Project description
The role of Scandinavian heritage in shaping British identity
In the 18th century, the British Isles developed a national identity and independent cultural artefacts by exploring vernacular literary traditions. Norse tradition is believed to have played a role in this process. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the DEATHRIT project explores how Norse language and imagery shaped ‘Britishness’ in the 18th century. It examines how British nations used Scandinavian heritage to affirm their cultural identity. The project establishes a new approach to the body politic metaphor, considering death and rituals in nation-building. To offer a fresh perspective, the project analyses select 18th-century British antiquarian poetry, essays, plays, travel literature, and periodic reviews related to Scandinavian-inspired death and ritual.
Objective
DEATHRIT aims to examine how language and imagery, borrowed from Norse tradition, contributed to shaping the concept of 'Britishness' in the eighteenth century. This was a period when the British Isles were establishing emergent ideas of national identity and independent cultural artefacts by seeking vernacular literary traditions. Through a historical-contextual analysis of British texts, DEATHRIT examines how British nations used ideas of historical and ethnic heritagespecifically that of Scandinavia and Icelandto affirm or transform their own cultural identity during the eighteenth century. The project objectives are as follows:
1. To situate eighteenth-century texts about Britains perceived heritage in Norse culture in relation to ongoing conversations concerning Britains relationship with Europe.
2. To demonstrate that the appropriation and mediation of ancient Scandinavian death imagery was an important vehicle for conceptualising British identity during the eighteenth century.
3. To establish a new approach to the body politic metaphor, one that accounts for death and death rituals as part of the function or dysfunction of a nation state.
With these objectives, DEATHRIT aims to build on existing work within the fields of Eighteenth Century Studies and Norse Reception Studies. In doing so, it will establish the role of cross-historical and cross-cultural exchange, specifically with Scandinavia, within Britain's identity and nation-building process. It will draw on the theoretical fields of Disability Studies and Death Studies to provide an innovative framework to view the body politic metaphor. By reviewing select eighteenth-century British antiquarian poetry, essays, plays, travel literature, and periodical reviews concerning Scandinavian-inspired death and ritual, DEATHRIT will establish Scandinavia's role in developing Britain's body politic on a local and European stage.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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