| Konung |
Also known as Konungr. Corresponds to the King of a Viking society. It was a hereditary position or elected by the majority of the people at the Thing, where they could also be removed. |
| Dróttning |
Also known as Drottning. Corresponds to the Queen in Viking society. The Dróttning was not inferior to the Konung, she held the same rank of authority and weight in decisions. If the Konung died and the Dróttning still lived, it would be she who would then rule. |
| Jarl |
Corresponds to the Viking Chief, appointed by the people and the Konung. They were in charge of large areas, villages, and in the service of a Konung. The Jarl could be removed by the people at a Thing just like the Konung, if his work was not well accepted or if the Konung noticed he was not training the required warriors. |
| Hersir |
A Hersir was a chief general of a Hundrad (a large troop), who was in the service of a Jarl. |
| Goði |
Chief and priest in one: political and religious leader of a district (goðorð), in charge of the temple, the sacrifices and of guiding his followers at the Thing. In Iceland, where there was no king or jarls, the goðar were the highest authority. |
| Lendr maðr |
Member of the high landed aristocracy, holding estates by hereditary right (odal) and swearing direct allegiance to the Konung. Together with the hölðar they formed the nobility of blood, above the common karl, and provided men and ships to the king's fleet. |
| Stallari |
The king's marshal: his second in command on campaign and one of the only two formal military offices. He arrayed the army for battle and enforced the Konung's orders on the field. |
| Styrsman |
Corresponds to the captain, helmsman and military commander of a Viking vessel. He was not a mere navigator, but a high-ranking officer who was usually the owner of the ship or a wealthy landowner who swore allegiance to a Jarl or a Konung. He guided the ship by reading the signs of nature, oversaw its construction and maintenance, secured the crew's supplies and held absolute command in battle, enforcing discipline on board. |
| Merkismaðr |
Army standard-bearer: a post of honor reserved for warriors of complete trust, for the standard guided the troops and many were famed for magical powers. To lose it was the greatest dishonor. |
| Huskarl |
Corresponds to a royal guard, a semi-equivalent rank to a Jarl, but without land ownership. Also known as Free Men of Service. |
| Hirdmen |
Corresponds to a man-at-arms belonging to a brotherhood of warriors not specifically committed to the Konung like the Huskarls, but rather to a family brotherhood. |
| Thegn |
Refers to the man who is in service to the Konung or Dróttning, in many cases encompassing ranks such as Hersir or Jarl. |
| Lögsögumaðr |
The "law-speaker": he presided over the Althing, recited the law before the assembly and mediated disputes. It was the most prestigious elected office, reserved for men of prodigious memory and eloquent speech. |
| Skald |
They are the warrior poets, responsible for writing chronicles, poems and songs. The Skalds were very well received at a Thing, and in the courts of kings, as they were men of eloquent speech (well-lettered). In many cases they acted as heralds. |
| Karl / Bonde |
A Karl is a free man who owns farms and/or lands. The term encompasses every man who possesses the aforementioned and participates in the Thing, representing those who live on his property. |
| Húsfreyja |
Housewife, Head of household, Lady of Marriage in the Viking age. They were also depicted with a bunch of keys at their belt. She is the one who manages the farm and family affairs whenever the man is not present, even when the head of household is present in many cases. The Husfreyja has free opinion and decision at the Thing, her wealth does not depend on her husband's, if there is a divorce, the Husfreyja obtains most of the household wealth. |
| Smidhr |
Corresponds to the Blacksmiths of Viking society, skilled people who made weaponry, armor and utensils. |
| Sejdkona |
A Sejdkona or a Völva is a witch, a sorceress who knows healing methods, such as using herbal medicines, how to interpret the runes and perform sorcery with them. |
| Skjaldmö |
Legendary warrior maiden. Name used to define the female warrior in Viking society, likened to the Valkyries in legends. |
| Thrall |
Corresponds to the slave category in Viking society. They belonged to the lowest caste of society, and usually without specific work skills or abilities. |