conflicts across different regions of Europe.

Professor Jensen's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on medieval military history, religious conflict, and cultural exchange. His recent works explore Scandinavian crusades, Baltic Sea region history, Christian-Muslim relations, and the theological underpinnings of holy war. His scholarly contributions reveal a particular interest in how religious justification was used for military campaigns, the transformation of landscapes following conquest, and comparative approaches to understanding medieval religious conflicts across different European regions.

As Director of the Center for Medieval Studies and active participant in the Medieval Seminar, Professor Jensen collaborates with researchers across disciplines to advance understanding of the medieval period. His leadership in these academic communities facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue and promotes innovative approaches to medieval studies, bringing together scholars from history, theology, literature, and other fields to examine the complex dynamics of the medieval world.