There are also indications that Vikings practiced polygamy, which in their highly stratified society would have meant that poorer unmarried men might have had limited access to women, and would have targeted female slaves as concubines (or even wives).
Marriage And Other Forms Of Cohabitation
Sagas and runic inscriptions show that families were formed by monogamous marriages. A man may have had relationships, and children, with several women, but when he died, only one wife was acknowledged.
There is no record of Vikings sharing their wives.
If anything, the available evidence suggests that Viking men of high status often had several female partners apart from their wives. This left low-ranking Viking men at a disadvantage when securing partners for themselves.
Viking men usually had only one wife. However, the wealthiest Vikings also often had multiple mistresses who resided in their homes along with their offspring. While Vikings' wives led the household, mistresses had limited rights, including the freedom to move out unless they were slaves.
For this point in history, however, Viking women enjoyed a high degree of social freedom. They could own property, ask for a divorce if not treated properly, and they shared responsibility for running farms and homesteads with their menfolk. They were also protected by law from a range of unwanted male attention.
Vikings were known for their excellent hygiene.
Excavations of Viking sites have turned up tweezers, razors, combs and ear cleaners made from animal bones and antlers. Vikings also bathed at least once a week—much more frequently than other Europeans of their day—and enjoyed dips in natural hot springs.
Viking women married young—as early as 12 years old. By the age of 20, virtually all men and women were married.
Homosexuality was not tolerable among women but it was tolerable as long as a man preserves his masculinity and is not the argr or sorðinn one. Evidence from the sagas and law codes show that there was homosexuality in the Vikings.
Yes. A married high-ranking Viking could at least have one “frilla” friþla, or several if he was rich, that was an official mistress or a concubine with certain statutory rights. Children with a “frilla” were most often recognized and had limited inheritance rights.
Legends tell us that Ragnar – son of King Sigurd Hring – had three wives, the third of whom was Aslaug, who bore him sons Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, all three of whom would grow greater in stature and fame than he.
On the other hand, women were respected in Norse society and had great freedom, especially when compared to other European societies of that era. They managed the finances of the family. They ran the farm in their husband's absence. In widowhood, they could be rich and important landowners.
Eiginmaður/eiginkona = Husband/wife. Often shortened to maður and kona, and in these short forms even couples that are only dating may sometimes use them.
There are also indications that Vikings practiced polygamy, which in their highly stratified society would have meant that poorer unmarried men might have had limited access to women, and would have targeted female slaves as concubines (or even wives).
A typical couple probably had 2 or 3 living children at any one time. Few parents lived to see their children marry. And fewer lived to see their first grandchild. Three generation families were rare.
The most typical grounds for divorce were, however, sudden poverty in the man's family or violence on the part of the husband. If a man struck his wife three times she could demand a divorce. Female infidelity was punished hard, whilst men were able to bring various mistresses into the home.
But women in Viking Age Scandinavia did enjoy an unusual degree of freedom for their day. They could own property, request a divorce and reclaim their dowries if their marriages ended.
The Viking reputation as bloodthirsty conquerors has endured for more than a millennium but new research shows that some Norsemen approached the British islands with more than a little trepidation.
Valkyries and shield-maidens, like the strong women of the sagas, are met with admiration, though not as paragons of femininity. As this article argues, these figures are best understood as a third gender—a hybrid of masculine and feminine characteristics that were dominant during the time period explored.
WOMEN AS VALKYRIES AND SHIELD-MAIDENS
Women that fought were in the Norse literature called vakyries or shield-maidens (skjoldsmøyer). There were several kinds of female warriors.
The bras were often made of metal and until now scientists had thought they were used as collar-bone protection. But it is now clear these pads were worn much further down by female Vikings, according to the work in Birka, Sweden's oldest Viking centre.
Description: The waterlogged areas of the excavation at Whithorn uncovered preserved 'sheets' of moss, which had been discarded. Closer analysis revealed them to be studded with fragments of hazel nut shells, and blackberry pips.
Viking teeth were often subject to a great deal of wear, which is largely attributed to their diet. Study of the skeletal remains of Vikings has also shown evidence that they suffered from periodontal disease and tartar buildup.
On the series, Vikings Bjorn Ironside is depicted as having five wives although this is not supported by any historical facts or documents.
Her name as recorded by Saxo, Lathgertha, is likely a Latinisation of the Old Norse Hlaðgerðr ([ˈhlɑðˌɡerðz̠]; also Hlathgerth). It has also been recorded as Lagertha, Ladgertha, Ladgerda or similar.
Lagertha was Ragnar's first wife, nothing can really top the first marriage. She was Ragnar's first real love, and it seems that they had fallen out only because Ragnar wanted more children that Lagertha couldn't give him.