[MR] National Geographic: Viking Women Warriors

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today's commentary hopefully has special resonance to our female members,
especially those who practice warlike arts. The March 2025 issue of *National
Geographic* has a wonderful feature article about Viking women as warriors.

The story begins with the famous Birka Man, a warrior who was buried with a
wide assortment of death-dealing weapons, and the skeletons of two horses.
When the grave was discovered in 1877, the occupant was pronounced as a
male. However, more recent examination of the bones showed definite female
anatomy. In 2017, DNA was extracted from the skeleton, and it proved
conclusively that the grave contained a woman.

The article goes on to illustrate that women as Viking warriors, and
military leaders, were not all that uncommon. Not only does the article
make a case for warrior women, but it develops that idea the Birka Man . .
. er . . . Woman was a skilled equestrian, and also a skilled archer. An
additional sub-theme is the presence of powerful female sorceresses and
seers in Viking society.

The article is lavishly illustrated with conjectural paintings, and
photographs of Viking weapons and other goodies, that should be of interest
to us all.

In case you don't subscribe to *National Geographic*, you can usually find
the magazine in most public libraries. I believe individual copies are also
available at some bookstores and newsstands.

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.