1. Who Were the Viking Slaves?
Viking slaves, known as thralls, came from remarkably diverse backgrounds. Many were captured during raids in the British Isles, Ireland, and across continental Europe. Others were Slavs from Eastern Europe—a fact that even influenced the very word “slave.” Some thralls were indigenous Scandinavians, often born into servitude due to debt or punishment. Within Norse society, thralls occupied the lowest rung, beneath free farmers and nobles. To delve deeper into their roles and origins, visit Britannica’s article on thralls.
