The Northwomen
by Heather Pringle
Until Scandinavia converted to Christianity, the Vikings were a dominant force in the medieval world. Outfitted with sleek sailing ships, they left their mark, spreading terror across Europe, sacking capitals, deposing kings, and plundering economies.
But not all disruption is harmful. The Vikings also constructed cities, became the first Europeans to set foot in North America, and enriched the English language. After the Vikings, the world was never the same.
Still, as much as we know about this celebrated culture, there is a large missing piece: its women. All but ignored by contemporary European writers, these unsung heroines were thought to have played little part in the famous feats of the Vikings, instead remaining at home as wives, mothers, and homemakers.
In this enthralling narrative, renowned journalist Heather Pringle turns this assumption on its head, using the latest archaeological research and historical findings to reveal these women as formidable figures who served as sorceresses, warriors, traders, artisans, explorers, settlers, landowners, and power brokers, both at home and abroad. This revisionist portrait of the Vikings helps portray them as they actually were: a complex society rich in culture and courage, with a surprisingly modern gender ideology. Ambitious and alluring, The Northwomen is the true story of some of the least known members of the Viking world—and what they reveal about the modern age.
HC
Canoe Trips
Canoe Trips
