On the History Channel's mini-series "The Vikings", because of the blend of bringing in real history with the various relationships we encounter as we view each episode...many questions begin to arise from the various fans of this remarkable series.....
One question that has arisen: "Were there really..."Shield-Maidens"?
"Shield-Maidens" is a phrase that derives from the writings of Norse mythology. John Skylitzes records women fighting alongside Vikings known as Varangian Vikings against Bulgarians in 971 A.D.
Real notoriety for "Shield-Maidens" seem to make its presence in history through the writings of Saxo Grammaticus (Saxo the Literate), a Danish historian of the medieval era who wrote of a battle known as: The Battle of Braveller or The Battle of Bravalla.
The Battle of Braveller is an epic Norse saga of legendary renown. It is written to have taken place sometime in the mid 8th century A.D. and is one of the oldest written documents of the countries Estonia and Latvia, both located in northern Europe.
The battle has been retold, revised, and written by various authors, yet Saxo Grammaticus writes in great detail of what possibly happened. In his writings, which consists of 16 books, he describes this battle using both a mixture of Norse Mythology and Medieval history.
It was basically a battle between the King of Sweden and a sector of Sweden ...vs.... the King of Denmark and another sector of Sweden. Eventually the King of Sweden won the battle, and it is written that 300 "Shield-Maidens" held their ground during a crucial part of this epic battle. One "Shield-Maiden" of the battle named Hetha, was written to have survived the battle and was rewarded with a portion of Denmark...to rule. Later writings indicate she ran into problems because some of her own warriors rebelled...simply because of the thought of having a woman as ruler or chieftain.
To this day there has been much debate among historians...whether this battle actually took place...or was it just another tale in Norse mythology...most likely...a little bit of both.
Saxo Grammaticus wrote of other "Shield-Maidens" as well including Sela...a woman warrior and accomplished pirate of the period, and along with Hetha, there was Visna and Veldog...all "Shield-Maidens" who fought at the Battle of Braveller.
"Shield-Maidens have been described as women who have suffered deeply and bear grudges for the injustices they had personally encountered...on their families and their people. The only satisfaction for a "Shield-Maiden" for such atrocities...was bloodshed.
One thing of notice in the chronicles of history, it does seem to convey the thought Viking women may have experienced more rights and personal freedoms...than those of the rest of Europe in that time frame.
In Norse mythology, there is a term known as "Valkyrie". It is a host of female figures who decide which soldiers would die in a particular battle...and who would live. The ones chosen to die in battle would be escorted by these female figures to Valhalla...the celebration hall made possible by the god Odin...and would be in festive array for eternity. Often times if a Viking warrior viewed a Raven, a Swan, or perhaps even a Horse...it was sometimes interpreted as a sign...they were about to die in battle.
In recent times, discoveries have been made of ancient tapestries from the medieval period that depict the stories and tales of ferocious female warriors who hunted in packs...and slain men in battle. Most of what has been discovered is highly fictional in nature...simply because of the almost supernatural females portrayed on the tapestries.
One other problem in regards to "Shield-Maidens" was the burial process among Vikings. Women were not buried with swords or armor like the male warriors, but were found with weaving and spinning instruments...along with other items that were used in the home.
And now....Lagertha...and the "Tales of Ragnar".......
Ok...here is how the tale goes:
Lagertha made her entrance as a warrior..a "Shield-Maiden"... when a Swithian chieftain invaded Norway around 840 A.D. Ragnar came to fight the Swedes, and many local women dressed up like men and went to Ragnar's camp to join in battle against the Swedish invasion.
Ragnar then met Lagertha...and began to court her...although he did it from a distance. Lagertha pretends to act interested, Ragnar "took the bait"...and arrived at her home to seek her hand. When he arrived, he was attacked by a bear ad a great hound...which guarded her home. It is written Ragnar killed the bear with his spear and choked the great hound with his bare hands...and won the hand...of Lagertha....or so the romantic tale goes.
