Thought some of the FWR visitors might be interested in this:
'This lecture will discuss gender roles in the Viking Age, with particular attention to how women and men have been perceived in previous research. Despite much attention, normative and essentialist views of women and men continues to colour interpretations of the primary evidence, be it archaeological or written. Research produced over a long period of time is examined in order to highlight and discuss preconceptions that have influenced the research results. The main focus of the analysis is placed on ‘housewives’ and their assigned roles at the farms, as well women with other roles - in modern research often labelled ‘norm breakers’ - such as ritual specialists, warriors, travellers and settlers. The presentation will end by proposing new approaches to the study of the roles of women and men, stressing that all lives are worthy of examination, regardless of their roles and status, and ability to influence society.'
www.uhi.ac.uk/en/media/events/women-and-men-of-the-viking-age---an-inaugural-professorial-lecture-from-professor-alexandra-sanmark.html