Introducing the Vikings (The Rigspula & Class)

What cultural traits can we gather from Havamal & the Rigspula?

They depict a culture of violence, valuing honour & status, emphasizing having a “good name,” and being patriarchal (mostly male audience for these sagas)

What was the average height of Viking women?

Approximately 5’2 ½

What was the average height of Viking men?

Approximately 5’7, though remains of taller men (6’ & over) have been found

What are possible reasons that the graves of taller men are often associated with more grave goods?

Taller individuals likely had better access to food, leading to increased strength, wealth, and social power 

What are some concerns about using the Rigspula as a historical source?

Its translation date, the translator’s involvement with the Nazi party & its ideology, the genre (poetry), and the inability to compare / “fact-check” the information with other literature.

What were the social classes from the Viking Age (as depicted in the Rigspula)?

• Slaves/servants - Thrall

• Freemen & Farmers - Karl

• Nobles - Jarl

What does the translation of names in the Rigspula suggest about social class?

Names like Lumpy and Stumpy for slaves/servants imply a connection between social class and looks

What does the Rigspula sugget about social class & birth?

It presents social class as fixed and based on birth, though this may not be entirely accurate

How does the Rigspula depict the class of Thrall?

• Typical home - a hall with earthen floor

• Associated job - manual labour

• Marriage - woman “wanders in”

• Typical food - lumpy loaf and broth

• Material culture / clothes - old-fashioned items

How does the Rigspula depict the class of Churl?

• Typical home - hall with a plank floor

• Associated job - farming, cloth making (honourable for women)

• Marriage - woman is brought in by her parents 

• Typical food - veel, porridge or bread

• Material culture / clothes - goat-skinned tunics

How does the Rigspula depict the class of Earl?

• Typical home - hall with multiple entrances & fancy doors

• Associated jobs - hunter, warrior, educated in runes, lady of leisure

• Marriage - man finds and woos woman, asks her father for her hand

• Typical food - white bread, fish, bacon, and fowl

• Material culture / clothes - linen, broach, silver, rings, gowns

• Social role - engaged in education, sports, swimming, horse taming, & shield bending

What is the most common class in the Viking Age?

Karl/Churl - the freemen & farmers