The female counterparts to male Vikings are known as shieldmaidens. Shieldmaidens were women who chose to fight as warriors alongside Viking men. They took part in battles, went on raids, and even commanded Viking ships at times. While not as numerous as male Vikings, shieldmaidens played an important role in Viking society and warfare.
The Origin of the Term Shieldmaiden
The term “shieldmaiden” comes from Old Norse skjaldmær, which literally means “maiden of the shield.” It refers to a woman who fought as a warrior using a shield, sword, and other weapons. The shield was an important part of a Viking warrior’s equipment, used both defensively and offensively in battle. A maiden who took up a shield signaled her intention to fight and protect herself on the battlefield.
The first recorded use of the term shieldmaiden comes from a 10th century poem called “The Greenlandic Lay of Atli.” It tells the apocryphal story of the shieldmaiden Hervor, who disguised herself as a man to claim her father’s magical sword. The poem emphasizes Hervor’s skill with weapons and combat. It shows that even in early recorded history, shieldmaidens were known for their prowess as warriors.
The Role of Shieldmaidens in Viking Society
In general, Viking society was quite patriarchal and centered around male dominance. However, women did enjoy more freedoms and rights compared to many other European cultures at the time. They could own property, request a divorce, and reclaim their dowries if widowed. Becoming a shieldmaiden offered women even more autonomy and a chance to engage in the dangerous expeditions and battles that were usually reserved for men.
Women who became shieldmaidens typically came from lineages of great warriors or leaders. Many were the daughters of jarls, kings, chiefs, and legendary heroes. Their upbringing would have included martial training with weapons and survival skills. This enabled them to fight capably alongside male Vikings on raids and voyages.
Shieldmaidens who proved themselves in battle gained honor and respect. Skilled shieldmaidens were valued as highly as male warriors and could rise to positions of leadership themselves. Some were said to have commanded longships during raids. For example, one late 9th century raid on England was led by a Danish woman named Inghen Ruaidh.
Famous Shieldmaidens from Legend
Much of what we know about Viking shieldmaidens comes from Norse sagas and other legendary sources. While the truth of these stories may be debatable, they paint a vivid picture of shieldmaidens and their exploits. Some famous shieldmaidens from Old Norse literature include:
Lagertha
Lagertha was a legendary Viking shieldmaiden who fought alongside the great Norse hero Ragnar Lodbrok. She was said to have fought courageously at the siege of Paris. According to the sagas, she and Ragnar ruled over parts of Sweden together as husband and wife.
Hervor
The shieldmaiden Hervor features in several Norse legends, including fighting disguised as a man to claim her father’s cursed sword Tyrfing. She raised forces and led raids after becoming a fearsome Viking chieftain in her own right.
Freydís Eiríksdóttir
The sagas describe Freydís as a brave shieldmaiden who traveled to Vinland and fiercely defeated Native Americans who ambushed the Viking settlement there. As the pregnant daughter of Erik the Red, she demanded to take part in the Vinland expeditions.
Archeological Evidence of Shieldmaidens
Beyond legend and myth, several archeological discoveries indicate the probable existence of real Viking shieldmaidens:
- A 10th century grave in Norway containing the skeleton of a female buried with a sword, spearhead, arrowheads, shield boss, and horse riding equipment, suggesting a high-status warrior.
- A similar 10th century grave of a female buried with weapons, including a sword, axe, spear, shield, and armor-piercing arrows, as well as sacrificial animals.
- An oval brooch found in Denmark engraved with the Latin phrase “A woman, hunter, warrior,” suggesting female martial roles.
These and other finds contradict the idea that only men fought as Vikings. They provide material evidence that at least some Viking women did act as warriors and receive warrior burials.
The Representation of Shieldmaidens in Modern Culture
The concept of the Viking shieldmaiden has been popularized recently through various forms of modern media:
TV Shows
The History Channel TV series Vikings follows the legendary Viking Ragnar Lothbrok and includes the shieldmaiden Lagertha as a main character. The show portrays shieldmaidens fighting in battles, defending settlements, and even leading raids.
Movies
Shieldmaidens have appeared as major characters in movies such as Erik the Viking (1989) and Pathfinder (2007). These portrayals often emphasize their fighting prowess and independence.
Video Games
Popular video game franchises featuring shieldmaidens include The Elder Scrolls, For Honor, Mount & Blade, Total War, and Assassin’s Creed. Players can take on the role of a shieldmaiden and fight alongside male Vikings.
Comics/Graphic Novels
The iconic shieldmaiden makes an appearance in the smash hit graphic novel series 300 in the secondary story arc, 300: March to Glory (1998), which focuses on another famous battle of the ancient world.
Conclusion
Shieldmaidens were women who took up arms and fought alongside male Vikings as warriors. Though not as numerous as their male counterparts, they formed an important part of ancient Norse society. From legendary figures like Lagertha to material evidence in burials, the contributions of Viking shieldmaidens are clear. In modern times, their warrior spirit lives on through ever-popular depictions in media and popular culture.