Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World
Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World is a monthly podcast that takes a deep dive into the lives of women in the Viking Age, exploring their roles, experiences, and contributions to Norse society. Hosted by fiction authors Johanna Wittenberg and K.S. Barton, each episode explores the fascinating stories of Norse women from historical accounts, sagas, and archaeology. From shieldmaidens and queens to farmers and priestesses, we'll uncover the varied and complex roles that women played in Norse culture. Join us as we explore the rich and often overlooked history of Viking women.
Episodes
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk to archaeologist and fellow podcaster, Margrethe Havgar, about the Oseberg ship and the Oseberg tapestry. Margrethe is doing some fascinating work with the tapestry, so it was a fascinating discussion!
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg - www.johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton - www.ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk about the real shield maiden, Lagertha, and how she was portrayed on the TV show, Vikings. We also delve into the character of Aslaug, her saga story, and her story on the show.
**Spoiler Alert!**
*Spoilers: 22:07-44:08
Back to history: 44:08-1:00:26
*Spoilers: 1:00:26 until the end
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg - johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton - ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk with historian Pamela D. Toler, author of the book Women Warriors: An Unexpected History, among many others. We discuss her research for Women Warriors, including her finds that women have been warriors all around the world and in all time periods. We also talk about the controversy surrounding the "Birka Woman" (BJ581).
Links:
Pamela D. Toler - pameladtoler.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk to Megan Formanek, author of the Viking Trading Lands series. We discussed the Eastern trading routes of the Vikings, the Rus, and how those of us in the U.S. and Australia can identify with the adventurous Viking spirit. And much more!
Links:
Megan Formanek - meganformanek.com
YouTube - @Megan.Formanek
Instagram - meganformanekauthor
Johanna Wittenberg - johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton - ksb...
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. interview bestselling author Melanie Karsak! She's recently released the second book in her Vinland to Valhalla series, Sword of a Valkyrie, about Freydis Eriksdottir. Join us as we discuss her books, research, writing process, and much more!
Links:
Melanie Karsak - Melanie Karsak Instagram - karsakmelanie
Facebook - AuthorMelanieKarsak
Johanna Wittenberg - Johanna Wittenberg – Powerful wo...
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. discuss how they take what they've learned in their research and weave it into their novels. They also talk about getting inspiration from some unusual places.
Johanna Wittenberg: johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk with science writer Heather Pringle. In addition to many publications, Heather has written about Vikings in two issues of National Geographic, the most recent in March 2025. We had a fantastic conversation about her recent book The Northwomen and all things Viking women.
*At one point, Heather discusses female slaves. You will be warned before that section occurs. We know that it can be upsett...
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk to Niina Niskanen, a Finnish writer, artist, and folklorist. We chat with Niina about Sami culture and mythology.
Niina Niskanen: @fairychamberart
Johanna Wittenberg: johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk with Nancy Marie Brown, author of The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman, The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women, and many more!
Links:
Nancy Marie Brown: www.nasw.org/users/nmb
Johanna Wittenberg: www.johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: www.ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. chat with each other about their year. They talk about discovery writing, their year in writing, their travels where they visited historical sites (separately), what they've learned in their research lately, and so much more!
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg: Johanna Wittenberg – Powerful women of the Viking Age
K.S. Barton: K.S. Barton Author - Viking stories of love and adventure
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. have a chat with Octavia Randolph, author of the popular Circle of Ceridwen saga.
Octavia Randolph: octavia.net
Johanna Wittenberg: johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. joined with Soul Chaser Becky on her YouTube channel, Valhalla Conversations! Our conversation was about Worthy Women of Sagas and Myth. We had a lively discussion with Johanna, Becky, and K.S. sharing our favorite women from Norse history and mythology.
Johanna Wittenberg: johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: ksbarton.com
Rebecca Hill: linktr.ee/soulchaserbecky
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. talk with archaeologist Marianne Moen, the Head of Department of Archaeology at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo.
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. discuss Viking women who traveled to distant lands, like modern-day Istanbul, and even to North America!
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg: Johanna Wittenberg – Powerful women of the Viking Age K.S. Barton: K.S. Barton Author - Viking stories of love and adventure
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. discuss women's work, of which there was plenty! Brewing beer, spinning wool and flax, weaving, sewing, and any textile work, was the domain of women. Even the sails for the famous Viking longships were made by women, and it could take years to weave just one sail. Join us to learn more!
Johanna Wittenberg: johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. continue their discussion of goddesses in the Norse world.
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg: Johanna Wittenberg – Powerful women of the Viking Age K.S. Barton: K.S. Barton Author - Viking stories of love and adventure
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. discusses goddesses in the Norse world. In part one, they talk about some of the more famous goddesses, like Freya and Frigg, while also discussing some lesser known ones. Did you know Loki had a wife? You'll learn about her in this episode!
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg - johannawittenberg.com K.S. Barton - ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. discuss the four aspects or parts of the Viking's soul: the hamr, hugr, hamingja, and the fylgja. In this belief system, certain people could shape shift into animals and do astral projections; Viking "luck" was something that had agency; and Vikings were all born with a guardian animal. All this and more!
Johanna Wittenberg: johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton: ksbarton.com
It's our one year anniversary! To celebrate the occasion, Johanna and K.S. have a chat about their writing lives - how they came to writing, why they write about Vikings, their research, and much more! Join them for a little peek into how and why they do what they do.
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg - johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton - ksbarton.com
In this episode, Johanna and K.S. continue their discussion of women in Anglo-Saxon England, this time going into more detail about particular women of importance, like Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians and Queen Cynethryth.
Links:
Johanna Wittenberg - johannawittenberg.com
K.S. Barton - K.S. Barton Author - Viking stories of love and adventure
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