Mead and the Viking Beverage Mystery: How Did They Get Honey?

The image of Vikings is often characterized by their drinking of mead. But isnrsquo;t Northern Europe too cold for bees? Where did they get their honey, and was trade even possible during their raids across a large part of Europe?

Apis mellifera mellifera: Honey Bees in Scandinavia

Apis mellifera mellifera, the Nordic bee, has a long history in Scandinavia dating back before the Neolithic period, which arrived some 6000 years ago. These hardworking bees, which we colloquially call the Nordic bee in Sweden, now face threats. Today, they account for only about 1.5% of all bees in many countries, including Sweden, where they used to be the predominant type.

Mead in Sagas and Viking Literature

Mead is featured in many Norse sagas and the Ynglinga saga, where it is mentioned that King Fjlnir drowned in a vat of mead. Another sagas in the Beowulf literature also refer to mead, and J.R.R. Tolkien used the term ldquo;meduseldrdquo; for the golden hall of the kings of Rohan, which likely originates from Beowulf. Mead is also referenced in one of the oldest Swedish extant laws, the VG Sturluson wrote in the 13th century, bees and mead were well-established in Scandinavia.

Legal and Historical References to Bees

In the VG Sturluson mentions bees in a context familiar with ownership and legal agreements. The law stipulates that if a man finds a hive on another manrsquo;s land, they can agree on sharing it equally. If not, the owner of the land must prove ownership through a trial by witnesses and oaths. Bees are also mentioned in other laws, implying their importance and economic value.

Archaeological Evidence of Mead

Traces of fermented liquids containing honey have been found in Bronze Age archaeological finds in Denmark, potentially suggesting an early form of mead. However, these finds do not confirm the presence of mead definitively. Despite the lack of direct evidence, the combined archaeological and legal references strongly suggest that mead was an important beverage in Viking society, often consumed during feasts and probably used in religious practices.

Through a combination of historical records, legal documents, and archaeological evidence, we begin to peel back the layers of the Viking beverage mystery, uncovering the role of bees, trade, and mead in their society.