This book is a revised version of my doctoral dissertation which I submitted and defended at the University of Münster in Westfalen, Germany, in 2019. In the process of writing the dissertation and, at a later stage, when preparing its publication, I received encouragement, assistance, and support without which this book would never have seen the light of day.
First, I wish to thank my supervisors in my doctoral studies, Wolfram Drews and Agnes S. Arnórsdóttir, for accompanying me along the way. Through their supervision, I am grateful for having come to know the two academic traditions they represent each in their own way, the German on the one hand and the Scandinavian on the other. In Münster, Wolfram Drews provided me with much freedom to work on my research which challenged me at times but also contributed to my independence as a scholar. In Aarhus, Agnes offered me invaluable support through her active engagement with my work, detailed readings of my text, astute remarks, and constructive criticisms, but last but not least for her encouragement and moral support in the moments when it was needed the most.
I carried out the research for this book within the confines of the Graduate School of the Cluster of Excellence: Religion and Politics at the University of Münster which supplied it with a constructive institutional and academic context and financial support which I am highly grateful for. In the course of my studies in Münster, in lectures, colloquia, research groups and regular meetings with other doctoral students, I came across new ideas and perspectives which contributed to my work in various ways. Most of this book was written in the office in Johannisstraße 1 in Münster, where I was fortunate enough to share working space with people who became my friends: Elke Spiessens and, at a later stage, Nadeem Khan. I am particularly grateful for the special support I received in the Cluster from Rüdiger Schmitt, who was always willing to meet and discuss my concerns, whether they were of academic or practical nature. Special thanks are also due to the administrative staff of the Cluster, especially the coordinators of the Graduate School, Julia Simoleit and Vít Kortus, for their advice and kind support throughout the process.
I am indebted to the Arnamagnæan Commission which funded a three months stay at the Arnamagnæan Institute at the University of Copenhagen, in the early stages of my research. These few months were fruitful and in many ways decisive for the direction my research would later take.
Thanks to the editorial board of Brill’s Northern World series for accepting this volume into their series as well as to Marcella Mulder and Theo Joppe,
At all stages of the project, I have benefited from conversations and exchange with friends and colleagues who have generously given me their time with special thanks going out to Ralf Ahlers, Andra Alexiu, Ólafur Haukur Árnason, Richard Cole, Markus Dreßler, Mitchell Duffy, Ásdís Egilsdóttir, Sigurjón Árni Eyjólfsson, Pétur Hreinsson, Hjalti Hugason, Gottskálk Þór Jensson, Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson, Stefán Einar Stefánsson, and Orri Vésteinsson. My father, Hreinn S. Hákonarson, read through the whole manuscript before I submitted it for defense and Tiffany Nicole White read proofs before publication. For all this help I am very grateful while, naturally, all mistakes the book may contain remain my own.
Since I began my doctoral studies, I have been supported by my family and friends who have made everything easier. My parents, Sigríður and Hreinn, my siblings, Dóra, Jóhanna, and Pétur, my grandmother, Halldóra, my friends, Hermann, Hlöðver, and Sigurður; my heartfelt thanks go out to all of these and many other relatives and friends for their care and steadfast support. Last but not least, I thank Silke for the friendship, for the love, and, of course, for going through all of this with me.
Leipzig, October 10, 2020
Haraldur Hreinsson