Uploaded September 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Vikings have through history been depicted many times as dirty unsophisticated barbarians and an image that is still being used quite often in many of the popular Viking movies. However, this The Vikings are often portrayed as dirty, violent barbarians—but this image does not match the historical sources. In reality, Viking Age Scandinavians were among the most well-groomed people in medieval Europe, and this did not go unnoticed.
Contemporary Christian writers complained openly about Viking hygiene, grooming habits, and appearance. According to medieval sources, Vikings bathed weekly, combed their hair daily, changed their clothes often, and used grooming tools such as combs, razors, tweezers, and ear spoons. These habits made them stand out—especially in Christian Europe, where public bathing was discouraged.
In this video, we look at what the sources actually say. We examine written accounts from figures such as John of Wallingford and Ibn Fadlan, as well as references from Old Norse texts like Hávamál and Völuspá. Together, these sources paint a very different picture of Viking life, personal hygiene, and social norms.
This is not about romanticizing the Vikings, but about correcting a long-standing myth. The stereotype of the filthy Viking survives largely because it fits a simple narrative—not because it is supported by evidence.
If you are interested in Norse mythology, Viking Age culture, and separating myth from history, this video offers a clear, source-based explanation.
Question for you:
Do you think Viking hygiene played a role in how they were viewed—and feared—across Europe?
Links
Full article & sources: skjalden.com
Support Skjalden on Patreon: patreon.com/Skjalden
Facebook: facebook.com/Skjaldenspage
Instagram: instagram.com/skjalden_dk
#Vikings #VikingHistory #NorseMythology #VikingAge #VikingHygiene #VikingWomen #NordicCulture #MedievalHistory #VikingMyths #Skjalden
Photos by Kai-Erik, check out his profile on Flickr, he has many great photos of Vikings for you to enjoy.
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900393632/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36882497046/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36236052754/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36882519076/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36882509066/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900389352/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900386182/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900401852/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/29681384625/in/album-72157671706410640
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/7562228580/in/album-72157630557694256
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/2800413822
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/6193107254/in/album-72157627727681284
/in/photostream/
Photos by Jelling - riget og regenten
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8505613443
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8740835210
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8505613575
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8510192608
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8739716659
The Vikings have through history been depicted many times as dirty unsophisticated barbarians and an image that is still being used quite often in many of the popular Viking movies. However, this The Vikings are often portrayed as dirty, violent barbarians—but this image does not match the historical sources. In reality, Viking Age Scandinavians were among the most well-groomed people in medieval Europe, and this did not go unnoticed.
Contemporary Christian writers complained openly about Viking hygiene, grooming habits, and appearance. According to medieval sources, Vikings bathed weekly, combed their hair daily, changed their clothes often, and used grooming tools such as combs, razors, tweezers, and ear spoons. These habits made them stand out—especially in Christian Europe, where public bathing was discouraged.
In this video, we look at what the sources actually say. We examine written accounts from figures such as John of Wallingford and Ibn Fadlan, as well as references from Old Norse texts like Hávamál and Völuspá. Together, these sources paint a very different picture of Viking life, personal hygiene, and social norms.
This is not about romanticizing the Vikings, but about correcting a long-standing myth. The stereotype of the filthy Viking survives largely because it fits a simple narrative—not because it is supported by evidence.
If you are interested in Norse mythology, Viking Age culture, and separating myth from history, this video offers a clear, source-based explanation.
Question for you:
Do you think Viking hygiene played a role in how they were viewed—and feared—across Europe?
Links
Full article & sources: skjalden.com
Support Skjalden on Patreon: patreon.com/Skjalden
Facebook: facebook.com/Skjaldenspage
Instagram: instagram.com/skjalden_dk
#Vikings #VikingHistory #NorseMythology #VikingAge #VikingHygiene #VikingWomen #NordicCulture #MedievalHistory #VikingMyths #Skjalden
Photos by Kai-Erik, check out his profile on Flickr, he has many great photos of Vikings for you to enjoy.
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900393632/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36882497046/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36236052754/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36882519076/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36882509066/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900389352/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900386182/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/36900401852/in/album-72157684927583752
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/29681384625/in/album-72157671706410640
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/7562228580/in/album-72157630557694256
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/2800413822
flickr.com/photos/kai-erik/6193107254/in/album-72157627727681284
/in/photostream/
Photos by Jelling - riget og regenten
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8505613443
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8740835210
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8505613575
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8510192608
flickr.com/photos/jellingstenen/8739716659
