Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir is a medievalist and literary scholar. Her work is about Vikings, medieval Iceland and the reception of these in the modern era. She currently works at the National Library of Norway in Oslo, Norway.She studied at universities in Reykjavík, Iceland, and Brighton, UK before completing her doctorate in medieval literature from the University of Oxford, UK in 2010. After holding research fellowships at the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies in Reykjavík, Iceland and at Harvard University, USA from 2010 to 2016, she was a lecturer at Yale University, USA from 2017 to 2019. Her publications include numerous articles, an edited volume and two books about medieval literature and manuscripts, and she has edited scholarly publications in the same fields.She also works as a historical consultant for documentaries and feature films, including Robert Eggers' epic Viking film The Northman.

Valkyrie explores the fascinating texts of Medieval Iceland that feature viking women carrying power in a variety of roles.

Author acted as historical consultant on epic Viking film, The Northman

Introduction1. Infancy and Childhood2. Between Two Worlds: Teenage Girls3. Adulthood4. Pregnancy and Childbirth5. Widows6. Old Age and DeathEpilogue

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2020 CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZEValkyries: the female supernatural beings that choose who dies and who lives on the battlefield. They protect some, but guide spears, arrows and sword blades into the bodies of others. Viking myths about valkyries attempt to elevate the banality of war - to make the pain and suffering, the lost limbs and deformities, the piles of lifeless bodies of young men, glorious and worthwhile. Rather than their death being futile, it is their destiny and good fortune, determined by divine beings. The women in these stories take full part in the power struggles and upheavals in their communities, for better or worse. Drawing on the latest historical and archaeological evidence, Valkyrie introduces readers to the dramatic and fascinating texts recorded in medieval Iceland, a culture able to imagine women in all kinds of roles carrying power, not just in this world, but pulling the strings in the other-world, too. In the process, this fascinating book uncovers the reality behind the myths and legends to reveal the dynamic, diverse lives of Viking women.