Was it common for Viking women to bare arms and sail the seas during the Viking Age?
☥☽✪☾DAW ☽✪☾
2011/03/22 18:58:11
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The Vikings remind us that over 1000 years ago, there lived a people who were unafraid to move beyond their horizons. While their interactions with the people they encountered were not always peaceful, they did interact with and were changed by these experiences.
WOMEN IN THE VIKING AGE
WOMEN IN THE VIKING AGE
Scandinavian women had a strong position in society
There were great differences between men and women in the Viking Age,
but the Viking women had a stronger position than women elsewhere in
Europe at this time.
According to the laws, women in Scandinavia had more rights than elsewhere in Europe. But they did not have the same rights as men. We must also take into consideration that the laws describe ideal conditions, how things are supposed to be, not what they really are.
A king could become a king, if only his mother was of royal blood.
It was possible for women to inherit land and farm.When a woman married, she brought a dowry with her into the marriage.In case of a later divorce, the women could keep her dowry.if a man was abuisve to his wife she could divorce him or kill him.
If we find rich female burials this ought to be a strong indication that women had a strong position in the society.
The richest burials belong to women between 50 – 60 years old. Thus; the status of women seems to increase with their age.
The most dramatic tale of a female pirate of the Viking Age was of Princess Alvida -
Alvilda was a Danish/Gothic Princess who lived in what is now Sweden.
also known as Alwida and Altilda - daughter of the Swedish king Sypardus.
.
The story goes that Sypardus was so jealous of her suitors that he locked her in a high tower guarded by poisonous snakes. A young man named Alf killed the snakes and stormed the tower, only to find Alvida gone. Her mother had provided her with a ship and helped her escape. Alf vowed to pursue her to the ends of the earth. She captained an all-female crew made up of her serving maids and women of the court. They soon became pirates plundering and raiding merchant ships. According to historians, Alvida was a real historical pirate who sailed the North Atlantic in the 1100s. known as the Red Maiden
Alvilda was a Danish/Gothic Princess who lived in what is now Sweden.
also known as Alwida and Altilda - daughter of the Swedish king Sypardus.
.
The story goes that Sypardus was so jealous of her suitors that he locked her in a high tower guarded by poisonous snakes. A young man named Alf killed the snakes and stormed the tower, only to find Alvida gone. Her mother had provided her with a ship and helped her escape. Alf vowed to pursue her to the ends of the earth. She captained an all-female crew made up of her serving maids and women of the court. They soon became pirates plundering and raiding merchant ships. According to historians, Alvida was a real historical pirate who sailed the North Atlantic in the 1100s. known as the Red Maiden
Alvilda also gathered together all the female servants who were against marriage. Before the men knew what had happened, the feminist band had stolen a ship and had put out to sea.
After being on the water for only a few days, the group came across another pirate ship that had recently lost its captain. The men agreed to join the warrior women and Alvilda became the new captain.
Alvilda became a menace to the shipping community. Alvilda’s theivery alerted the law around the Danish coast. Prince Alf, who was unaware that the pirates were commanded by his fiance, decided to attack the pirate ship. A battle ensued . However, except for the men in her crew, no one was aware that most of the pirates were female
concentrated on attacking Danish merchant vessels, very likely as a form of revenge. Eventually, the Danish king ordered Alfto exterminate the pirates
The king's entire fleet chased Alvilda from Denmark to Finland. Although the ladies put up quite a fight, they were eventually overpowered. When the battle was over, Alf prepared to execute the pirate captain. However, as he was about to strike the blow, her helmet fell off, revealing her long hair. Alf could not bring himself to kill her and again proposed marriage. After years of defiance and independence, Alvilda agreed because, this time, she really had no choice.
She Later became Queen of Sweden
But Championed for Women Rights
She Later became Queen of Sweden
But Championed for Women Rights
female Viking pirates:
Princess Sela — c. 420 A.D., Norwegian Viking
Princess Rusla — Norwegian Viking
Russila and her sister Stikla — Norwegian Vikings
Wigbiorg — 800s A.D., Viking
Hetha — 800s A.D., Viking
Wisna — 800s A.D., Viking
Ladgerda — c. 870 A.D., Viking
Æthelflæd, "Lady of the Mercias
Top Opinion
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Texas Johnny 2011/03/22 20:33:55
http://www.azer.com/aiweb/cat...
Love the "women's status increased with age" part :-)
(But I think you meant "bear arms")
Besides them, I respect the Prophet Muhammad for giving women liberal chance during his age, he was one great feminist man.
It's due to this rich history that women in Scandinavia have so much liberty and are elected presidents, get a job in the army, are successful scientists etc.
On and so on.
God bless them.
If there is anything hotter than a Pirate chick,
It's a VIKING chick.
In fact, they are so hot even other chicks want to go with them to the prom.
http://www.sodahead.com/livin...
Women Pirates and women Viking warriors kicked some ass
Another great post.