We've based the reconstruction in this blog on the female Viking warrior from Birka found in grave Bj 581. The prominent position of grave Bj 581 on the cemetery in Birka and the stones that marked the grave made it clear that the person in this Viking grave held an important social status. She was a leader and military commander whose existence may have been known in Birka for generations to come.
What makes Birka grave Bj 581 'special'?
The warrior from Birka grave Bj 581 is a woman. This is particularly remarkable because science overlooked for decades that women could also participate in military operations. When a Viking was found with objects associated with domestic crafts, such as pots or jewelry, it was assumed to be a woman. If a Viking was found with weapons, they were automatically given the label man. This was because in practice it was very difficult to determine gender based on only (parts of) a skeleton.
Just as in Germanic and Celtic cultures, among the Vikings women were involved in military operations. This was already mentioned by the Roman writer Tacitus. There are also various other Viking graves, such as the 10th-century grave of Bogøvej in Denmark and the grave of Åsnes in Norway, in which women were buried with weapons. Another example where two women were buried in enormous luxury was the 9th-century Oseberg Viking Ship Grave. No weapons were found here, but an enormous number of other objects including a ship, 4 sleds and a wall tapestry, which represented absolute status. It's possible that weapons were originally placed in the grave but later removed from it. Removing or later adding weapons to a grave was customary among the Vikings. It's also possible that the grave was looted. (graves were regularly opened by later generations and objects were taken out or put in. This ritual stood for connection with the ancestors).
There are various written sources that demonstrate the existence of female Viking warriors:
-The chronicles of Byzantine historian John Skylitzes about the Battle with Sviatoslav I of Kiev, which states that female warriors participated.
-The Greenland saga about the pregnant half-sister of Leif Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir, who fought the Skrælings (Inuit) in Vinland (Canada).
-The chronicles of Saxo Grammaticus, which mention that Danish women also participated in the Battle of Brávellir.
-The saga of the Ynglings in which Åsa Haraldsdottir is described as a skilled seafarer who led sea expeditions and was probably also a warrior.
Aristocratic warrior women
According to the hypothesis of Janina Ramirez, the fact that women could wage war was not unusual in pre-Christian Northern Europe. In the early Middle Ages, a distinction was not so much made between man and woman, but more between social origin. An aristocrat was expected to be able to protect the power and prosperity of the family. Therefore, women were also trained in the art of war and prepared for warfare.
All female Viking warriors that sources are known about are currently associated with aristocratic descent. The Viking tribal chief played an important role in protecting the power of the tribe, both diplomatically and with armed force.
One could suggest that it was not the individual, but one's role within the tribe that was central. Each tribe member had a role to play. It's possible that this was more central to society than gender and the individual wishes of a person.
The woman found in Birka grave Bj 581 is a 10th-century Viking. Although her clothing did not withstand the ravages of time, remnants were found with details associated with the clothing of the Eurasian steppe. Based on the materials found in the grave, a reconstruction was made. This reconstruction shows her in clothing that we nowadays classify under the Rusvik style. Her power may have been concentrated in or around Birka or perhaps elsewhere in the Baltic Sea region. What we do know is that, like some other Viking aristocracy, she was buried with a great deal of weapons and two horses. A gaming board with pieces was also found in the grave, which probably means that the woman in this grave was a good strategist. What was also striking was the complete absence of household items.
Clothing of a Viking warrior
We don't know her name, but in this reconstruction we call her Gudrun.
Gudrun was a powerful aristocrat in the region of Birka. Not only was she skilled with her sword, axes and bow, she was also an excellent strategist and a very skilled rider. She loved riding until she had back problems in her later years (in her 30s). Gudrun was dressed for winter and she wore men's clothing. According to the Anglo-Saxon chronicles, Æthelflæd wore men's clothing during the war against the Vikings. Men's clothing is more suitable for warfare than a long skirt.
Viking tunic
In our composition, Gudrun wears an unbleached under tunic.
With a dark tunic over it. Black was rarely worn in Viking culture. The reason for this was that a bright black color was very difficult to make. Pure black was therefore exclusively affordable for the very richest. The tunic we chose is also richly embroidered, which once again displays the wealth.
Viking trousers
Gudrun wears a typical Viking puffed trousers, just as depicted on the 9th-century Oseberg wall tapestry, on the Runestone of Lillbjärs, on the stone of Broa (Halla, Gotland) and on the 10th-century Viking Cross of Weston in England.
Viking kaftan
Over her tunics, Gudrun wears a kaftan for extra warmth. Although we haven't found complete kaftans, multiple sources refer to the use of woolen jackets that we today consider kaftans. Runestones from Etelhem and Lärbro in Gotland probably depict kaftans, as does the 9th-century wall tapestry found in the Oseberg ship grave.
Viking belt
Gudrun wears a belt with a clasp based on findings from other Birka graves. In Birka grave Bj 581 there was a clasp, but we currently don't have a replica available. Therefore, in this composition we have used a luxury decorated belt but based on other graves at the same location.
Viking cloak
Gudrun wears a cloak here, trimmed with fur. The fur may come from beaver pelts purchased in the area of the Volga in Russia or Ukraine. Imported fur was an absolute status symbol.
Viking headwear
Gudrun wears a relatively simple woolen cap. This cap was practical in nature. Caps helped women, just like headscarves, to keep their long hair out of the way. Viking women predominantly had long hair.
Viking shoes
Gudrun wears shoes based on 10th-century originals found in the Viking town of York.
Armor
Viking sword
In her grave, Gudrun received a luxury sword. This sword was probably a Petersen type L. In our reconstruction, we chose to use a Petersen type E2 because we didn't have a matching Petersen type L available.
Viking shield
Gudrun was buried with two shields. Viking shields consisted of multiple planks that were attached to each other. The replica we chose is also made in that way.
Viking spears
In her grave, Gudrun definitely received at least two spears. These spears probably had a Petersen type M spearhead. In our reconstruction, we left out the spears. Gudrun only had two hands and those were already full of weapons.
As a spearhead, you can choose:
Viking axe
The axe Gudrun received in her grave was a Petersen type M. For our reconstruction, we chose this axe.
Viking seax
The parts of the seax sheath that were found in Birka grave Bj 581 were richly decorated. This once again shows that Gudrun must have been a very wealthy woman. The seax was long and was clearly intended to be used in combat.
Viking bows & arrows
Gudrun had various arrowheads with her in her grave. They were probably part of a complete set, so a bow, quiver
