Svenskar, västgötar eller vassbölingar? Föreställda gemenskaper bland allmogen under stora nordiska kriget

Abstract

This study examines imagined communities at the grassroots level during the Great Northern War of 1700-1721. A specific district is studied is under investigation: the inland area of Vadsbo district in Skaraborg county. Previous studies has mainly focused on the perspective of the ruling class which makes the subject relatively unexplored at the grassroots level. The theoretical framework for the study is based on Benedict Andersons theory of imagined communities, where the research field concerning early modern period is divided mainly into two interpretations. On one hand there is the regnal interpretation that refers to a political and legal imagined community with the king, the real and its laws. On the other hand there is an ethnic interpretation of pre- modern thinking about collective identities, which refers to an imagined cultural community with and associated common historical origin and distinct folk culture in an imagined homeland. The study addresses questions about which imagined communities emerge on national, regional, and local levels among common people, and in which situation various perceptions are activated. Concepts such as loyalty, respect, and boundaries are also discussed. To answer the purpose of the thesis, court and commission protocols as well as letters from govenors have been used as source materials. These sources can provide insights into the common people's mindset during the early modern period. The study finds similarities and differences with previous research on the subject. National identity was relatively weak among the commoners in Vadsbo district, particularly in relation to regional communities such as county, province or district identities. The study finds limited evidence for the ethnic interpretation in examination of communities at the national level. Other identities such as county, district or parish identities seemed to be more prominent among the commoners in Vadsbo district rather than national identity. Multiple imagined communities seem to have coexisted among the commoners of Vadsbo district during the early modern period. The study contributes new findings and theories that further complicate the elusive subject of imagined communities at the grassroots level.