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What economic roles did Viking women perform?
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Viking
Exhumed Viking ship; in the Viking Ship Museum, Oslo, Norway.
Although Viking society was patriarchal, women held significant economic responsibilities and legal rights. They were permitted to own property and initiate divorce, which provided them with a degree of autonomy within their communities.12
Regarding their specific economic roles, women were responsible for managing family finances and overseeing farm operations, particularly when their husbands were away. Additionally, they played a vital role in the production of woolen cloth, which was a key economic activity of the period. While most women focused on these domestic and agricultural management tasks, some exceptional individuals also assumed leadership roles within their home communities.213