You're Dead to Me Viking Women (Radio Edit)
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Nov 28, 2025 
Join historian Dr. Eleanor Barraclough, an expert on medieval northern cultures, and comedian Chloe Petts for a lively exploration of Viking women. Discover the vital roles of women during the Viking Age, from weavers and healers to the harsh realities of daily life. They delve into intriguing topics like high-status burials, the legend of Olga of Kiev, and the complexities of female warriors. With humor woven throughout, this conversation challenges the macho Viking stereotype and reveals the stories of ordinary women shaping their world.
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Viking Age Is Wide And Long‑Ranging
- The Viking Age spans roughly from the late 8th century to about 1100 and covers vast geographic expansion.
- Vikings originated in Scandinavia but reached Iceland, Greenland, North America, Byzantium and near Baghdad.
Women Kept Viking Society Afloat
- Viking society depended on women's labour for textiles, sails and childrearing, making expansion possible.
- Without women's work there would be no clothing, no sails and no next generation to continue the culture.
Girlhood Varied By Status
- Childhood experience varied greatly by status, with enslaved girls facing much harsher lives than free girls.
- Evidence suggests higher rates of female infanticide, although it's difficult to prove definitively.
