The annals of Viking history are teeming with tales of powerful kings who left their mark on the pages of time. However, recent research has illuminated the often overlooked stories of Viking women who wielded significant influence as rulers. Among these remarkable women, Queen Thyra emerges as a figure of exceptional significance. Analyzing four recently discovered runestones that bear her name, scholars have connected the dots to unveil a vivid portrait of a Viking queen whose strength and impact surpassed even that of her celebrated contemporaries.
The Runestones Speak
During the Viking Age, a period spanning from approximately 800 to 1050, the seafaring peoples of Scandinavia expanded their reach across Europe through trade and conquest. As part of their rich culture, Vikings erected imposing runestones to commemorate important individuals who had passed away. These stones, adorned with vibrant colors, were strategically placed in high-traffic areas for all to see. In Denmark alone, approximately 250 runestones from the Viking Age have been documented.
The royal seat of Denmark during this era was Jelling, and it is here that archaeologists uncovered the first traces of Queen Thyra. Two runestones were discovered in this region, each bearing her name and honoring her memory. One, commissioned by her husband King Gorm, pays tribute to Thyra as "Denmark's strength and salvation." The other, commissioned by her son King Harald Bluetooth, lauds her as "his mother" and credits him with unifying Denmark and Norway while converting the Danes to Christianity.
Beyond Jelling, two more runestones were identified in the Danish towns of Bække and Læborg, which mentioned both Queen Thyra and a runestone carver named Ravnunge-Tue. The Læborg runestone referred to Thyra as "his lady" or "his queen." Scholars once debated whether these references were to the same Queen Thyra from the Jelling runestones. However, through meticulous 3D scanning, researchers have made a compelling case that these inscriptions allude to the same remarkable Viking queen.
A RUNESTONE COMMEMORATING QUEEN THYRA, CREDIT: ROBERTO FORTUNA, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DENMARK
Queen Thyra's Pervasive Influence
The significance of Queen Thyra's legacy becomes apparent when one considers that her name appears on more runestones than any other individual in Viking-Age Denmark, surpassing the mentions of her famous son, King Harald Bluetooth. This revelation suggests that Queen Thyra played an instrumental role in the formation of Denmark, a role that had been previously underestimated.
Lisbeth M. Imer, a senior researcher at the National Museum of Denmark and the lead author of the groundbreaking research, explains, "Political and administrative life in Viking-Age Denmark was dominated by men, but it seems that some women also had power." This discovery challenges the perception of the Viking Age as a male-dominated society and highlights the presence of elite women, particularly those from royal families, in positions of power and influence.
Nevertheless, Queen Thyra's specific role remains elusive due to the scarcity of primary sources. The four runestones that mention her represent the only known Viking-Age sources that reference this queen. However, early 13th-century historians in Denmark described her as a wise and resourceful queen, drawing upon an oral tradition about Thyra's life that has since been lost to history.
In the 19th century, Queen Thyra was celebrated as a heroic figure in Danish history, often hailed as the "mother of the nation." Late 12th-century historians Sven Aggesen and Saxo Grammaticus attributed the construction of the Danevirke, a series of fortifications defending Denmark's southern borders, to Queen Thyra. In contrast, King Gorm, her husband, who is only commemorated on a single runestone commissioned by Harald, was described as weak and indolent.
A Broader Perspective
The revelation of Queen Thyra's prominence paves the way for reconsidering the role of other elite Viking women who may have held significant political power during their time. Lisbeth M. Imer aptly advises that in our study of the Viking Age, "we shouldn't rule out the possibility of women being able to hold power in their own right."
As we delve deeper into the annals of Viking history, Queen Thyra's story serves as a testament to the remarkable women who, despite facing a male-dominated societal landscape, managed to carve out their own path and leave an indelible mark on the world. The Viking Age continues to reveal its secrets, reminding us that history is a tapestry woven not only by kings but also by formidable queens like Thyra, whose strength and influence have resurfaced from the mists of time.
