Social Classes

Question 1

What were Viking warrior chieftains called?

Answer 1

Konungr

Question 2

What were the three main social groups of Vikings

Answer 2

Jarls, Karls, Thralls

Question 3

What were Jarls?

Answer 3

Viking social class made up of powerful noble men who were wealthy, wore fine clothes and jewellery and lived in large long houses

Question 4

What were Karls?

Answer 4

The majority of the population who were free people and were loyal to a jarl or king. They were farmers, craftsmen and merchants

Question 5

What were thralls?

Answer 5

The Viking social class made up of slaves, prisoners of war, criminals and the poor. They did most of the hard work and labour but most were treated well

Question 6

What was a Viking woman’s main duty?

Answer 6

To look after the children and manage the home

Question 7

What is the boundary between the men’s and women’s social roles?

Answer 7

The threshold of the home

Question 8

Why were Viking women typically independent people?

Answer 8

With their husbands so frequently away, they had to keep things running smoothly at home

Question 9

What did Viking women wear to keep up their aprons?

Answer 9

Broaches

Question 10

How were noble Vikings clothes different from peasants?

Answer 10

They were made more finely and more colourful

Question 11

What happened in the areas of Denmark, Sweden and Norway in the mid 11th century?

Answer 11

They were each ruled by one king