What documentaries overlook about viking women

Contrary to the image of a society entirely dominated by men, Viking women enjoyed rights that were surprisingly advanced for the time.

They could:

– own land,

– manage property,

– take part in the “thing” assemblies,

– divorce,

– recover their dowry in case of separation.

At a time when most European women were under guardianship, the Scandinavians granted them remarkable independence, as evidenced by Norse laws and Icelandic archives.

Documentaries rarely mention the spiritual power of women. Yet the völvas, prophetesses and shamans, held a central role.

They:

– guided rituals,

– led sacred ceremonies,

– delivered prophecies,

– advised leaders.

Their authority was such that they sometimes traveled from village to village to practice seiðr, an ancient form of magic associated with fertility, destiny, and healing.

When men left for expeditions that sometimes lasted several months, women took on the full management of the farm—and sometimes the defense of the household.

Historical sources show that some took up arms during:

– attacks,

– sieges,

– invasion attempts.

Their role therefore did not stop at the domestic sphere: they protected their community.

The idea of an exclusively male viking society is largely a later construction.
Why?
Because for centuries, historians interpreted graves and artifacts through a masculine lens.

Yet recent DNA analyses have revealed that several graves of great warriors… actually belonged to women.

These discoveries are transforming our understanding of Norse history.

The “shield-maidens,” those warrior women of the sagas, were long considered mythological figures.
But science now offers a more nuanced view:

– Yes, female fighters did exist, as confirmed by certain graves and accounts.

– But most primarily took part in local defense.

Modern studies encourage us to look beyond the spectacular imagery to understand the political, social, and spiritual influence of viking women.

Some women represented their clan during assemblies and negotiations. They could:

– bring forward petitions,

– influence alliances,

– defend family interests,

– pass on land and inheritance,

– play an essential diplomatic role, especially when they were widows or landowners.

Their voice mattered in intertribal discussions—a reality largely absent from documentaries.

Viking women were at the heart of children’s education. They passed on:

– practical knowledge for daily life,

– social values,

– Norse mythology,

– sagas and foundational stories.

They were the guardians of cultural identity, ensuring family cohesion and the preservation of traditions.

Thanks to archaeology, genetics, and the reinterpretation of ancient sources, the image of Viking women is changing.
They now appear as:

– economic pillars,

– political figures,

– spiritual leaders,

– educators,

– defenders,

– and sometimes warriors.

Far from the cliché of the passive woman, their role reflects a society that was more balanced and complex than previously imagined.