The viking women who disappeared

[icymist]

Women played an important part in Viking Age society, and their role far exceeded that of mother and the “housewife”. Why, then, are they barely mentioned in the history books?

“The standard specialist literature within the field is pervaded with Viking expeditions, kings, weapons, and battles,” says Viking researcher Nanna Løkka.

“If women are mentioned at all they are placed within an everyday context, with children, handicraft and domestic life. Thus, when the characteristics of the Viking Age are described, women are either left out completely, or they are given their own little paragraph, as they appear neither very exciting nor spectacular.”

In the recently published anthology Kvinner i vikingtid (“Viking Age Women”), 16 women and one man challenge this standard saga inspired account of the early Norwegian Middle Ages, which is characterised by raiding kings and chieftains. Løkka has edited the book in collaboration with Nancy Coleman.
http://sciencenordic.com/viking-women-who-disappeared

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

1. Icymist, thanks for the link. I'm going to have to read this later tonight

Personally, I have always felt that our female ancestors weren't being given their proper place in history. I'm sure that was thanks to my mom, who had been raised to not take crap from anyone and thanks to that I was always brought up to think that girls could do anything us boys could do.

Mom was an army brat and my Grandmother would tell us stories about the waves mom would make, like during one x-mas party. The army guys had gifts for the kids, doctor kits for the boys and nurse kits for the girls. Apparently my mom made the biggest fuss, turning into a shouting fest between her and the ones handing out the toys. She wanted to be a doctor, and wouldn't take no. They finally gave her one, but only after they made sure that all the boys had gotten one first, which of course pissed her off in and of itself.

Well, I'm rambling on, and unfortunately my head is hurting something fierce, so I've got to take some more meds.

[murielm99]

2. One of my daughter's friends

had a grandmother who played in an all-female professional symphony orchestra. I think it was sometime in the 1930's. This friend wanted to do a history project and paper about the orchestra. The only thing she could find was ONE concert program. This wonderful story was lost because women and their accomplishments were not considered important.

[icymist]

3. Yeah, I've heard that lots of times before.

The times will change, I'm sure of it!