jamescurtis29

I studied Viking Studies BA at the University of Nottingham and part of my study was specifically on Viking attitudes to women. Ridiculously, I never actually studied under Judith due to conflicting timetables, however we shared a joke about Havamal translations in my first year, which was cool I guess.

I made a point in a (now) far lower comment on the concept of 'rape and pillage' and feel that it would be useful to copy it here as an addendum to your statement. Rape, of course, is not the only factor to study how women were treated, but the results are telling.

The concept of Vikings 'raping' isn't quite founded, at least not as a unique character trait. Unfortunately acts of sexual violence have been a reality of war throughout history and this undoubtedly includes Viking raiders; however, from a historical perspective, there are actually few contemporary sources which refer to Viking rape in raiding situations. Specifically, it is alluded to once by Roger of Wendover (who was writing about an event long after its occurrence) and once by Adrevald of Fleury, who refers to the raiders' 'ludibria' of maidens. The word 'ludibria', usually translated as 'mockery', suggests rape. However, the uniqueness of this evidence and the relatively common reports of raping warriors in contemporary cultures like the Carolingians suggests that it actually was a relatively uncommon Viking act.

On the non-raiding side, we see some strong punitive laws in Scandinavia against sexual aggression; unfortunately the only source I can find right now is this less-than-credible secondary source: https://satwcomic.com/keep-your-hands-to-yourself , but maybe /u/cjadrien can find something better.

In the literary accounts, on the seldom occasions where rape is depicted, it is used to humiliate or as an act of vengeance (in Guðmundar saga dýra and Völundarkviða respectively).

Hope that's of interest.

I did see this. My friends and family still sends me Viking news whenever they see it. This despite the fact that I haven't actually picked up a book about Vikings in 8 years.

I agree with your perspective, especially if that 865 date is roughly accurate. But with regards to the evolving knowledge around women, as much as we know anything from that period (and as you noted on mythology there's a lot we don't know), I think we have enough information from the combination of literary and archaeological findings to get a rough idea. While women had an unusually high level of respect afforded them for the period, their place was still largely in the home. They were in charge, and I mean actually in charge, of arranging the order and finances for the home; evidence for this is in grave goods (keys were often placed in graves probably as symbols for their role in the home) and their relatively home-based descriptions in sagas; although there are some badass women in sagas as well, like Hervor from Hervarar Saga, the tafl-playing, dead-rising shield-maiden. That said, 865 was the date that the first group approximating a Viking army arrived in East Anglia, the first step in creating what would eventually be called the Danelaw. If you're going to conquer somewhere with the idea of settlement, you're going to want some women to play their roles in society.

Sorry if you know all this, but hopefully it also answered OP's question a bit.