Until Christianity took hold amongst Viking communities, the Vikings believed in many gods and supernatural creatures. These included gods like Thor and Odin, as well as elves, giants and Valkyries – the female spirits who selected slain warriors from the battlefield to join Odin in Valhalla.

Viking beliefs were not an organised religion, but involved a range of ideas about sacrifices to gods and spirits, magic spells and curses and the ability of some people to transform into animals. A belief in men who could transform into bears or wolves may explain later descriptions of warriors who went berserk on the battlefield.

By the end of the Viking Age, many Vikings had become Christians, but it took a long time for all of the old beliefs to be forgotten.

Sorceress' staff

Thor's hammer pendant