Gender Roles In Norse Society
In Norse society, roles of men and women were well defined. Each gender had a set of conduct that were expected and the Old Norse word “vikingar” applied to men, usually men who sailed from Scandinavia to far places in their long ships between 800 – 1100 AD.
Like many long – established societies, Vikings at home and overseas were essentially male - dominated. Men did the typical hunting, fighting, trading and farming, while women centered around cooking, caring for the home and raising children.
Most of Viking burials found reflect these traditional gender roles: Men are buried with their weapons and tools, and women with typical household items such as needlework and jewelry.
Women in Viking Age Scandinavia did enjoy a degree of freedom
Like many long – established societies, Vikings at home and overseas were essentially male - dominated. Men did the typical hunting, fighting, trading and farming, while women centered around cooking, caring for the home and raising children.
Most of Viking burials found reflect these traditional gender roles: Men are buried with their weapons and tools, and women with typical household items such as needlework and jewelry.
Women in Viking Age Scandinavia did enjoy a degree of freedom