THE YEAR OF THE VIKING
The Cast of tasks in Nordic rural society
1.-The working hours of men in the north.
Little is known of the division time of the day the farmer's land in the middle of Viking Age Scandinavia. We take as a reference to "human unit of work" (to call it somehow), the farmer, could be exactly what the sagas has come to us with the name of Karl (free man), or even a traell (the servant so often has led the debate on the presence of social class "slave" in Viking society.
Not go far in this kind of stuff, but if Nordic will use the lower social class, as a prototype to discuss the tasks of the earth, it is the basis of agricultural, fisheries and livestock, which ultimately determine the livelihood of the society of the time, leaving room for the usual activities more typical of higher classes (the Vikings could never be a "poor", build an expedition requires a comprehensive economic montan0te putting it among the Norse adventurer bondis .) In any case, the farmer either self-employed and small bondi on their land, either under the command of a landowner, or the status of traell, the interests us because he is, who performs basic tasks, which ultimately came bounding the year of Viking.
Let us therefore analyze the day of the farmer, at the base of the social pyramid. He got up very early, RISMAL (approx 6 hours), testified that there was not the custom of making a toilet morning, except on Saturday vatdagr (laundry day). At the beginning of the day, the farmer took care of the first day's work, as might be milking the cattle for fresh milk, have the tools to go to work the fields, or put wooden bells before removing the fold to pasture, perhaps this early hour output was the fishermen for fishing morning. And of course, the withdrawal of the guard in the boer (large farms) more affluent, as the northern winter nights ago unsafe.
In DAGMÁL (9h), used to stop to take the first (and more consistent) meals a day, equivalent to our breakfast, or Dögverdr Dagverdr, food used to be the basis for coping with the day, so in a practice that has remained to this day, breakfast was usually strong, because, to dinner, not fashionable to take another good meal.
The day passed without other individuals, to the HÁDEGI (12h) or EYKT (15h), where be used to make a break for a light the Grätverdr (of Gräutr, a potato semolina grain that was the dish worker par excellence). MID Aptana (18h), marked the mid-afternoon, it used to work until sunset, which is used to gather for dinner in NÁTMÁL Nattverdr (21h). Dinner used to be heavy, to regain strength later in the day. On occasion, waking stretched to the edge of NOTT MID (24), especially in winter, where the harsh climate discouraged up very early, and the style is both festive evenings, and work. The Otta is what we would call themselves "am", some scholars say that hours of the morning were divided into 2 shifts on duty, but has not transcended if the hours of the morning received any special name. In any case, the sagas tell us about working evenings (spinning, tanning, carving) in which they used to tell stories to accompany the task,
2 .- Dry season: Say
Norse distinguished only two stations the year the dry season or summer and winter. These stations were called Misseri, and although there were expressions to refer to the Spring (var) and chores (varünn) and winter (haustral), was not the norm and measure time. Were counted weeks "moons" and years "winters." Eventually referred to "spring" to refer to the outputs in issue (it was time to embark) or, as is still customary to refer to the age of a young woman or the life of a cow, which is also counted by "spring."
began to weave the story of the activities of Misseri spring-summer, in mid April, it was learned that early onset of spring as Gaukmánadr (month of the Cuckoo), as this bird announcing the decline of snow and the time to take the cattle to fresh pastures sprout. Sad is also the Tid, time of planting. Fields are being cleared with a plow simple (ardr) or more were delayed, and with that of the plow, probably imported from Saxon lands (plógr). Proceeds to the flight of cereal planting early, usually barley fields of barley, which will allow proper grind fine flour to make cakes of crusty bread or beer. They also plant oats and rye, rarely, some really tough wheat variety, almost unknown in these lands and certainly appreciated. After the plowing was the raking and seeding as we have said, perhaps some kind of vegetable planting tempranera.
also is starting extraction of peat (used in construction) and we start to gather wood, and prepare charcoal. It is also time to repair winter damage, repairing the walls of the fields and flocks barriers. Also this is the time of the subscriber of the fields and collecting and drying seaweed for this purpose. Also begin preparations for the boat to start the season fishing and trading expeditions or looting. Is "open season" little white admiral, "a butterfly that appears only in peaceful periods in spring, and thus indicates the ideal time for departure in expeditions.
