Women in Old Norse Society Book

Jochens' book is an extremely informative treatment of Old Norse culture, specifically women's role in it both before and after Christianity. She explores the ways in which society exhibited both continuum and decisive change in reaction to the new religion, drawing heavily from contemporary sagas, the sagas of the Icelanders, and the old Norse laws. Jochens extrapolates from these sources ' despite, or perhaps because of, a critical stance toward their accuracy ' information about the cultures of Norway and Iceland, beginning in the ancient Germanic past and going forward to the mid-late 1300s. Among the subjects treated are marriage, infidelity, illegitimacy, reproduction, leisure and work, and the homespun standard which was introduced to Iceland as the result of the work of women. Though the prose is at some points dry, Jochens' subject is always interesting and revealing enough to make up for this. Definitely recommended for those interested in Scandinavian history, especially on a cultural or social level.