Christmas
in the time of the
Vikings
By
Mercedes Rochelle
Yule celebrations
are Pagan in origin and came from the Germanic countries. They were alive and
well in the Nordic lands, and were most likely brought over to Anglo-Saxon
England with the Viking settlers. Eventually, the midwinter celebrations merged
with the Christian festival of Christmastide, better known as the 12 Days of
Christmas. I think we would recognize many of their festivities, although some
of them were dedicated to Odin!
Since the Yule (or
Jul) took place around the Solstice, the shortest day of the year, there is a
certain element of celebrating the return of the light. It is said that the name
Yule is derived from the Old Norse HJOL, meaning ‘wheel,’ to identify the
moment when the wheel of the year is at its lowest point, ready to rise again. But
it was also thought that in this time of year, the spirits of the dead most
commonly crossed over into the human realm. It is thought that many of the
Yuletide customs were an attempt to protect the household against hostile supernatural
influences. On the other hand, it is also said that ancestors came back during
this season, and sometimes food was left out for them so they would help
promote a good harvest the following year. Some of the spirits were
benevolent—but not all.
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Odin riding Sleipnir. From the 18th century Icelandic
manuscript. Source, Wikipedia.
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One night stood out from the others—the 24th
of December. This is when the children filled their shoes with straw, carrots
and sugar lumps and set them out by the fire to feed Odin's flying eight-legged
horse Sleipnir as the God led the Wild Hunt—the host of the restless
dead—through the darkness. In return, Odin would leave the children small gifts
and sweets as a reward. He was even known to slide down the chimney! Or fire
hole, as the case may be.
Many tales were told of the Wild Hunt. Because winter nights
were often stormy and turbulent, Odin was most likely to be heard then, raging
and howling, riding to collect the fallen, whether they be living or recently
departed. People—especially children—were warned to stay indoors. It was a
terrible thing to witness the Wild Hunt; rumors abounded that people seeing the
Wild Hunt might be abducted to the underworld or to the fairy kingdom—or even
killed. A gift—or rather, a sacrifice—was advised, to thank Odin for taking
care of the family’s recently deceased. In 1673, Johannes Scheffer (The History
of Lapland) wrote “All the Bits they have preserved for
these two Days, they put in a small Chest made of the Bark of Birch, in the
shape of a Boat, with its Sails and Oars; they pour also some of the Fat of the
Broth upon it, and thus hang it on a Tree, about a Bow Shot distant from the
backside of their Huts”. Perhaps this represented the practice of ship
burials, though no one really knows the exact purpose of this ritual.
 |
|
The Wild Hunt by Johan Wilhelm
Cordes, Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus, Lubeck, Germany (Source, Wikipedia).
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Yule is a time for feasting, dancing, and family. The
traditional food of the Yule was Boar, an animal sacred to Freyr, the Norse God
of Yule and fertility. This was probably the origin of the Boar's Head
presented at later Christmas feasts. Then we have the Yule Log. The largest ash—the
wood of Yggdrasil—log was brought inside so that ritual runes could be carved
onto it, calling on the gods to protect one and all from ill-fortune. Burning
the Yule log was thought to give power to the sun and bring warmth again to the
land. The carved log was sprinkled with mead and decorated with dry sprigs of
pine and cones and as it was lit, musicians plucked the strings of their harps
and started the singing. It burned for twelve hours, which brought good fortune
for the next twelve months.
Outside, evergreens would be decorated with small
lanterns and candles, plus crackers, little carved statues of gods, pieces of
dried fruit, and even berries strung together. A huge bonfire was lit,
reportedly to dispel any evil that was marching abroad. There was dancing
around and through the bonfire, especially among the youngsters.
 |
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Odin the Wanderer, by Georg von Rosen, 1886 from the
Swedish Poetic Edda (Source, Wikipedia).
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It’s pretty commonly assumed that Odin the Wanderer
eventually morphed into our Santa Claus. The old legends came in many forms,
one of which was Odin on a chariot pulled by goats (who later became reindeers).
Or, possibly, his eight-legged Sleipnir was the precursor to reindeer
(naturally, from the North). Odin who was the lord of Alfheim, the home of the
elves (Santa’s elves?). The comparisons go on and on. How much of is true?
FROM GODWINE KINGMAKER
Canute was
relatively quiet during the festivities, and Godwine spent many hours by his
side observing the drinking and dancing; the feasting was excellent and their
seats overlooked everything. Most of the others kept their distance from the
King, but Godwine felt no such compunction. Canute seemed to appreciate his
company.
“I think this is
the last time I will take part in the old celebrations,” Canute said, running
his finger along the carved dragon head on his chair arm. “It does not sit well
with the Christian traditions.” Nonetheless, the King allowed himself a sly
smile. “Of course, perhaps we can introduce a few Norse traditions to the
English, eh?” He rubbed his hands together. “But I yearn to go back. England
feels more like home now, and I would see my wife and child.”
Harold
Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was
this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an
unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the
greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated
Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes,
raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest
Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a
future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay,
and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son
Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor,
his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into
exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to
discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.
Pick up your copy of
Godwine Kingmaker
Mercedes Rochelle
Mercedes Rochelle
is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into
fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it's
coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious
readers. Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events
surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Her new project is called “The
Plantagenet Legacy” and begins with the reign of Richard II. She also writes a
blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story. Born
in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis
in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to "see the
world". The search hasn't ended! Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ
with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
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See you on your next coffee break!
Take Care,
Mary Anne xxx