The archival scene in early modern Norway

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to offer an overview of Norwegian archival history in the early modern period (1537–1800). European archival history has been characterized by the experience of large and influential countries and little notice has generally been taken of the small nations on the continent’s periphery. This article focuses on the development of archival repositories, archival thinking and user groups in Norway from 1537 to 1800. Norwegian archival history has much in common with the rest of Europe, but also some important distinctive features. The archives were primarily created and preserved out of consideration for legal and administrative need. In Norway, access rights were early and clearly formulated. Extensive appraisals were carried out in the early eighteenth century. Archival records were being explored for historical and cultural purposes from the early sixteenth century and onwards. However, we do not find traces of this within the archival institutions and archival management until the very end of the eighteenth century. The writings of historians and antiquarians, dating from 1500 to 1800, documents the historical and cultural use of archival records and see the archival repositories and institutions from the user perspective.