Saturday

The shieldmaidens - skjoldmøer


Hervor dying after the battle with the Huns.
A painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo (1831-1892)


A shieldmaiden was a woman who had chosen to fight as a
warrior in Scandinavian folklore and mythology. The mythical
Valkyries may have been based on the shieldmaidens. According
to Saxo Grammaticus, 300 shieldmaidens fought on the Danish side
at the Battle of Bråvalla, in the year 750. Saxo also records an account
of Lathgertha who fought in battle for Ragnar Lodbrok and saved
him from defeat through personally leading a flanking attack
link

Fil:Helgi Hundingsbane and Sigrún by Robert Engels.jpg

Robert Engels (1866-1920):
The hero Helgi Hundingsbane holds a
sword and looks to his lover, the valkyrie Sigrún,
who holds a spear and a shield
link


From Urnes Stave Church,
in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway.
The church was built around 1130 or shortly
thereafter, and still stands in its original location;
it is believed to be the oldest of its kind.
link

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