Thus, we will go closer to May, most notably the Egg Tid, time of collection of eggs, fed up with dangerous operation, and is trying to climb the cliffs with ropes to access the nests of seabirds. The eggs were really appreciated and certainly, we know that there was a festival dedicated exclusively to this activity with the younger competitions and daring, who used to entertain the girls most blessed with this precious delicacy. The Stekkid is the time of breeding of sheep and the shearing season, which also favored social gathering and subsequent celebration. More serious is the Löggardsonn, time to repair the legal limits of each property, which is not always developed in an entirely peaceful., Though, move the legal framework of land or knock down any barrier was between these people a punishable offense.
A measured in the month of June, there is transhumance of livestock to pasture and high dependency of sel, an area in the mountains, where for several months, part of farmers grazing their cattle live, and producing cheese and butter . It is also the moment of game hunting with dogs or falconry, much appreciated by the people of the north. And indeed, the small fishing season to dry or hunting of whales, by this time, is also preparing the Togt, ie commercial expedition or looting a rare celebration is held on the shore, where fishermen and sailors, walk a labyrinth paths with boulders, still visible in some northern areas. It is believed that this was a ritual to bring about the calm and not "lost" at sea, in the frequent fog in the north. So one of the kenning of the ocean is "the labyrinth of salt."
Solmanardr is the (month of the sun) and certainly celebrate the event, as well as prepare the most important event of the year, the meeting of thing. It is in this event, where aside to settle all legal matters and arrange all sorts of social arrangements (weddings, pacts, exchanges of children in the habit of Fostr), according to which the children were left to care for other family friends for a season. Also, looking for partners and are recruited to face and arms in the upcoming month of July, the Heyannir, mowing hay, so vital to the livelihood of the cattle in winter, the whole arm will be little to engage in this laborious task ... It is often necessary and vital to confuse this activity with the Kornkurdamánadr (the month of short grain), which falls more or less in August and part of September ... this season especially industrious in gathering the harvest and haymaking, Tvi called Mánardr (season two), and comprise the period from July to September, where all efforts are focused on collecting the fruit of the earth for winter now close and often collaborate arms farms to be sufficient to address assignments on time.
3 .- The winter Misseri:
More or less, to the end of September begins Haústrmánadr (the autumn-winter months), with scattered cattle meeting the rett, barnyard community, which rarely happens in a peaceful, livestock has spread to great distances and sometimes actually causes it to impersonate picaresque marks each response, to appropriate foreign cattle, which creates quite a few conflicts. Is the time of slaughter and salted or frozen meat. Past efforts to complete the provision of hay in the face of the collection of cattle in the stables, also goes hunting with bow or spear, and a redoubling of efforts to increase production the skreidd (strips of beef or smoked or dried fish). Hunting birds with a net and outputs to procure meat and walrus ivory and furs.
is in these months when the first storm, the sea washed ashore the remains of a whale or boat and disputes arising from your property. The Reki is perfectly reflected in Nordic law, but this does not detract from conflicts disputes these gifts from the sea, are relatively common.
and October is the month of receipt (Gormánadr), time of celebration and Vertmaetr (three nights of winter), which is used to celebrate weddings, birthdays or other important event. It also finalized preparations for the winter chill is already ahead.
The following months will be gathering at the farm, devoted to domestic tasks such as spinning Vadmall the coarse heavy woolen fabric became so important that it was used for currency and for payment of debts, the tissue ( Nordic women were great experts in the manufacture of large tapestries and also the fani, banners clan relatives who came to be a valuable asset), leather tanning (work with leather and footwear manufacturing was much appreciated European markets), repair and build kitchen and farm implements, blacksmith (weapons and farming tools and household), forging and jewelry and carved and worked wood and bone, or the work of amber (highly valued in the gold) or even construction of ships in the shipyard (naustr). Also missing leisure activities such as gambling tables, or quite frequently chess or dice gambling. If time permits, you can go hunting with sled or skis or snowshoes or fish in holes in the ice ... despite the adverse weather, the winters are far too busy.
