When the word “Viking” gets mentioned most individuals think of ships, swords, and raids. These are all true but not the only things. Viking life was full of daily routines, working hard, being with family members, farming, and survival.
These Norse people lived in small villages, typically by a river or the sea, so they could either sail away or fish and trade. While the present day may offer us leisure time and entertainment options such as games at Playamo, back then, their enjoyment was storytelling, wrestling, and board games fashioned from bone and stone. Even warriors needed a day off.
Homes Built for Cold and Company
Long, narrow houses, mostly made of wood, stone, and turf. The steep roofs were thatched with grass, to hold the warmth in. Viking families were all close together in a single room and often shared the space with animals during long, cold winters. The main room contained a central hearth. The fire in the hearth was the heart of the home. It provided light, warmth, and was an area to cook. Lost in a simple but busy life, chores were everywhere. Viking women wove cloth, cooked, and tended the home, while men hunted and farmed, sometimes leaving home for trade or war. Children contributed from an early age, often learning just by watching their parents.Food Was Seasonal and Earned
The Viking diet was based on what was available to grow, raise, or catch. Fish accounted for a large portion of their diets, especially if they were living in coastal areas. The Vikings also ate goats, sheep, and cows and drank anything made from these animals’ milk. With the milk, they made cheese. Fresh lettuce, onions, leeks, and cabbage were grown in small vegetable gardens. Barley was also grown and ground down to make beer and porridge. In the summer months, the Vikings worked hard to gather food such as berries and meats to help them survive through the cold winters. To preserve the meat and fish, electrolyte and drying and smoking were the biggest ways to accomplish this. Meals were simple but hearty, and drinking together was often a huge socializing aspect during meals. During a feast, the Vikings drank out of wooden cups, just like the quiet nights at home.
Beliefs Guided Every Day
The Viking people were idolaters with a pantheon of gods including Odin, Thor, Freya, and many more. Their myths were filled with battle, giants, and fate. The Viking cosmology saw the world as a great tree, with gods in the sky, humans in the middle, and the dead underground. People wore charms or invoked prayers to ensure safe travel, plentiful harvests, and success in battle. Funerals were important rites. A good death meant a ticket to Valhalla. Only the best warriors were invited by Odin and the Valkyries, but they feasted like kings forever. Some villages had magic, and some had seers, who were often women. By and large, seers gave advice, warned people about danger, and provided the sick with herbs to heal.War Wasn’t Every Man’s Life
Not all Viking men were warriors, and not all Viking warriors fought every day. Raiding was seasonal. It mostly happened in summer, and only some joined. Weapons were costly, so only wealthier families could arm all their sons. Many others stayed to farm and care for the land. Still, skills in combat were valued. Boys trained with wooden swords and shields. Adults joined forces in local groups to protect their villages. Loyalty was everything. Betrayal was deeply hated, and honor was passed down like land or tools.
Women Had More Rights Than You’d Think
Viking women had more freedom than women in many other parts of Europe at that time. They could own land, ask for divorce, and run farms while their husbands were away. Some even fought. They were not silent shadows in the home. They held power as healers, seers, and sometimes leaders. Marriage was a serious contract. Dowries were exchanged, and both sides agreed before a match was made. Mothers taught their daughters how to survive, manage, and speak with wisdom. A smart woman was deeply respected in Norse society.
