Gods of the Holmgang
As part of our display program the AAF presents a judicial duel between two Vikings call the holmgang. Like any good Viking our heroes declare their god before tempting fate. The question of late is just who the gods should be.
The major gods of the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons are Tiw, Wodin (Odin), Thor and Freyr whom give their names to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It can be assumed that the Vikings placed similar importance on these four gods.
Tiw
Tiw is the son of Odin and Frigga and is a god closely associated with war and law. He lost a hand to the great wolf Fenrir.
Odin/ Wodin / Woten
A complex god, Odin is the master of inspiration, war, knowledge and (violent) death. Odin gave up a eye to drink at the fountain of wisdom and hung himself from the world tree for nine days to gain secrets from the world of the dead. He is the source of the berserkers rage and much of the strife between men, but also of poets and bards.
Odin is associated with wolves and ravens, both animals that profit from the dead after a battle.
Thor / Thunor
The thunder god and god of agriculture. A strong but not too bright son of Odin, Thor has a special place in the hearts of the average man. He is the champion of mankind.
Thor’s emblem animal is the goat, an animal closely associated with agriculture. His weapon is a large headed hammer, a blunt instrument that symbolises his approach to battle.
Freyr
Symbolised by a boar, Freyr is concerned with production and masculinity, often he is depicted with a huge phallus. Men sacrificed to Freyr for fertility and peace. His emblem animal is the boar.
The boars on helmets like the Bentley Grange were thought to protect the wearer by watching over them.
A Question of Function
King Alfred once said the he needed “praying men and fighting men and working men” to govern his kingdom properly. Since ancient times society has been split into three functions.
The first function is regulation. These are leaders and priests. They are most likely to follow Tiw or Odin.
The second function is protection. Warriors and the like. Their gods are most likely Odin and Thor.
The third function is production. These are the farmers, hunters, merchants, etc. Thor and Freyr and the popular gods of people in this function.
Which God?
The man returned from England is clearly a member of the second function. He should declare himself for Odin or Thor.
The man who stayed behind is likely to be a farmer or a merchant and thus belong to the third function. His god would be Thor of Freyr.