also highlighted in the winter festivities Glima challenges (a kind of wrestling Nordic), or bets on horses, a species known as ölhestridr race where the winner won his weight in fresh beer (This custom survived until at least the seventeenth century), the race was pretty violent, with continual blows between the riders, and it was a sign of prestige for a jarl qye their champion won the competition. Hestavig was also popular, horse fighting, where value of everything from kicking to biting, and could only be one of the two horses standing. These competitions were part of the celebrations of the Jol 13 nights, which also were common archery tournaments or launch Geirr (javelin), or even swimming, if we take into account the temperature of the water, winning a these tests in honor of the gods, was a feat worthy of being highlighted by the scald. Bowling and a kind of bowls were also popular in computer games, though, the most popular knattleikr could have been a team game ball and a club, a predecessor of baseball or cricket, extremely violent, apparently, it was travel a considerable distance by hitting the ball with a wooden mallet, while the other team, trying to pick it up. Crossed bets so big that there is even a legend that tells of a war between two fjords konungr not to accept the outcome of the game. The nature of these games and tournaments, could have been sacred, and organize these games was for a potentate, a high honor, and great was the glory of the winners of each clan and powerful gambling cross-
There will also be time for the study of runes and purely intellectual pursuits, with the recitation of poems and narrative sagas in the long winter evenings ...
These months of imprisonment by the rigors of winter, are rather curious names, such as Freyrmánadr (Frey month) or Ylir in November, Htútmánadr (month of the kid), or Jólmánadr mörgr (Jol month) in December, which celebrates the winter solstice. Thorri would be a celebration in honor of a fertility god on January 15 and the feast of Goi serious in early February. Einmánadr (month only) in early March ...
The celebration is more Jölv significant for the winter months, we celebrate the Night Mother and festivities in honor of Dísir and Alfar (Alfablót and Disablót) are the Trettondagen, the 13 nights (which would be the Christian Epiphany). At this time, it is customary to consume and Jölkinka Jölaol (beer and typical ham this season).
Finally, there is sometimes a period of 5 to 7 days of "summer setting" the Sumarauki, they just approaching the lunar cycles of the year this scheme ....
The Cast of tasks in Nordic rural society
1.-The working hours of men in the north.
Little is known of the division time of the day the farmer's land in the middle of Viking Age Scandinavia. We take as a reference to "human unit of work" (to call it somehow), the farmer, could be exactly what the sagas has come to us with the name of Karl (free man), or even a traell (the servant so often has led the debate on the presence of social class "slave" in Viking society.
Not go far in this kind of stuff, but if Nordic will use the lower social class, as a prototype to discuss the tasks of the earth, it is the basis of agricultural, fisheries and livestock, which ultimately determine the livelihood of the society of the time, leaving room for the usual activities more typical of higher classes (the Vikings could never be a "poor", build an expedition requires a comprehensive economic montan0te putting it among the Norse adventurer bondis .) In any case, the farmer either self-employed and small bondi on their land, either under the command of a landowner, or the status of traell, the interests us because he is, who performs basic tasks, which ultimately came bounding the year of Viking.
Let us therefore analyze the day of the farmer, at the base of the social pyramid. He got up very early, RISMAL (approx 6 hours), testified that there was not the custom of making a toilet morning, except on Saturday vatdagr (laundry day). At the beginning of the day, the farmer took care of the first day's work, as might be milking the cattle for fresh milk, have the tools to go to work the fields, or put wooden bells before removing the fold to pasture, perhaps this early hour output was the fishermen for fishing morning. And of course, the withdrawal of the guard in the boer (large farms) more affluent, as the northern winter nights ago unsafe.
In DAGMÁL (9h), used to stop to take the first (and more consistent) meals a day, equivalent to our breakfast, or Dögverdr Dagverdr, food used to be the basis for coping with the day, so in a practice that has remained to this day, breakfast was usually strong, because, to dinner, not fashionable to take another good meal.