"Shield-Maidens"?...don't really know. What I do know...Lagertha is a great character to have on The Vikings series on the History Channel...and it wouldn't have near the impact the series has...without her!
One question that has arisen: "Were there really..."Shield-Maidens"?
"Shield-Maidens" is a phrase that derives from the writings of Norse mythology. John Skylitzes records women fighting alongside Vikings known as Varangian Vikings against Bulgarians in 971 A.D.
Real notoriety for "Shield-Maidens" seem to make its presence in history through the writings of Saxo Grammaticus (Saxo the Literate), a Danish historian of the medieval era who wrote of a battle known as: The Battle of Braveller or The Battle of Bravalla.
The Battle of Braveller is an epic Norse saga of legendary renown. It is written to have taken place sometime in the mid 8th century A.D. and is one of the oldest written documents of the countries Estonia and Latvia, both located in northern Europe.
The battle has been retold, revised, and written by various authors, yet Saxo Grammaticus writes in great detail of what possibly happened. In his writings, which consists of 16 books, he describes this battle using both a mixture of Norse Mythology and Medieval history.
It was basically a battle between the King of Sweden and a sector of Sweden ...vs.... the King of Denmark and another sector of Sweden. Eventually the King of Sweden won the battle, and it is written that 300 "Shield-Maidens" held their ground during a crucial part of this epic battle. One "Shield-Maiden" of the battle named Hetha, was written to have survived the battle and was rewarded with a portion of Denmark...to rule. Later writings indicate she ran into problems because some of her own warriors rebelled...simply because of the thought of having a woman as ruler or chieftain.
To this day there has been much debate among historians...whether this battle actually took place...or was it just another tale in Norse mythology...most likely...a little bit of both.
Saxo Grammaticus wrote of other "Shield-Maidens" as well including Sela...a woman warrior and accomplished pirate of the period, and along with Hetha, there was Visna and Veldog...all "Shield-Maidens" who fought at the Battle of Braveller.
"Shield-Maidens have been described as women who have suffered deeply and bear grudges for the injustices they had personally encountered...on their families and their people. The only satisfaction for a "Shield-Maiden" for such atrocities...was bloodshed.
One thing of notice in the chronicles of history, it does seem to convey the thought Viking women may have experienced more rights and personal freedoms...than those of the rest of Europe in that time frame.
In Norse mythology, there is a term known as "Valkyrie". It is a host of female figures who decide which soldiers would die in a particular battle...and who would live. The ones chosen to die in battle would be escorted by these female figures to Valhalla...the celebration hall made possible by the god Odin...and would be in festive array for eternity. Often times if a Viking warrior viewed a Raven, a Swan, or perhaps even a Horse...it was sometimes interpreted as a sign...they were about to die in battle.
In recent times, discoveries have been made of ancient tapestries from the medieval period that depict the stories and tales of ferocious female warriors who hunted in packs...and slain men in battle. Most of what has been discovered is highly fictional in nature...simply because of the almost supernatural females portrayed on the tapestries.
One other problem in regards to "Shield-Maidens" was the burial process among Vikings. Women were not buried with swords or armor like the male warriors, but were found with weaving and spinning instruments...along with other items that were used in the home.
And now....Lagertha...and the "Tales of Ragnar".......
Ok...here is how the tale goes:
Lagertha made her entrance as a warrior..a "Shield-Maiden"... when a Swithian chieftain invaded Norway around 840 A.D. Ragnar came to fight the Swedes, and many local women dressed up like men and went to Ragnar's camp to join in battle against the Swedish invasion.
Ragnar then met Lagertha...and began to court her...although he did it from a distance. Lagertha pretends to act interested, Ragnar "took the bait"...and arrived at her home to seek her hand. When he arrived, he was attacked by a bear ad a great hound...which guarded her home. It is written Ragnar killed the bear with his spear and choked the great hound with his bare hands...and won the hand...of Lagertha....or so the romantic tale goes.
"Shield-Maidens"?...don't really know. What I do know...Lagertha is a great character to have on The Vikings series on the History Channel...and it wouldn't have near the impact the series has...without her!
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