Viking Women
by Deirdre Flynn, Fifth Class

Life as a Viking Woman
Viking women were responsible for all the household duties such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and looking after the children. The woman of the house had to work hard which included combing her husband's hair to get rid of nits. They also made the family's clothes from the wool they had earlier spun into thread and woven into cloth.The women Vikings wore a loose long dress with brooches to hold it up. Over this they wore a length of cloth which was often of a better quality material. The over-garment was wrapped round the body, under the armpits. They used mineral water or vegetable dyes of green, brown, red, yellow or blue. How to spin as Viking women spun

1: Pull out and twist fibres. 2: Tie thread to spindle,looping round notch at top. 3: Twist spindle,so that twisting yarn runs back to interwine fibres pulled from ball of fleece. 4: Keep spinning, stretching arm. 5: Wind yarn on spindle; start again. Jewellry

Viking women liked to dress well. They wore jewellery of gold and silver, brooches, braceltes, armbands and rings. The metal used in this jewellery came from chalices and crosses, which had been stolen from monks and priests in Irish monasteries. The woman of the house looked after the farmstead if her husband was away. She would defend her home when it was being attacked. Whan her husband came home there would be a hearty dinner waiting for him. The children and the women got a little helping at the start and the scraps at the end of the meal. The men ate the main part of the meal. Sometimes Viking women would have a feast and she would order her servants to invite all her friends and relations. Viking women could be very independent, especially if they came from a wealthy family. They could own land and trade. In school last week we dressed up as Vikings for the day. My name was Aud and I was a poor Viking woman so I had none of these advantages. These wealthy women wouldn't have to get married to make sure they would be secure in their old age. In many countries at this time women were not allowed to be so independent. MarriageWhen two people got married the man had to pay the bride's father a "bridepriece". This was a gift of cattle or gold. Viking women could marry at twelve years of age but fifteen was more usual.They kept their own surnames after marriage so in some ways they were very modern.

Tradition
It was usually the women who taught their children stories, poetry and riddles. In this way they made sure that traditions were passed on. Few people could read or write, so this was the only way the Vikings had of passing on knowledge. Death Viking women were not treated equal to men at death .While men were often buried in their longboats. Viking women were often buried in a wagon instead of a coffin. She was buried with most of her household material such as spindles, wool-combs , shears and bone needles. In the grave, shears were kept in a special box and needles were kept in a case made out of hollow bird bone. Conclusion
I have learned that the Viking women were very independent and modern, e.g. they could get a divorce. It is only three years ago since divorces were introduced in Ireland. In other ways they were dependent e.g. they needed a 'brideprice' to get married. Most Viking women had to do everything and got no thanks. For instance, at meal-times the men were so greedy.

I was extremely surprised that they could get married at twelve years of age!