The day passed without other individuals, to the HÁDEGI (12h) or EYKT (15h), where be used to make a break for a light the Grätverdr (of Gräutr, a potato semolina grain that was the dish worker par excellence). MID Aptana (18h), marked the mid-afternoon, it used to work until sunset, which is used to gather for dinner in NÁTMÁL Nattverdr (21h). Dinner used to be heavy, to regain strength later in the day. On occasion, waking stretched to the edge of NOTT MID (24), especially in winter, where the harsh climate discouraged up very early, and the style is both festive evenings, and work. The Otta is what we would call themselves "am", some scholars say that hours of the morning were divided into 2 shifts on duty, but has not transcended if the hours of the morning received any special name. In any case, the sagas tell us about working evenings (spinning, tanning, carving) in which they used to tell stories to accompany the task,
2 .- Dry season: Say
Norse distinguished only two stations the year the dry season or summer and winter. These stations were called Misseri, and although there were expressions to refer to the Spring (var) and chores (varünn) and winter (haustral), was not the norm and measure time. Were counted weeks "moons" and years "winters." Eventually referred to "spring" to refer to the outputs in issue (it was time to embark) or, as is still customary to refer to the age of a young woman or the life of a cow, which is also counted by "spring."
began to weave the story of the activities of Misseri spring-summer, in mid April, it was learned that early onset of spring as Gaukmánadr (month of the Cuckoo), as this bird announcing the decline of snow and the time to take the cattle to fresh pastures sprout. Sad is also the Tid, time of planting. Fields are being cleared with a plow simple (ardr) or more were delayed, and with that of the plow, probably imported from Saxon lands (plógr). Proceeds to the flight of cereal planting early, usually barley fields of barley, which will allow proper grind fine flour to make cakes of crusty bread or beer. They also plant oats and rye, rarely, some really tough wheat variety, almost unknown in these lands and certainly appreciated. After the plowing was the raking and seeding as we have said, perhaps some kind of vegetable planting tempranera.
also is starting extraction of peat (used in construction) and we start to gather wood, and prepare charcoal. It is also time to repair winter damage, repairing the walls of the fields and flocks barriers. Also this is the time of the subscriber of the fields and collecting and drying seaweed for this purpose. Also begin preparations for the boat to start the season fishing and trading expeditions or looting. Is "open season" little white admiral, "a butterfly that appears only in peaceful periods in spring, and thus indicates the ideal time for departure in expeditions.
Thus, we will go closer to May, most notably the Egg Tid, time of collection of eggs, fed up with dangerous operation, and is trying to climb the cliffs with ropes to access the nests of seabirds. The eggs were really appreciated and certainly, we know that there was a festival dedicated exclusively to this activity with the younger competitions and daring, who used to entertain the girls most blessed with this precious delicacy. The Stekkid is the time of breeding of sheep and the shearing season, which also favored social gathering and subsequent celebration. More serious is the Löggardsonn, time to repair the legal limits of each property, which is not always developed in an entirely peaceful., Though, move the legal framework of land or knock down any barrier was between these people a punishable offense.
A measured in the month of June, there is transhumance of livestock to pasture and high dependency of sel, an area in the mountains, where for several months, part of farmers grazing their cattle live, and producing cheese and butter . It is also the moment of game hunting with dogs or falconry, much appreciated by the people of the north. And indeed, the small fishing season to dry or hunting of whales, by this time, is also preparing the Togt, ie commercial expedition or looting a rare celebration is held on the shore, where fishermen and sailors, walk a labyrinth paths with boulders, still visible in some northern areas. It is believed that this was a ritual to bring about the calm and not "lost" at sea, in the frequent fog in the north. So one of the kenning of the ocean is "the labyrinth of salt."
Solmanardr is the (month of the sun) and certainly celebrate the event, as well as prepare the most important event of the year, the meeting of thing. It is in this event, where aside to settle all legal matters and arrange all sorts of social arrangements (weddings, pacts, exchanges of children in the habit of Fostr), according to which the children were left to care for other family friends for a season. Also, looking for partners and are recruited to face and arms in the upcoming month of July, the Heyannir, mowing hay, so vital to the livelihood of the cattle in winter, the whole arm will be little to engage in this laborious task ... It is often necessary and vital to confuse this activity with the Kornkurdamánadr (the month of short grain), which falls more or less in August and part of September ... this season especially industrious in gathering the harvest and haymaking, Tvi called Mánardr (season two), and comprise the period from July to September, where all efforts are focused on collecting the fruit of the earth for winter now close and often collaborate arms farms to be sufficient to address assignments on time.
