Shield-maidens find strength, community at Lehigh Valley Viking combat class

Sometimes the hardest part of joining a combat sport isn’t the physical training — it’s walking through the door. But every Sunday morning, a group of women, nonbinary individuals and femmes are redefining what it means to be a warrior at Lehigh Valley Viking Age Combat. Between the steps, a new sense of strength and power takes shape.

The term “shield-maiden” — from Old Norse skjaldmær — refers to female warriors in Norse mythology and legendary sagas. Today, the figure has become a modern symbol of female strength in combat sports.

“I fell in love with it the first day,” said instructor Kit Ceasg, who began training in November 2024 after being inspired by a friend.

Encouraged by others in the community, Ceasg found herself stepping into a leadership role.

“I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to heal myself and this group has been a massive part of my development as a woman,” Ceasg. “I feel very strong, empowered and confident.”

This sense of personal transformation is the essence of her class.

Ceasg said her class grew out of a clear need for people who expressed interest in Viking combat training, but said they would feel more comfortable in a female-centered environment. 

The class is held on Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon, open to women, nonbinary individuals and femmes. No equipment is needed to start. 

“We want to make a space for those who may not be comfortable with males,” Ceasg said. “A space where females feel comfortable to learn and go through this transformation.”

Participants are trained in technique and in safely using their bodies and minds when handling weapons. The physical training is demanding — shields alone can weigh between four and eight pounds — but Ceasg said the class’s goal extends beyond physical strength. 

“We’re aiming to build a community,” Ceasg said. “We want people to learn and have fun with us.”

Community is what drew assistant instructor Liz Thieling into the sport, even before she picked up a shield. Inspired by her friend, Thieling began photographing the class and quickly found her own passion in combat training. 

“There’s a beautiful sense of belonging,” Thieling said. “She has been such a wonderfully patient and kind teacher.”

Ceasg said Thieling has come to her after class, reflecting on her own growth and strength.

This moment captures exactly what the class is designed to do: build confidence beyond the training floor. 

For Thieling, the appeal lies in the culture of sportsmanship that ends matches in hugs, fistbumps and shared excitement.

“Everyone has always made me feel so welcome and I want to pass that on,” Thieling said. “I want everyone to experience that camaraderie.”

The class fosters mentorship. Regular participants partner with newcomers to guide them through their first swings, creating an environment that encourages shared growth. 

Instructor Brad Lynn, who has practiced Historical European Martial Arts for nearly a decade, views the shield-maiden class as an important shift in combat sports culture.

He said it has brought in participants who may not have otherwise stepped into the space, quickly becoming one of the most popular class offerings. 

He highlights Ceasg’s as a powerful example of the personal growth these classes provide. 

“She fights in full contact tournaments and does very well for herself,” Lynn said. “I’m very proud of her.”

The class’s message is simple: “Women can do this too,” Thieling said. “There’s nothing holding us back.”

As the group grows, so does its vision.

“The more people we get, the more we can do,” Thieling said.

They dream of expanding to offer an advanced women’s class and a shield-maiden workout class in the future.

The shields are heavy, but for the women who carry them, the true strength is in the spirit of the warrior they’ve awakened within themselves.

To join the class or learn more, visit the sign-up page or follow Lehigh Valley Viking Age Combat on Facebook.