Did the Vikings and Anglo Saxons eat Peacocks?

Lets start with the obvious. Peacocks come from the east, so did the Vikings even know what a Peacock was?

Lets start with the archeological evidence. There was a peacock found on the Gokstad ship. The Gokstad ship is a 9th century ship from a burial mounding Norway. Who was buried in the ship is unknown, although the body of a man, twelve horses, six dogs and a peacock were found.

The fact alone that he had a peacock, something imported, and expensive, suggests a person of wealth and power.

Other peacock bones have been found in Thetford, England and in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, it is recorded that King Edgar of England (959-975) had a flock of peacocks.

There’s one more interesting reference to the Vikings at least being aware of peacocks and that is in the Laxdæla saga. Written in the 13th century about a merchant and chieftain of the early Icelandic Commonwealth called Olaf Hoskuldsson, or Olaf the peacock.

The son of a slave women, Olaf quickly rose to prominence in Icelandic society. Adopted by Thord, a gothi, At the age of 12 he accompanies Thord to the Althing where he was nicknamed ‘the peacock’ for his fancy clothing.

The saga mentions Olaf's rise to prominence, suggesting that owning or displaying peacocks might have been a status symbol.

So, we have archaeological evidence, historical records, and even a saga reference, all pointing to the presence of peacocks in the Viking and Anglo-Saxon world. But the big question remains: were they primarily ornamental birds, kept for their beauty, or were they also on the menu?

So back to the original question of did the Vikings eat peacocks? Well maybe. Like lots of things from the period we can’t say for sure, but It is possible that some higher status people may have eaten them on rare occasions.

We know in later medieval times they were considered a luxury food reserved for the upper class of society.

They were probably too expensive to be eaten on a regular basis, but perhaps as a display of wealth, you might serve a roasted peacock at a feast.

Oh and by the way I’ve looked them up online and they are unlikely to appear on my dinner table any time soon. A whole bird for a roast is around £320, double breast £240 and an egg £80!