Gunhildr Freysdottir of the Nordic Kingdoms

This is an attempt at drawing of a Female Warrior from the historically wrong series, based on the Scandinavian Vikings in the Middle ages. Since Vikings were probably the most well known of all the warriors in the history, this took me some considerable time dwelling on the various Danish and Norse sagas to learn what the vikings were like in those time.

Media often depicted them as either savages of plunders, or fearless warriors race with suicidal tendencies. While it's true that historical accounts did note them as invaders and plunderers, spreading terrors with their long ships and berserkers, in fact, the Vikings were actually some of the world's best seafarers, merchants, artisans and warriors.

Their culture varies from different tribes, but on general level each and everyone of their members, men and women, were trained in various arts of weapon fighting with swords and spear or axes. Some of their craftsmen also produced beautifully designed long ships, weapons and jewelries, something that would put a surprise to the skeptics of those time who viewed them less than "Barbaric Savages". Women took part in the battle as well, often serving alongside their spouse as shield-maidens, a practice common to each layers of their society.

Contrary to the popular belief, the Vikings did not wear Horned/winged Helmets except for few ceremonial purposes. It served little practical purpose and the pointy end of the horns would have had greater risk injuring the users. Swords and spears were used widely, and in those times, given the level of technology, the swords were unbalanced and heavy, akin like holding a club. Axes were used by the strongest and the most daring of fighters, given that axes provides tremendous offensive and terror advantages at the cost of lacking in the defense department (Shields can be used, unless one is carrying the great long two handed-axe). Given their choice of weapons, it was strength that commonly won the battle at that time.

Frankly speaking, the Vikings were also some of the most hygienic people compare to the rest of Europe. They take bath every Saturday and regularly combs their hair, as opposed to the Franks and Saxons who probably bathe once or twice in 3 months (although, they did wash their undergarments regularly). The reason being, for the christened Europe at that time, bathing was considered sinful, as they viewed it a decadent practice done by the Romans and also because they were lacking in facilities and resources to support communal bathing house. Scandinavia and eastern Europe on the other hand, had plenty of running waters and forests to support this hygienic activities.

In this drawing, the character is named Gunhildr Freysdottir av Rogalan, a Women who ran her own mercenary company of raiders and looters , often employed by the neighboring kingdoms. She is dressed in Nordic mail shirt and Nordic helmet worn by chieftains of those time. She carried the Large Shield and is equipped with a danish bearded axe, a viking sword and throwing spears.


Inspired by the music: Andreas Waldetoft - We Are Norse

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oSoBC…