Viking Funerals
Life as a modern-day Viking .... wait ...they don't allow the coastal amphibious raids and ravishing of maidens any more. We can only shoot the enemy, and any ravishing requires that you meet the maidens in a bar and buy them a drink first.So, while the Dragon ships have changed and the rules of engagement have changed, the warrior spirit remains, and, of course, nobody gets out of here alive. So you might as well have a stylish send-off.
But, live by the Battle Axe and Mjolnir, da Hamma, die by the Battle Axe and da Hamma. It just comes with the territory.
What better send-off than a burning Viking Dragon Ship?
We all know how it works: the warrior’s body floats out into the sunset on a carved longboat, adorned with jewels, mementos, and possibly a sword or two. Attendees stand in reverent silence as a skilled archer sends a flaming arrow to magically set the whole thing alight.
Well, that's how I want it. Burning Dragon ship, my weapons by my side, the ship set sail out to the deepest part of the fjord. Along the clifftops. Topless Valkerie and Shield Maidens (carefully selected DD's or more gifted) sing my entrance to Valhalla. (in the case of warriors, weapons were included among grave goods)
In the military, at least some had the fatalistic attitude about life, and embraced it. Others less so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=HCCyvAwbbso
Damn right. Ever-body gotta die sometime.
YES: Immigrant Song: Valhalla, I am coming.
No Viking Funeral would be complete without the Valkerie Maidens, to carry you off the battlefield to the Mead Hall at Valhalla.
(some do it better than others...)
(Others? Not so much)
Sometimes, it's better to ask forgiveness (and just do the freakin thing), than to ask permission.
Legalities of a Viking Funeral
Ya might have to settle for a basic Viking Pyre
Comments (15)
In our museum here we have two: Gogstad and Oseberg.
From wiki:
The Oseberg ship is a well-preserved Viking ship discovered in a large burial mound at the Oseberg farm near Tønsberg in Vestfold county, Norway. This ship is commonly acknowledged to be among the finer artifacts to have survived from the Viking Era.
Supposed to be the grave of a high ranking woman.
"... chamber dates the burial to the autumn of 834. it has been suggested that she is Queen Åsa, mother of Halfdan the Black and grandmother of Harald Fairhair. ... There were also the skeletal remains of 14 horses, an ox, and three dogs found on the ship. "
Takk! Ja, det stemmer.
Nice to see the "Elf on a shelf" again.