Rough, tough and brutish, when you picture a Viking, you’ll more than likely think of a huge and hulking great big beast, overcome with bloodlust, capable of enormous violence. What you won’t think of is a thoughtful, sensitive and caring type who’s just as concerned with the thoughts and feelings of women as he is with conquering new terrains and viciously slaughtering his enemies.
In fact, the Vikings - compared to everyone else - were veritable feminists. Here are just some of the ways that they lead an early charge in affording women greater rights...
THERE WAS A RELAXED ATTITUDE TO FAMILIAL EXPECTATIONS
UNHAPPY WIVES WERE ALLOWED TO DIVORCE THEIR HUSBANDS
WOMEN COULD BECOME RICH, POWERFUL AND HIGH STATUS
WOMEN WERE ALLOWED TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE MEN
THE LAW OFTEN PROTECTED WOMEN’S RIGHTS
THAT WHOLE ‘RAPING AND PILLAGING’ THING IS FAIRLY INACCURATE
Viking men certainly pillaged. They were ferocious warriors and pitiless when invading and expanding their empire. There’s very little proof, however, that they would commit widespread sexual violence whilst doing so. At least, no more than anyone else.
In fact, many stories of heroism in Norse legend and sagas depict women’s honour being protected and any fabled acts of aggression or sexual assault are generally met with axe whacks to the head.
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