Origins of the Great Viking army grave in England

[josip123]

Hi,
a massive grave has been found in Derbyshire, England of almost 300 violently broken bodies in the 80's. Scientists didn't know the origins of the bodies until recently. Archeologist Cat Jarman announced this week that the bodies all date to the 9th century.

Source

 

[Grandliseur]

Hi,
a massive grave has been found in Derbyshire, England of almost 300 violently broken bodies in the 80's. Scientists didn't know the origins of the bodies until recently. Archeologist Cat Jarman announced this week that the bodies all date to the 9th century.

Source

If a nation has the belief that they won't go to paradise, Valhalla, unless they die in war, no wonder they died with broken bodies.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

If a people has the belief that they won't go to paradise, Valhalla, unless they die in war, no wonder they died with broken bodies.

Valhalla was hardly the only "paradise", and not even a guarantee. It was (and is) also believed that Freyja had the first pick of the honorably slain.

The remains being "broken bodies" - as that one website puts it - also really only indicates that they died in battle, more likely than not in a violent manner (as happens in war). It's inconsequential to belief in Valhalla, and a notion that the Norse were running to their deaths in a suicidal fashion is also grossly misrepresentative of their beliefs and attitudes; one was to not fear death, not seek it out.

What the grave strongly indicates - and the actual importance of the find - is that it's recorded remains of the Great Heathen Army that invaded England; an army that until now had just disappeared from record after their conquests. ​

 

[Grandliseur]

one was to not fear death, not seek it out.

Right. Otherwise we wouldn't be here!

I found an article discussion the origin of the Swedes. It seems that what might also be my branch had a tendency for war even early on. They were saying the tribes belonging to the Ur-ancestor would have conquered the world had they not loved conflict so much they fought with each other constantly. Kind of funny.