By Tim Lambert
Viking women had considerable freedom. They could own land and inherit property. They could also divorce their husbands. If their husband was away on an expedition, they were responsible for running the farm.
However, the Vikings captured women and children on their raids and made them slaves. They were sold in markets, and they had no rights. Slaves did the hardest and most unpleasant work.
For Viking women, life centred on the farm and the hearth. They did the cooking and cleaning. Viking women boiled food in an iron cauldron.
The Vikings ate a great deal of bread and porridge. Women baked the bread. They also made butter and cheese. Women also milked the cows.
The Vikings drank beer and mead. However, wine was a luxury, and they rarely drank it. Women were usually responsible for brewing beer and mead.
Viking women spun and wove cloth at home. They also dyed cloth and made the family’s clothes. Women wore a dress-like garment called a shift made of linen or wool. Over it, they wore a dress open at the sides, held with shoulder straps. In cold weather, they wore cloaks or shawls. Clothing was held in place by brooches. Viking women often had their hair plaited or held under a headscarf.
Photo by Paolo Chiabrando on Unsplash