A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – In Norse mythology, the Valkyries were the choosers of the slain. The Valkyries were females riding on horses armed with helmets and spears. They would decide who would die in battle and drift over the battleground to find their prey.
Valkyrior rida till striden (1818) by Johan Gustaf Sandberg (Translation: Valkyries riding to the battle). Credit: Public Domain
Selecting among half of those who die in battle, the Valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the great god Odin. The other half of the fallen warriors were taken to the goddess Freyja’s afterlife field Folkvangr (Fólkvangr). The goddess Freya had the first pick of the fallen Vikings.
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