Exploring the social class system of Vikings

The history of the Vikings is something that draws millions of visitors to Norway every year in order to see things like the Viking Ship Museum. Although it is possible to see fictionalized accounts of Vikings in numerous TV shows and movies, a great opportunities to actually learn about the Vikings is to book a fjord tour in Norway and visit some of the historic sites they once ruled.

Luckily, there is no shortage of Viking history throughout the country and it is possible for visitors to easily become immersed in the world of this ancient race. One of the many things that can be learned through the various educational activities in Norway is the structure of the social class system that they once used. It resembled a lot of the other class systems that existed during the same time period, except, of course, the Vikings put their own unique spin on it.

Three Class Systems

For most of the Viking age, there were only three societal classes. They consisted of thrall, karl, and jarl. However, later in the second half of the Viking Age, there developed a new social class tier that consisted of kings and queens. Although these classes were fairly concrete with a clear divide throughout society, it was possible for individuals to move up and down between the defined classes. This was usually a direct result of the actions of the individual and whether they were viewed as honorable or not.

Thrall

The thrall were slaves - the absolute lowest position that someone could have within Viking society. These individuals had absolutely no rights under the law and were frequently sold as a form of currency during transactions.

The people who belonged to this class could have gained their status in a variety of ways. The most common one was to simply be born as the child of a slave, which automatically put them in this class. However, there was also the possibility of someone becoming a slave due to being captured in war or losing enough wealth that they could essentially no longer fend for themselves.

Karl

Karl sat just above the thrall but shared many similarities in their lifestyles. The main distinction between the two societal classes was that the Karl was considered free and had full protection under Viking law. This allowed them to do things like own farmland and become Viking warriors. In fact, the vast majority of warriors were from the Karl class and worked as farmers when they were not on raids.

Jarl

At the top of the hierarchy was the class known as Jarl, which was essentially earls. These individuals were often quite wealthy and did not need to perform any hard labor throughout their life. They did tend to participate in battles and raids but often did so as chieftains and warlords rather than standard warriors.

Even once the fourth class of kings and queens emerged later in the Viking Age, Jarl still remained very well-respected and wealthy. The only difference was that there were now not the most powerful group in Viking society and were frequently tasked with personally overseeing large sections of land for the King’s use.

Using the three-class system, the Vikings organized every member of their society into one of them and interacted with one another based on their assigned social roles. If you’re interested in learning more about some of the most ruggedly spectacular figures in history, book your adventure to Norway here.

Travel in the footsteps of the Vikings

If you are interested in experiencing nature and landscapes where the Vikings roamed, check out one of these tours.

Norway in a Nutshell®

Norway's most popular and famous tour

Our most popular tour shows you the very best of Norway. See the stunning UNESCO-listed fjords. Ride the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, two of the world's most scenic railway lines.

From 1600 NOK

View map

Sognefjord in a Nutshell™

A relaxing cruise on the magnificent Sognefjord

Enjoy a fjord cruise on the spectacular Sognefjord, the second longest fjord in the world. Experience two of the world’s most beautiful train rides, the Flåm Railway and Bergen Railway.

From 2205 NOK

View map

Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell™

Scenic Hardangerfjord and the Vøringsfossen waterfall

Discover the exceptional beauty of the Hardangerfjord, one of Norway's premier destinations, on this tour. Explore local life, visit fjord villages and experience famous waterfalls.

From 3120 NOK

View map

Get active like the Vikings

Vikings

Welcome to a captivating exploration of the legendary Vikings in Norway!

The history of Norwegian Vikings

Though the Vikings lived long ago, their strong legacy lives on and there’s no shortage of interest in their history and traditions. There are plenty of ways for interested travellers to experience Viking life and traditions in modern Norway. For history buffs and families with kids, a trip to Norway is a fantastic way to explore Viking history – all over the country, you’ll find museums, tours, Viking villages and more just waiting to be discovered.

Viking villages in Norway

It’s no secret that there’s a strong Viking history in Norway. Even though the Viking era came to an end during the 11th century, the legacy of Vikings lives on. For those interested in learning more about Viking history, culture and tradition, there are several attractions ranging from museums and historical sites to Viking villages that bring history to life and give you a sense of stepping back in time to the Viking Age.

Viking Travels

Many tourists who travel to Norway are eager to learn more about the history of the Vikings. And, we can’t blame them. The Vikings were fascinating, complex people. Although they are primarily known as fierce warriors, they also engaged in trade and transport across much of Europe and built incredibly advanced ships that fascinate historians to this day. Here is some of what we know about how and where the Vikings traveled during the late 8th to the 11th century.

Medieval Viking feasts

A feast is a huge celebratory dinner with everything served in abundance. The Vikings were famed for their glutinous indulgence of food and habit of eagerly drinking beer or mead wine with every meal.

Learn more about the Vikings