Way of Life in Viking Society
Classes of viking society
Slaves/Thralls:
This was the lowest class of viking society that obeyed their masters rules. People would become slaves/thralls if they were captured and sold or had been born into a slave/thrall family.
Free People:
These people didn't work for masters, they were just ordinary vikings that would train to be warriors. The free people would have jobs like fishermen and farmers. You were a free person if you weren't born as a slave/thrall, however if you were a slave/thrall set free you would become part of this class in viking society.
Aristocracy:
This is the highest and most powerful class of viking society. You were a part of this social class if you were a Viking King, Jarl or Chieftain. Erik the Red would have been a part of Aristocracy because he was a Chieftain.
This was the lowest class of viking society that obeyed their masters rules. People would become slaves/thralls if they were captured and sold or had been born into a slave/thrall family.
Free People:
These people didn't work for masters, they were just ordinary vikings that would train to be warriors. The free people would have jobs like fishermen and farmers. You were a free person if you weren't born as a slave/thrall, however if you were a slave/thrall set free you would become part of this class in viking society.
Aristocracy:
This is the highest and most powerful class of viking society. You were a part of this social class if you were a Viking King, Jarl or Chieftain. Erik the Red would have been a part of Aristocracy because he was a Chieftain.
Viking Law- Political
Judicial system:
In the Vikings society there was a Thing Assembly. This was the gathering of local landowners, where they would discuss local problems and deal out punishments. The Thing Assembly could last for weeks. It served everyone and everyone had equal rights including women.
Erik the Red was brought before the Thing Assembly. Thirty six judges heard his case and banished him for three years from Iceland.
If you would like to explore more about Erik the Red's exile from Iceland. CLICK HERE
In the Vikings society there was a Thing Assembly. This was the gathering of local landowners, where they would discuss local problems and deal out punishments. The Thing Assembly could last for weeks. It served everyone and everyone had equal rights including women.
Erik the Red was brought before the Thing Assembly. Thirty six judges heard his case and banished him for three years from Iceland.
If you would like to explore more about Erik the Red's exile from Iceland. CLICK HERE
Religion and Tradition
The Vikings believed in many different gods and goddesses. They were divided into two families, Asar and Vanir.
Traders and merchants were the first Vikings to become Christians. This made it easier for them to trade in Christian countries, but they kept to their old gods at home. Leif Eriksson (Erik the Red's son) brought the fist Christian missionaries to Greenland. He also built the first Christian church in Brattahild, Greenland, but Erik did not accept Christianity and remained true to his Pagan gods. Erik never visited the Christian church. The Vikings believed they had an animal spirits that accompanied them everywhere. They also believed in a Viking heaven (Valhalla) where you went if you had died in battle, however if you died any other way you went to viking hell. If you were the oldest son you would inherit your fathers land once he had died, if you were the younger you would have to explore or raid for new land.
Traders and merchants were the first Vikings to become Christians. This made it easier for them to trade in Christian countries, but they kept to their old gods at home. Leif Eriksson (Erik the Red's son) brought the fist Christian missionaries to Greenland. He also built the first Christian church in Brattahild, Greenland, but Erik did not accept Christianity and remained true to his Pagan gods. Erik never visited the Christian church. The Vikings believed they had an animal spirits that accompanied them everywhere. They also believed in a Viking heaven (Valhalla) where you went if you had died in battle, however if you died any other way you went to viking hell. If you were the oldest son you would inherit your fathers land once he had died, if you were the younger you would have to explore or raid for new land.
Language
The language used by the Vikings was Old Norse and they would write in the runic alphabet or runes.
Social
In viking society three generations of the same family would live together. Vikings had a great sense of family loyalty and family members would look after each other. All Vikings held feasts for their relatives and friends, but the biggest feasts were organised by the local jarls or chieftains. They were held to celebrate victories and special occasions. Everyone would dress in there best clothing and jewellery. Professional poets (skalds) were hired to entertain guests at a feast, they would recite poems about battles or events in viking history. In Viking leisure time they would mostly practice fighting techniques, but they did enjoy some quieter forms of entertainment such as a board game similar to chess called hnefatafl.