Gender in the Viking Age
Interestingly, the Viking world is often perceived as one of male domination. Yet the Vikings lived in a one sex society in which male and female were held not as opposites of each other. Instead, it was believed that men and women shared a single genital system which was either outside or inside the body. Men were viewed as more developed than women who were inverted and therefore less perfect. However, the concept of a one sex society meant that the Viking world was somewhat gender fluid. Any individual who exhibited masculine behaviour would receive praise while anyone who acted in a feminine manner would be treated in distain.
Interested in gender fluidity in the Viking age? Please read my article on the subject linked below.
Imy Steele 