Principal Beliefs of the Norse
The Norse don’t have one set doctrine or beliefs system as their faith was transmitted orally until the christian period. The nature of Norse beliefs were predominantly the pre-christian beliefs of the Scandinavians. The Nordic community had strong views on clan honour, righteous revenge and respect for the God’s.
Belief systems would differ from tribe to tribe, but the principal beliefs remained universal. It was once believed that in the future, chaos would overturn order and those who maintained order would be destroyed (Hartney, C, 2011).This demonstrates the violent, warrior like side of the Nordic people.
The Norse believed in the eternal and inextricable power of the afterlife and that warriors who died in battle would be escorted to the ‘hall of the slain’. This endured respect for warriors among the living and hope that through battle you would be granted a place of honour among the dead. It was principally believed that all who died of illness, old age or criminal punishment were sent into Hel (the realm of the dead)’s hands. This was a strong incentive for their people to become warriors and sacrifice themselves through battle. (Hartney, C, 2011)
Belief systems would differ from tribe to tribe, but the principal beliefs remained universal. It was once believed that in the future, chaos would overturn order and those who maintained order would be destroyed (Hartney, C, 2011).This demonstrates the violent, warrior like side of the Nordic people.
The Norse believed in the eternal and inextricable power of the afterlife and that warriors who died in battle would be escorted to the ‘hall of the slain’. This endured respect for warriors among the living and hope that through battle you would be granted a place of honour among the dead. It was principally believed that all who died of illness, old age or criminal punishment were sent into Hel (the realm of the dead)’s hands. This was a strong incentive for their people to become warriors and sacrifice themselves through battle. (Hartney, C, 2011)