The Viking Herald

Wool straight from the sheep, shown here with traditional shears, was the base material for vaðmál.

Woven into law: What a piece of cloth tells us about the economy, gender relations, and power of women in Viking Age Iceland

Once the main export of the Icelandic Commonwealth, vaðmál, a standardized woolen cloth, had a surprising economic, social, and even legal role. Let us regale you with a yarn (pun intended) about this Viking textile.

1 year ago — Trade

Vaðmál production

Woven into law: What a piece of cloth tells us about the economy, gender relations, and power of women in Viking Age Iceland