Bordering early modern Europe

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Borders are typically seen as divisions between cultures, languages, and political systems. However, in Antiquity and the Middle Ages, they were viewed more as symbolic areas—contested zones rather than strict separations. The primary characteristic of these borders was contact rather than division. The Early Modern European society experienced significant changes, including the rise of the territorial state, major geographical discoveries, and the advent of modern cartography, which reshaped the understanding of borders. This era marked a transition from a loose concept of borders to a more defined notion of frontiers and spatial divisions. Despite the crystallization of religious, political, and ideological lines during this time, recent scholarship suggests that modern ideas of national frontiers do not entirely apply to the Early Modern period. This volume presents the papers from the conference “Bordering Early Modern Europe,” held in Sofia in March 2013, featuring contributions from nineteen historians. These essays build on previous research regarding European borders in the Early Modern period and offer fresh interpretations and insights into the theme of borders in Europe, paving the way for future exploration in this field.