The Myth of Long Hair

In the polarized gender Viking society, only women had long hair, and men had short hair.

Some Norsemen did have long hair indeed. It is expected in a tribal culture to have cultural variations between areas or even tribes. However, long hair was not a normal or a cultural pattern for males during the Viking age, especially those involved in raiding, and thus, combat.

While men invariably wore a beard, they were also well groomed, which typic…