Short YR 8 PPT on Viking Social structure

1. Viking Social Structure

2. Norse: Konungr; konungar (pl.)
Cf. Mjötuðr “ruler, dispenser”; ring-giver,
land-giver etc.
AKA Earls
Cf. Iclandic goði; goðar (pl.) “chief [among
equals], priest”
AKA Carls or Churls, freemen
AKA Träls, unfree, slaves

3. Key points on Viking Social Structure
• At the beginning of the Viking Age, there were many chieftains who
ruled over small areas.
• They were subject to local assemblies (The Thing) where all freemen
could voice an opinion.
• Strong families grew more powerful until in c. 1050 Norway, Denmark
and Sweden were each ruled by a powerful King.
• Majority of population were Karls, including farmers, traders,
craftsmen, warriors.
• Between 20-40% of the population were slaves.
• Slaves could be freed by their master, in a will or through buying
themselves.

4. Peer Experts Activity
Reading A
Extract from The Norse Warrior’s Unofficial
Manual by John Haywood.
So you want to be a viking.pdf
Reading B
Extract from Vikings Beyond the Legend by
Gunnar Andersson.
Vikings Beyond the Legend.pdf
Reading C
Extract from The Rigsthula by Snorri Sturlson.
Rigsthula_edited.pdf
Study Questions
•Is this a primary or a secondary source?
•Draw up a list of advantages and disadvantages
of each of the social classes described by John
Haywood.
•Who do you think is this book’s audience? What
impact does that has on its usefulness to your
study of the Vikings? What impact does it have
on its reliability?
Study Questions
•Is this a primary or a secondary source?
•What is Gunnar Andersson’s view of the idea
that Viking society was rigid and hierarchical?
•Why do we have more sources for people at the
top of the social pyramid than the bottom?
•If you wanted to study thralls, what sources
could you use?
Study Questions
•Is this a primary or a secondary source?
•Complete this analysis table as you read through
the story:
•Do you think the details you have recorded on
the table are helpful in studying Viking social
classes? Do you detect any bias or stereotyping?
If so, where in the text?
•Why do you think Vikings told this story?
1. Form groups of 3 and decide which person will do reading a, b, or c.
2. Complete your assigned reading and study questions.
3. Share what you have learned with your group. Some discussion prompts:
• What has each person learned about the Vikings and their social structure?
• What were the different points of view on the social classes (Kings, Jarls, Karls, & Thralls) in the readings?
• Which source was the most useful? Which was the most reliable?
• Draw up a social pyramid for Australia in 2014. How does the Viking's social pyramid compare to that in
contemporary Australia?