Dead kings and national myths: why myths of founding and martyrdom are important

Abstract

National myths are useful, even fundamental, in establishing the legitimacy of a given regime. In the European context, states have sometimes had recourse to myths around medieval kings. King Arthur in England, King Olav in Norway, King István (Stephen) in Hungary, and Prince Lazar in Serbia,– all canonized except for the Celtic King, Arthur – have figured in the national myths of their respective countries. Both Olav and Lazar are said to have had visions of heaven the evening before taking their troops into battle, both died resisting Ottoman forces, both are said to have welcome martyrdom, and both, as well as István, have been credited with performing miraculous cures for pilgrims visiting their graves. All four myths were put to political use: The cult of King Arthur, who led the Celts in an effort to stave off invading Angles and Saxons in the late fifth and early sixth centuries, was used to legitimate the rule of the House of Normandy, which came to power by defeating the army of the Saxon king in 1066. The cult of King-Saint Olav (1030) contributed to the strengthening of Christianity and a sense of national consciousness among Norwegians, while the canonization of King István in 1083 play the same dual role among Hungarians. Finally, in Serbia, the promotion of the cult of Prince Lazar (1389), said to have been canonized, was actively promoted during World War Two, and subsequently put to use in the late 1980s and early 1990s to inspire Serbia’s expansionist program.

Keywords

• national myths
• medieval kings
• martyrdom
• battle
• sainthood