How did norse mythology impact on viking life

Why are these religious rituals important to us?

Homework/Revision Reminder You were set ongoing homework.

It is due for: Next lesson.

It can be found at: (TGI Location) Help can be found on: (Revision session date)

How did Norse mythology impact on Viking life?

LO: To explore religious beliefs and practice in Scandinavian society.

Key Words • Realm: A ‘World’, Vikings believed there were nine.

• Mythology: The beliefs and stories related to gods and mortals.

• Ritual: A religious action or ceremony.

Why are these religious rituals important to us?

Starter • Examine the diagram on your tables.

Also known as “Hel”

• With your partner, can you match the residents with their realms?

• How did you do?

• What helped you infer these answers?

Yggdrasil – ‘The World Tree’ • Norse mythology states that there are nine realms.

• Humans inhabit the ‘middle world’ known as Midgard.

Also known as “Hel”

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMmoo7_kv3A

• The most powerful Gods, knows as the Aesir live in Asgard.

Name of god/Aesir

Odin

What about this God did Vikings consider important and why?

‘Odin was the most important god of Norse mythology for the Vikings because he allowed entry to Valhalla.’ – Assess the statement.

• Some might support the statement that dying in battle to get to Valhalla was the most important belief of the Vikings because…

• However, some may disagree and suggest that other gods were more important, such as…(give at least two)

Scenarios • On your whiteboards; • You will be presented with a scenario typical of Viking life.

• Suggest which God you might pray to for guidance and why. (You may choose more than one.)

Scenario 1 • “It is the eve of a great battle against a very strong opponent, who is known to be led by a cunning warlord.”  Which God you might pray to for guidance and why? (You may choose more than one.)

Scenario 2 • “Your child has been taken ill with a fever, your tribe do not know what herbs to brew for medicine.”  Which God you might pray to for guidance and why? (You may choose more than one.)

Scenario 3 • “Following a third harsh winter in a row, your tribe debates whether they should move to different land to farm.”  Which God you might pray to for guidance and why? (You may choose more than one.)

Examine the diagram.

With your partner, can you match the residents with their realms?

Home to…

Realm?

The Gods (Aesir)

Asgard

Elves Humans Frost Giants Dwarves The Dead Gods of Nature (Vanir) Land of Fire

Also known as “Hel”

Land of Ice and Mist

What is the link?

Homework/Revision Reminder You were set ongoing homework.

It is due for: Next lesson.

It can be found at: (TGI Location) Help can be found on: (Revision session date)

What rituals did the Vikings practice?

LO: To examine the nature of Viking burial and storytelling.

Starter • Match up the correct gods with their area of power and give a short explanation of which you think was the most important and why. • Extension: What offerings might you leave your chosen god and why?

Match up the correct gods with their area of power and give a short explanation of which you think was the most important and why.

Odin

God of tricks and mischief. This God had a strong rivalry with their half-brother.

Thor

Ruled over fertility, love, and beauty. This God was in charge of claiming half of the souls of soldiers in battle.

Freyja

God of war and thunder, who wielded the mighty hammer Mjölnir. This God was also in charge of looking after humans on Earth.

Loki

The King of the Gods, who was known for being wise and knowledgeable. He ruled the Halls of Valhalla, where the dead drank and fought.

Sif

Golden-haired deity who represented both the union of marriage and the importance of healthy crops to the Vikings.

I think the most important Norse Gods was……………, this is because………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What is the link?

The Mystery Stone • As archaeologists in Sweden you discover the following preserved stone.

• The images and writing suggest it is from the Viking Age.  What can you infer?

The Lingsberg Runestone • This is an example of a “Danr and Húskarl Runestone.

and Sveinn and Holmfríðr, the mother and (her) sons, • These were used to honour had stone erected in deadthis Vikings, and were mostly memory of powerful Halfdan, created by the sons or daughters rulers or Kings. the father ofofDanr and his brothers; and Holmfríðr in memory her • It is inscribed withofrunes. husbandman.”

Other examples of Runestones Thor’s Hammer MjÜlnir

The Jelling Stone

The Stenkvista Stone

Key Words • Runestones: Memorial stones for powerful Vikings.

• Runes/Runic: The written language of the Vikings.

• Remembrance: Ways of remembering the dead.

Your Task • Follow the following slides with your worksheet and note the different types of Viking remembrance.  Don’t forget to note down examples!

Ship Burial • The most powerful or wealthy Viking warriors.

• A ship would be lit on fire with the body inside after a long ceremony.

• Alternatively, burial mounds were created over ships and their owners.

The Oseberg Ship

Stone Ships

• Another form of burial for the wealthy or powerful was a stone ship burial. • Leaders were buried with their possessions and sites were often accompanied with runestones.

Anund Barrow Stone Ship

Skalds & Sagas • Skalds were Viking poets and storytellers.

• They would sing stories of heroic leaders and journeys, which were called sagas.

• This was one of the main ways that Vikings passed on knowledge.

How important was religion & ritual to Viking society (give examples)?

• I think religion ad ritual was/was not important to the Vikings because…

• Examples of how the Vikings practiced religion and remembrance are…

Next Lesson • We will be completing a formative assessment on everything we have studied so far.

• You will need your homework sheet.

• You may take your book home to review your studies so far.

Match up the correct gods with their area of power and give a short explanation of which you think was the most important and why.

Odin

God of tricks and mischief. This God had a strong rivalry with their half-brother.

Thor

Ruled over fertility, love, and beauty. This God was in charge of claiming half of the souls of soldiers in battle.

Freyja

God of war and thunder, who wielded the mighty hammer Mjölnir. This God was also in charge of looking after humans on Earth.

Loki

The King of the Gods, who was known for being wise and knowledgeable. He ruled the Halls of Valhalla, where the dead drank and fought.

Sif

Golden-haired deity who represented both the union of marriage and the importance of healthy crops to the Vikings.

I think the most important Norse Gods was……………, this is because………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Match up the correct gods with their area of power and give a short explanation of which you think was the most important and why.

Odin

God of tricks and mischief. This God had a strong rivalry with their half-brother.

Thor

Ruled over fertility, love, and beauty. This God was in charge of claiming half of the souls of soldiers in battle.

Freyja

God of war and thunder, who wielded the mighty hammer Mjölnir. This God was also in charge of looking after humans on Earth.

Loki

The King of the Gods, who was known for being wise and knowledgeable. He ruled the Halls of Valhalla, where the dead drank and fought.

Sif

Golden-haired deity who represented both the union of marriage and the importance of healthy crops to the Vikings.

I think the most important Norse Gods was……………, this is because………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………