Famous Women Norse

Discover five famous women from the Viking Age

Queen of Dublin

After the deaths of her husband, the Norse king of Dublin, and her son, Aud had her own ship constructed and she left the British Isles for Iceland. As a widow with control over her own resources, she provided land for the slaves that had accompanied her, whom she then turned into freedmen. She is often credited with introducing Christianity to Iceland.

Queen

The remains of two women, one in her 50s and one in her 20s, were discovered inside the Oseberg burial ship, Norway. The richest Viking burial to be uncovered, it implies that one of the women was extremely wealthy and powerful. It has been suggested that this person could be Queen Åsa of Agder, who is associated with Oseberg.

Literary character

Guðrún is a celebrated and beautiful fictional character who features in the Icelandic Laxdoela Saga. She marries four times, divorcing her first husband after he wears a low-cut top she made for him just so that she could accuse him of wearing feminine clothing and separate from him. Her other three husbands tragically die and she becomes the first nun in Iceland.

Queen of Denmark

Queen Thyre was the wife of the first recognised king of Denmark, Gorm the Old, and the mother of Harald Bluetooth. While her husband was away at battle, Queen Thyre ruled in his place, earning the admiration of her people. According to legend, she was responsible for the building of the Danevirke fortification, although it predates her lifetime as it was actually started in the Nordic Iron Age.

Shield maiden

Lagertha’s legendary, largely fictional, tale was depicted by 12th-century Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. When the invading King Frø of Sweden killed the Norwegian King Siward, Siward’s grandson Ragnar swore revenge. Lagertha, who had been forced into a brothel alongside Siward’s female relatives by Frø, assisted Ragnar, impressing him with her courage and military skill.