Viking beliefs

 

The Norse myths

 

When the Vikings first came to Britain, they had their own religion and worshipped many different gods. The stories they told about them are known as 'the Norse myths'. They are mostly about contests between the gods and the giants.

 

Norse gods and goddesses

 

ODIN was the wise and mysterious 'All-Father', the ruler of the gods. He was the god of magic, poetry and war. He gave away one of his eyes in exchange for wisdom.

 

THOR was the most popular god. He ruled the skies, storms and thunder, and protected ordinary people. He had iron gloves, a magic belt and a hammer used as a weapon.

 

LOKI was the mischievous, dangerous trickster god.

 

FREYJA was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She herself was very beautiful and wept tears of gold and amber.

 

FREY was the god of fertility and Freyja's brother.

 

The Vikings and Christianity

 

England, Scotland and Wales had been Christian countries for a long time. As the years went by, most Vikings living in Britain also became Christians. However, some continued to follow their old religion at the same time.

 

Many Viking lords founded new churches. They also put up stone crosses in churchyards all over Britain.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/vikings/beliefs/index.shtml

 

Vocabulary