Author: Nils Hybel File Type: pdf In The Nature of Kingship c. 800-1300. The Danish Incident Nils Hybel presents the first comprehensive history of the changeable nature of monarchial power in Danish territories from the Viking Age to the Central Middle Ages. The work offers a pioneering methodological approach entirely based on medieval conceptions on sovereign power. This innovative approach involves contemporary ideas, not modern notions of power and kingship, being used to undertake the analysis. The Danish Incident is therefore integrated within the European context.Kingship experienced a profound transformation during the half millennium investigated. A royal genealogy and strong bonds with Christian institutions were established in the late eleventh century. In the middle of the twelfth century the Danish realm was united, followed by the final liberation from German hegemony and the expansion of the realm with German and Slavic fiefs in the late twelfth century. At the same time, with the first signs of taxation, legislation, law enforcement and the notion of a national, military force, kings began the transition from warlords to medieval kingship. With stirrings of constitutionalism from 1241 onwards, this development of a national, medieval, kingdom intensified, though by c. 1300 the kingdom had not yet reached the point of total sovereign power.

Author: Miguel Sicart File Type: pdf What do we think about when we think about play? A pastime? Games? Childish activities? The opposite of work? Think again If we are happy and well rested, we may approach even our daily tasks in a playful way, taking the attitude of play without the activity of play. So what, then, is play? In Play Matters, Miguel Sicart argues that to play is to be in the world playing is a form of understanding what surrounds us and a way of engaging with others. Play goes beyond games it is a mode of being human. We play games, but we also play with toys, on playgrounds, with technologies and design. Sicart proposes a theory of play that doesnt derive from a particular object or activity but is a portable tool for being--not tied to objects but brought by people to the complex interactions that form their daily lives. It is not separated from reality it is part of it. It is pleasurable, but not necessarily fun. Play can be dangerous, addictive, and destructive. Along the way, Sicart considers playfulness, the capacity to use play outside the context of play toys, the materialization of play -- instruments but also play pals playgrounds, play spaces that enable all kinds of play beauty, the aesthetics of play through action political play -- from Maradonas goal against England in the 1986 World Cup to the hactivist activities of Anonymous the political, aesthetic, and moral activity of game design and why play and computers get along so well.**ReviewPlay Matters opens a door into our increasingly playful world. It frames the world of play and playfulness just enough to create a coherent image of these fundamental forces, without spoiling the fun. It opens a way into this world, inviting the reader to engage, creatively and intelligently, in the design of an even more playful future.(Bernard De Koven, author of The Well-Played Game and A Playful Path) Play is undoubtedly the most important part of any creative process in fact it is the creative process. Miguel Sicart shows time and time again why play is something that must be taken seriously, why it leads to better, more beautiful, more considered work, and ultimately why play does indeed matter.(Brendan Dawes, designer, brendandawes.com) In Play Matters, Sicart shares with us a fascinating toy chest full of concepts, ideas, and observations on the most elusive subject in game studies.(Gonzalo Frasca, ORT University Uruguay) Play Matters is a succinct but provocative addition to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Presss Playful Thinking book series.(American Journal of Play) About the Author Miguel Sicart is Associate Professor at the Center for Computer Game Research at IT University Copenhagen. He is the author of The Ethics of Computer Games and Beyond Choices The Design of Ethical Gameplay, both published by the MIT Press. What do we think about when we think about play? A pastime? Games? Childish activities? The opposite of work? Think again If we are happy and well rested, we may approach even our daily tasks in a playful way, taking the attitude of play without the activity of play. So what, then, is play? In Play Matters, Miguel Sicart argues that to play is to be in the world playing is a form of understanding what surrounds us and a way of engaging with others. Play goes beyond games it is a mode of being human. We play games, but we also play with toys, on playgrounds, with technologies and design. Sicart proposes a theory of play that doesnt derive from a particular object or activity but is a portable tool for being--not tied to objects but brought by people to the complex interactions that form their daily lives. It is not separated from reality it is part of it. It is pleasurable, but not necessarily fun. Play can be dangerous, addictive, and destructive. Along the way, Sicart considers playfulness, the capacity to use play outside the context of play toys, the materialization of play -- instruments but also play pals playgrounds, play spaces that enable all kinds of play beauty, the aesthetics of play through action political play -- from Maradonas goal against England in the 1986 World Cup to the hactivist activities of Anonymous the political, aesthetic, and moral activity of game design and why play and computers get along so well.**