3 .- The winter Misseri:
More or less, to the end of September begins Haústrmánadr (the autumn-winter months), with scattered cattle meeting the rett, barnyard community, which rarely happens in a peaceful, livestock has spread to great distances and sometimes actually causes it to impersonate picaresque marks each response, to appropriate foreign cattle, which creates quite a few conflicts. Is the time of slaughter and salted or frozen meat. Past efforts to complete the provision of hay in the face of the collection of cattle in the stables, also goes hunting with bow or spear, and a redoubling of efforts to increase production the skreidd (strips of beef or smoked or dried fish). Hunting birds with a net and outputs to procure meat and walrus ivory and furs.
is in these months when the first storm, the sea washed ashore the remains of a whale or boat and disputes arising from your property. The Reki is perfectly reflected in Nordic law, but this does not detract from conflicts disputes these gifts from the sea, are relatively common.
and October is the month of receipt (Gormánadr), time of celebration and Vertmaetr (three nights of winter), which is used to celebrate weddings, birthdays or other important event. It also finalized preparations for the winter chill is already ahead.
The following months will be gathering at the farm, devoted to domestic tasks such as spinning Vadmall the coarse heavy woolen fabric became so important that it was used for currency and for payment of debts, the tissue ( Nordic women were great experts in the manufacture of large tapestries and also the fani, banners clan relatives who came to be a valuable asset), leather tanning (work with leather and footwear manufacturing was much appreciated European markets), repair and build kitchen and farm implements, blacksmith (weapons and farming tools and household), forging and jewelry and carved and worked wood and bone, or the work of amber (highly valued in the gold) or even construction of ships in the shipyard (naustr). Also missing leisure activities such as gambling tables, or quite frequently chess or dice gambling. If time permits, you can go hunting with sled or skis or snowshoes or fish in holes in the ice ... despite the adverse weather, the winters are far too busy.
also highlighted in the winter festivities Glima challenges (a kind of wrestling Nordic), or bets on horses, a species known as ölhestridr race where the winner won his weight in fresh beer (This custom survived until at least the seventeenth century), the race was pretty violent, with continual blows between the riders, and it was a sign of prestige for a jarl qye their champion won the competition. Hestavig was also popular, horse fighting, where value of everything from kicking to biting, and could only be one of the two horses standing. These competitions were part of the celebrations of the Jol 13 nights, which also were common archery tournaments or launch Geirr (javelin), or even swimming, if we take into account the temperature of the water, winning a these tests in honor of the gods, was a feat worthy of being highlighted by the scald. Bowling and a kind of bowls were also popular in computer games, though, the most popular knattleikr could have been a team game ball and a club, a predecessor of baseball or cricket, extremely violent, apparently, it was travel a considerable distance by hitting the ball with a wooden mallet, while the other team, trying to pick it up. Crossed bets so big that there is even a legend that tells of a war between two fjords konungr not to accept the outcome of the game. The nature of these games and tournaments, could have been sacred, and organize these games was for a potentate, a high honor, and great was the glory of the winners of each clan and powerful gambling cross-
There will also be time for the study of runes and purely intellectual pursuits, with the recitation of poems and narrative sagas in the long winter evenings ...
These months of imprisonment by the rigors of winter, are rather curious names, such as Freyrmánadr (Frey month) or Ylir in November, Htútmánadr (month of the kid), or Jólmánadr mörgr (Jol month) in December, which celebrates the winter solstice. Thorri would be a celebration in honor of a fertility god on January 15 and the feast of Goi serious in early February. Einmánadr (month only) in early March ...
The celebration is more Jölv significant for the winter months, we celebrate the Night Mother and festivities in honor of Dísir and Alfar (Alfablót and Disablót) are the Trettondagen, the 13 nights (which would be the Christian Epiphany). At this time, it is customary to consume and Jölkinka Jölaol (beer and typical ham this season).
Finally, there is sometimes a period of 5 to 7 days of "summer setting" the Sumarauki, they just approaching the lunar cycles of the year this scheme ....
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