Viking
women| Exclusive
web interview |  | "A
Viking lady, for example, would be an equal to her husband in almost every sense,
carrying enormous responsibility."
Linda Raee | |
Think of the Vikings and you'll probably recall
images from school history lessons of fearsome Scandinavian invaders who plundered
and pillaged their way around Europe. It's unlikely that you'd think of
them as farmers or fishermen living peacefully in the North West of England. But
what was life like for the women? Inside Out asks Linda Raee from the Wirral
Viking re-enactment group, Wirhalh Skip Felag, to shed some light on the lives
of the female Viking. She also talks about what it's like to re-enact Viking
life. Viking women "I joined Regia Anglorum in the beginning
to be with my chap, you know, that crazy time when even a football match in the
rain seems romantic!
"The first time I 'dressed up' was a bit embarrassing
but I quickly discovered how easily 'kit' can become your natural clothing!
"History
studied this way is fascinating, compelling and entertaining - stimulating your
mind and exercising the body. "People you meet are as diverse as the
subject itself, teachers, warehousemen, students, engineers... there are no class
barriers in Regia other than those portrayed.  | The
traditional view of Vikings is very male centred.
Photo - PA Images. |
"These
wonderful friends and I subject ourselves entirely to period lifestyle while on
site, so the visitor sees an authentic reproduction of the time. "The
women of the period, 900 to 1066, varied widely according to rank, ethnic origin
and location. "A Viking lady, for example, would be an equal to her
husband in almost every sense, carrying enormous responsibility, preserving the
harvest over the winter, through spring and early summer until fresh produce was
available again. "This might mean stretching rations with acorns, tree
bark or even grass!
"Milk was made into cheese and butter -to preserve
it and corn was kept safe from vermin and ground to make bread, beer and gruel.
Hard labour
"It was a life of hard manual labour where
men were fed first and best to keep them strong and women and children felt hardship
most severely.
 | | Life
was a battle with a hard existence |
"Archaeological finds
show that women commonly had sinusitis from the cooking fires and damaged jaws
from chewing coarser foodstuff, they were often deficient in calcium too due to
a life spent pregnant or breast feeding. "This hard existence is very
different to the image presented by Hollywood.
"The role of women
was to be tough, strong, brave, and bright. Multi-tasking! A man's life
"The
role of men was to provide food, protection, and little Vikings!
Together
they were excellent farmers and fishermen.
"Their social structure
was rigid; justice severe and instant and their moral code might be envied at
times. "Life was harder then, but uncomplicated and direct.
"I
sometimes feel this world has a lot to learn from history, one thing is sure,
whenever re-enactors bring the past to life - we are always laughing!"
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听听Inside
Out - North West: Monday October 2, 2006