Home › Europe › Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World
  • Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World by Fri book cover
  • Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World by Fri book cover
1 2

Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World

by Fri

Women and power in the Viking world

$19.95 USD
$33.25 USD $19.95 USD
Save 40%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
Currently unavailable
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Longlisted for the 2020 Cundill History Prize

    Longlisted for the 2020 Cundill History Prize.

AlbakiReads Editorial

Women and power in the Viking world

Fri examines how medieval Icelandic texts imagined valkyries as supernatural arbiters of life and death in battle, and connects those myths to the human costs of warfare. Drawing on historical and archaeological evidence, the book also places women within the power struggles of Viking communities, tracing the varied roles they occupy in the recorded stories. Its focus spans both the social world and the otherworld, making the relationship between myth, gender, and historical evidence central to its account.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in Viking history and medieval Icelandic texts.
  • Readers exploring women’s roles and power in historical societies.
  • Readers interested in how myth represents warfare and its costs.

Themes

Viking womenValkyrie mythsWarfare and its human costsGender and powerHistory and archaeology

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2020 CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE

Valkyries: the female supernatural beings that choose who dies and who lives on the battlefield. They protect some, but guide spears, arrows and sword blades into the bodies of others. Viking myths about valkyries attempt to elevate the banality of war - to make the pain and suffering, the lost limbs and deformities, the piles of lifeless bodies of young men, glorious and worthwhile. Rather than their death being futile, it is their destiny and good fortune, determined by divine beings. The women in these stories take full part in the power struggles and upheavals in their communities, for better or worse.

Drawing on the latest historical and archaeological evidence, Valkyrie introduces readers to the dramatic and fascinating texts recorded in medieval Iceland, a culture able to imagine women in all kinds of roles carrying power, not just in this world, but pulling the strings in the other-world, too. In the process, this fascinating book uncovers the reality behind the myths and legends to reveal the dynamic, diverse lives of Viking women.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

E
AlbakiReads
Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.