The Hidden Lives of Viking Women: Archaeological and Historical Perspectives Paperback – March 21, 2025

Analyzes the lives, roles, and experiences of Viking women, highlighting their societal contributions through interdisciplinary perspectives.This edited volume brings together an international group of scholars to address the lives, roles, myths, mythology, and lived experiences of Viking women as well as the impacts of change on women during the turbulent period of the Viking Age. Through interdisciplinary perspectives, this is a book dedicated to the lesser-known aspects of women’s lives as active members of society. It provides an innovative way of bringing together work from archaeological, anthropological, historical, and literary perspectives to address questions about women in trade, in war, in magic, in the household and activities that provided women with power and respect in their communities.Table of Contents1. IntroductionMichèle Hayeur Smith, Alex Sanmark and Kevin P. Smith2. Aspects of violence connected to women in the Old Norse legal systemsAnne Irene Riisøy3. Migrants, conquerors, settlers: Viking women in BritainShane McLeod4. Women in trade and exchangeUnn Pedersen5. Women as partners – gender balance and cooperation in the Viking Age householdAlex Sanmark and Tara Athanasiou6. Choosing the hero: drink and the institutionalization of heroismKaren Bek-Pedersen7. The housewife and cult leader Friðgerðr Þorðardóttir in Viking Age IcelandOlof Sundqvist8. The Völva’s toolkit: Viking Age ritual specialists and the tools of their tradeLeszek Gardeła9. Women’s Textile Magic in Viking Age IcelandMichèle Hayeur Smith Read more