Warriors and Valhalla

The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion

In Anglo-Saxon mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, one of the Nine Realms. It is ruled over by the god Woden, and is the destination of the souls of warriors who die in battle, known as einherjar.

The einherjar is chosen by Woden and his valkyries, who are female figures who decide who shall live and who shall die in battle. The einherjar train in Valhalla during the day, fighting one another in preparation for Ragnarok, the end of the world when they will fight alongside the gods in the final battle against the giants and monsters.

Each evening, the einherjar dine in Valhalla on a great feast provided by the boar Sæhrímnir, which is cooked and served by the cook Andhrímnir, and then the einherjar return to their fighting, as the feast is consumed again each evening. They drink from the horn filled with mead which will never empty.

Valhalla is also depicted as being a very beautiful and grand hall, with a roof made of shields, a floor of polished spear points, and walls adorned with the banners of fallen warriors. Woden himself sits upon a throne called Hildskjalf, from which he can look out over the nine realms, and the warriors in Valhalla are attended to by a number of other deities and beings.

Valhalla is considered the most heroic and honourable death, where brave warriors can fight and feast every day, enjoying immortality and glory. It is a powerful symbol of the warrior culture of the ancient Anglo Saxon people and a representation of the importance of warfare in their society.