When you say “Viking” and “Chieftain” in the same sentence, images of powerful men come to mind. You might also conjure a “wild west” style of lawlessness. This perception is well-earned in some cases. Yet, Viking history and their sagas presents a more nuanced picture. One case in point takes us to Iceland. Last week  shared the true tale of Audr the Deep-Minded, an amazing female leader in...

Follow my blog with Bloglovin   This month we’re turning back to the Viking Age with the Jarls, Kings, and Leaders blog series. The first outline I did looked like a Who’s Who of Viking men. And that was my problem. The line-up didn’t feel right. We won’t neglect the men, but I’m not going to start with them.  So, we’re starting with the heart and soul of this series. With Viking women. Get cozy and warm because we’re turning...

  We’ve all heard, “Behind every great man stands a woman.”  I’d push the adage further. Beside every great man stands a great woman.  Especially when it comes to Vikings. Archaeologists have lately declared Viking women fought alongside Viking men — like this is a thrilling revelation. Many assumed the bones found at historical digs belonged to Viking men. Recent DNA tests corrected this.  Turns out a lot...

The Dark Ages. Those times conjure bad images. Disease. Famine. Poverty. When barbarians trounced Rome, a power vacuum hung over Europe. The vast connection of roads once protected by Roman soldiers gave way to outlaws. By the 6th century, the great empire was reduced to a fraction of its might. But, were the Dark Ages so bad? If you travel north, you’ll find the law of primogeniture (the tradition of oldest male relative — ie eldest...

If you’re a woman… People tend to have preconceived notions of a woman’s place in history. Some true, many not. I challenge you to peel back the layers of time. Take another look at people and places worthy of deeper consideration. I write Viking and Georgian romance. Yet, every time I open a non-fiction book on these eras, I discover fascinating nuggets of history. Here are three to consider:   Thralls (slaves) Throw out everything you...