In the opening paragraphs, to quickly answer the main question – yes, Vikings did tend to be taller than Englishmen during the medieval period. Studies of human remains show that Viking men averaged around 5′ 7″ to 5′ 9″ in height, while contemporary Englishmen were several inches shorter with averages around 5′ 5″ to 5′ 7″.
Why were Vikings taller?
There are a few key reasons why Vikings tended to be taller than Englishmen and others in medieval Europe:
- Genetics – Scandinavians descended from earlier hunter-gatherer populations in northern Europe. These populations were taller on average than the agricultural populations further south.
- Diet – Vikings had access to more fish, meat, and dairy than the predominantly grain-based diets further south. This provided more protein for growth.
- Lifestyle – Viking lifestyles emphasized physical activity, which stimulated growth, while the more sedentary lifestyles of medieval England did not.
In the medieval period, average heights responded strongly to nutrition and lifestyle. Vikings descended from taller northern European populations, and maintained a protein-rich diet and active lifestyle that allowed them to reach their genetic potential for size and height.
What evidence do we have?
Archaeologists and biological anthropologists have compared the skeletal remains of Vikings with contemporary Englishmen to arrive at height estimates. Some key studies and findings include:
- A study of over 2,800 Viking skeletons from archaeological sites across Scandinavia found an average male height of 5′ 7.5″.
- Analysis of Anglo-Saxon remains from early medieval England gave an average male height around 5′ 6″.
- A comparison of Viking and Anglo-Saxon skeletons directly showed the Vikings to be taller on average.
- The tallest Vikings were found in Sweden, where average heights reached 5′ 9″, while Danish Vikings were shorter around 5′ 7″.
These biological studies provide clear evidence that Viking men were indeed taller than their English counterparts, by averages of 1.5 to 3 inches.
Height comparisons
To help visualize the height differences between Vikings and medieval Englishmen, here is a table comparing average heights:
| Group | Average Male Height |
|---|---|
| Vikings (Scandinavia) | 5′ 7″ – 5′ 9″ |
| Anglo-Saxons (England) | 5′ 5″ – 5′ 7″ |
As the table shows, Vikings averaged 1.5 to 3 inches taller than Anglo-Saxons. The shortest overlap was Englishmen at 5′ 7″ and Vikings at 5′ 7″, while the largest difference was 5′ 5″ Englishmen vs. 5′ 9″ Vikings. However tall an Englishman was by medieval standards, a Viking of the same period was likely to be taller.
Why did height decrease after the medieval period?
After the medieval period, average heights actually declined across European populations. By the 17th and 18th centuries, the average Englishman was shorter than his medieval ancestors. Scholars suggest several reasons for this decline in height following the medieval period:
- Deteriorating diets – more restricted grain-based diets as land was enclosed for intensive agriculture
- Increasing economic inequality – poorer nutrition for the lower classes as wealth concentrated
- Urbanization and infectious disease – more disease spread in crowded cities
- Gradual genetic changes – natural selection for shorter people in the new environment
So while Vikings were among the tallest Europeans during their medieval heyday, the overall trend in heights took a downturn across the continent in the centuries after their decline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, studies of skeletal remains clearly show that Vikings were indeed taller on average than Englishmen during the medieval period. Vikings averaged around 5′ 7″ to 5′ 9″ in height, while contemporary Englishmen were several inches shorter with averages around 5′ 5″ to 5′ 7″. This height difference of 1.5 to 3 inches can be attributed to genetics, favorable Viking diets, and active lifestyles. After the medieval period, heights decreased across Europe for several reasons, reversing the tall stature of Vikings and other early medieval Europeans. So while later historical periods did not maintain the tall physical statures, the Vikings were unusually large and tall for their time, exceeding their southern neighbors in England and elsewhere.