This one's for the history buffs who picture themselves in other times and places.
Imagine yourself on Iceland. History is being made and you play a role in it. Who would you be?
Read the four profiles and pick which woman you most identify with. The answers to these real Viking women can be found below.
A)
You’re a quiet, deep thinker. There’s a quality
of stillness about you that draws people in. Because of these characteristics,
you fall into a leadership role whether it’s something you want or not. You’re
generous and fair…as long as people abide by your rules. If they don’t, watch
out!
B)
You’re a tad headstrong but smart. When the odds
are against you, you regroup and try a different approach. Some might say
you’re wily as a fox. Using feminine wiles and your brain is fair game in your
opinion. And menial labor? Not top on your list of things to do.
C)
You’re gentle, stubborn, and curious. The world
is your oyster, and you want to explore it. You get your hands dirty and work
hard right alongside men. You’re not concerned about equality because you live
as you please; men better respect you (and they do!).
D)
You’re fierce – physically and mentally. You’re
not afraid to defend what’s yours.
Family and friends mean the world to you and anyone bringing trouble to
your door better watch out. Though it may exhaust you, you work as hard outside
the home as inside.
Who were they?
A)
Audr the Deep-Minded of Iceland (also Aud). The
daughter of a Norwegian chieftain, Audr was one of the first Viking women to settle
Iceland. After becoming a widow, she commissioned a ship built for her to go to
Iceland. Twenty men followed her there. Once on the new island nation, leaders
divided Iceland into 4 sections. They asked Audr to lead one. She did, granting
freedom to all thralls (slaves) who lived in her section. Audr gave them land
too with one requirement – follow her rules.
B)
Melkorka, a highborn daughter of Eyre, stolen in
a raid. She feigned muteness for several years. The highborn woman became a
thrall (slave) who disdained chores and made life difficult for the Viking
mistress she served. One day the jig was up on her muteness. Her Viking master
wisely decided to keep the peace in his home and give Melkorka a home of her
own in another meadow! There’s a place in Iceland named after the crafty former
slave.
C)
Gudrid of Iceland. Her story is in the Sagas but
it took historians a long time to believe she was real! Gudrid journeyed with
Leif Erikson to “Vinland” (North America) and lived there for a few years. But,
she packed up and went back to Iceland. Still restless, the Viking woman
traveled to Rome and hung out for a year. Then, she went home to Iceland. She
wasn’t concerned about making a name for herself: this was Gudrid’s gentle
curiosity at work -- amazing but true travels. It took historians (read that as
male historians) centuries to believe she was real – all confirmed when they
found her longhouse about 20 years ago in Iceland (silly men!).
D)
Freydis (half-sister to Leif). Leif was a brave
one, but she’s just as fierce and strong. She too went to the wilds of Vinland
as an adventurer. Isolation and wilderness didn’t phase her. Neither did the vicious
locals. When they attacked, the Viking men ran but Freydis picked up a fallen
sword, wielding it with one breast bared! The attackers ran away (likely in
shock because she was also pregnant). Some say the Vinland settlement failed
due to a lack of women. (They needed more Freydis’s and Gudrid’s). One thing
is certain, wherever home is Freydis is sure to protect it.
Wait! Don't go yet!
Tell me in the comment section below which woman you identified with and why.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Gina Conkle
Gina Conkle joined Sourcebooks with a lively Georgian romance series. But, she also writes Viking romance. A history nerd to the core, castles and museums rate high on her list of adventurous places. When not enjoying relics, she lives in the present with her favorite alpha male, Brian, and their two boys in Michigan.
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Love this! I think I'd be Audr.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can definitely see you as Audr. :-)
DeleteI think Melkorka. Sounds like she was a survivor and a bit wily.
ReplyDeleteHi Lucy! So nice to "see" you here. Melkorka is it? I'll have to keep my eye on you!
DeleteI am probably a Gudrid-ish. What an amazing life! Thanks for the run-down of these cool women.
ReplyDeleteHi Vivien,
DeleteGudrid was amazing. And she was known to be beautiful (not sure if I included that in the description). Glad you stopped by the check out the post.