This Viking Saga Documents Gender Variance in Old Norse Society
The Laxdæla Saga, a 13th-century Icelandic text, provides insights into gender variance during the Viking Age. This saga proves that there were transgender individuals in medieval Scandinavia.
The saga details instances of crossdressing and the associated social stigma, illustrating that gender nonconformity existed over a millennium ago. It presents two key female characters, Gudrun and Aud.
Gudrun, described as the most beautiful and wisest woman in Iceland, uses her cunning to manipulate her circumstances. She orchestrates her divorce by accusing her husband, Thorvald, of wearing a low-cut shirt, a garment associated with women, thereby stigmatizing him.
The saga also addresses the concept of transgender masculinity through Aud, who is accused of wearing trousers, a garment designated for men. This accusation leads to her husband, Thord, divorcing her. Aud later retaliates by attacking Thord, demonstrating her resilience and challenging traditional gender norms. The author of the saga seems to imply that she is, indeed, wearing trousers.
The Laxdæla Saga's portrayal of gender variance is not isolated. Archaeological evidence, such as the Birka warrior burial in Sweden, supports the existence of transgender individuals in Viking society. The grave, initially assumed to belong to a male warrior due to the presence of weapons and armor, was later found through DNA testing to be that of a biological female. There are also graves where “biologically male” Vikings are buried in female clothing and jewelry.
These historical accounts, combined with the saga's narrative, underscore the presence and acceptance of gender variance in Viking culture.
Over at Crossdreamers we have published a more detailed analysis of the saga, associated history and archeology, and the way the possibly female author seems to sympathize with the transmasculine Aud.
Click here to read it: “Were There Transgender Vikings? The Laxdæla Saga Says So.”
You can read my translation of the relevant part of the saga here: “The Laxdæla Saga on Gender Variance”
Photo: Gettys
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