Not Sure Why They’re Surprised…
Do Vikings have a poor reputation for being unclean? Perhaps their feared reputation leads others to believe they don’t groom themselves, but the only way to obtain those fantastic beards and haircuts is to keep them clean. They also must have done a lot of pillaging. I’m sure they’d have to wash it off, wouldn’t they?

The Anglo-Saxons, on the other hand, were originally from England in the Middle Ages and did have poor personal hygiene. They washed their hands and feet regularly but were perplexed to learn that the Vikings bathed every week, apparently nicknaming them clean freaks (though not in that actual term). It’s rather amusing when you consider it!