The Viking Age (c. 750-1100) left little documentation about childhood, primarily focusing on adult life, especially men's experiences. Children were integrated into Old Norse society through naming ceremonies, which required paternal recognition under the Norwegian Frostathing Law. Unmarried mothers faced challenges in gaining acceptance for their children, while fathers were legally bound to care for their offspring. Child exposure was culturally accepted during the pagan period. However, evolving legal codes, such as the Grey Goose Laws, eventually led to the abolition of such practices as Christianity spread.
Evidence about children during the Viking Age remains scant, with most historical documentation focusing on adults, particularly men, leaving gaps in our understanding of their lives.
The naming ritual of children was crucial in Viking society, marking their integration into the community, emphasizing paternal recognition and legal responsibilities towards them.
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