What was the role of Viking women?
As explained before, many Vikings were just farmers or settlers, and women were most often required for such a lifestyle, since they had to tend for the house and farm when their husbands were away. Also, for a permanent settlement in a new land to be established, there would have to be women. Some historians believe that women may even have been allowed to be in charge of trade, and earning a living for the family. Women were allowed to become priestesses, a high and important role in Norse culture. However, the majority of women simply cooked, made clothing, and cared for children and the elderly. In certain Viking sagas, shieldmaidens, or virgins who take up a life as a warrior, are featured. However, there is speculation whether they ever actually existed.
