Vikings: What did women warriors look like in true Viking society?

The wait is over. On November 28, the second half of the fifth season of the Vikings was created, although in the Argentine television, it will be transmitted tomorrow by Fox Series. The new chapters focus on the war between the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, Ivar against Björn, Ubbe and Hvitsärk, in order to achieve the reign of Kattegat.

The current ruler of this kingdom is neither more nor less than a woman: Lagertha. But it is not the only one; the female gender, in general, has played an important role in the development of the story broadcast on the small screen.

However, Is the design reflected in the series real? To understand the way of life of women in the ancient Viking society, Filo.News has maintained with the historian of the ancient and Spanish writer, Lidia Castro Navas.

What was Viking culture like?

The term "Vikings" refers to Nordic peoples from Scandinavia. From 789 to 1100, it was known that these warriors and merchants were venturing into Europe, Southwest Asia, North Africa, and North America to attack and explore new lands.

In this context, Men were the main protagonists. What happened to women? "We must differentiate free women from slaves.While the free Viking enjoyed laws and consideration, the slave was only an object.So a slave could be violated with impunity; it was not the same with a gratuitous act, an act punishable by the death penalty of the rapist, "said the historian.

As he revealed, the Viking free woman was strong, she knew how to handle weaponsbut he did not take part in the war, because he had a very important mission to take care of the family, the farm and to defend the population in the absence of the men who had gone away. beat.

In comparison with the series, this idea can be seen represented in the character of Lagertha, in the first season, which was left in the custody of children while Ragnar. he has traveled new horizons. This task, at the time, was highly appreciated by men, who trusted women. However, as the seasons go by, his role has changed.

"This does not mean that, exceptionally, a woman, who had the physical conditions and who had so decided, could not actively participate in the war, but it must be something exceptional ", noted the historian.

A feminist culture?

Compared to other cultures, the Viking woman had autonomy and empowerment. "In Greece, for example, it was unthinkable for a woman to decide anything, she was considered an eternal minor under the charge of a man"; Meanwhile, in the Nordic countries, women could decide if they wanted to get married or be single.

In turn, he commented that there was also a divorce, in which both partners could make a decision – not as in the Roman era, where only the man could choose when he was separated; Personal will was also a women's right.

Even women also had decision-making power in society: "If we're talking about decision-making, it's essential to know that the Vikings gathered in clan bademblies and the women participated actively, although decisions on wars, looting, etc. it is the men who have the last word, because it is they who will carry them out. "

What is the reality of the female representation of the Viking warriors?

Despite the notorious role of the genre at the time, the series oversize the role that the woman had at the time: "I think that in the case of the series" Vikings ", they exaggerated the role of the warrior woman – argues Castro Navas – and more particularly the case of the protagonist Lagertha It is very unlikely that a woman will come to reign "he explained.

Who was "Lagherta" in real life? "This is part of the Viking mythology and it is said that it was a Valkyrie (mythological warrior woman who was responsible for bringing the dead to action in Valhalla)," said the historian.

"In the series, they exaggerated the role of the warrior woman," commented the historian.

According to the Gesta Danorum, a twelfth century text attributed to the historian Saxo Gramático, when Ragnar met Lagertha, was impressed by his courage: "Everyone was surprised at their insurmountable acts, because the locks of hair that fell on her back revealed her status as a woman ".

Even so, the patriarchal conception of struggles predominated as the main value; exactly, what struck him was the idea that had "the courage of a man, to fight in front of the bravest, with his long hair on his shoulders. "

"The Viking woman did not participate in the wars (He could handle weapons and defend his village if necessary, but he will rarely go to war) and he could not rule, but he had an enviable degree of independence and decision-making power compared to other women in the world. Era, "concluded the writer.