About...The Karls of Norveg

The vast majority of Norsemen belonged to the middle class of the Viking hierarchy. This was made up of 'free-men' and 'free-women' called karls. These people were farmers, blacksmiths, and other tradespeople who lived under the rule of a jarl.  Typically, a family of karls lived in a cluster of two or more buildings, often longhouses with a barn or workshop nearby. Karls also made up the ranks of the Viking military for raids and wars with other kingdoms.

​