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"1000 A.D. VIKING
WOMAN"
In 1000 A.D., The Vikings
(also known as the Northmen)
of Scandinavia were at their
fiercest height. They had
conquered most of Europe,
traveling up and down the
rivers. But they were not
only fighters, but then
became traders in everything
from slaves to merchandise
and arms.
This Viking woman was as
fierce as her traveling
husband. During the summers,
when he was off “a Viking”,
she managed the homestead.
She had to guard against
thieves and rogues, who
would steal livestock and
food while her husband was
gone. She was in charge of
the animals and planting and
harvesting of crops, as well
as taking care of her
children. This was no mean
feat. It took a strong and
brave woman.
Our woman’s clothing was
usually made of wadmal, a
sturdy handwoven and
handspun fabric of wool (for
warmth) that she made on an
upright, warp-weighted loom.
Her apron was her Sunday
best, made of cotton
probably brought home by her
husband. Her brooch was
special, too, also brought
home from faraway places.
Artists Note: The “wadmal”
in this case is a wool, hand
spun and woven by Margaret
Tyler, a well-known San
Diego teacher and crafts
woman. Thank you, Margaret.
I wove the apron of perle
cotton in a weave of yellow
and blue stars which are a
“color and weave” structure
with a straight twill
threading and treadling. The
dark blue background,
acrylic painted on canvas,
represents the vast skies of
northern Europe, and the
tiny beads are the many
stars and the Milky Way.
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