Mile Markers

The Vikings worshiped a host of gods and goddesses like most other god-fearing communities. Religion was an integral component of the Vikings lives as they set out in raids and conquest; they need the favour of their gods for success.

Important Viking Gods

Three of the most important gods which the Vikings revered and worshiped are Odin, Thor and Freyr. Odin was known to be the leader of Viking gods. He was noted as the god of magic, war and poetry. His wife was Frigg. Odin was noted for his poetic inspiration and ecstasy. He was known as a sorcerer before rising to become a god. He was served by Huginn and Muninn, 2 ravens and Geri and Freki, 2 wolves. Odin also owned an eight-legged horse called Slepnir. He was thought to be one-eyed after sacrificing his eye at Mímirs well. He hung himself as a sacrifice on Yggdrasil, the world tree with his own spear Gungnir to acquire the magical runes wisdom.

Thor was one of Odins sons known as the god of thunder. It was assumed that Thor had iron gloves, his dynamic hammer and a magic belt. Thor was also known as the god of protection for the Vikings who called upon him for protection against cold, hunger, enemies and other dangers. He was known as a revered hero god who protected Asgard and Midgard from dangers such as giants and monsters. Thor found a place in the hearts of farmers who looked to him for protection over their crops and produce. Thors wife was Sif, who was a golden-haired goddess, although his lover was Jötunn Járnsaxa. His famous hammer was known as Mjöllnir which was one of his main treasures besides his iron gloves and a magical belt. Thor had a daughter Þrúðr by Sif and a son Magni by Járnsaxa. Thor lived in Thrudheim which was known as the Home of Strength. He was described by sources to be fierce with red hair and red beard. The Vikings encountered giants called the Rimturs and the Bergresar whom they feared despite their fearless and violent nature as raiders. These giants were from the cold world and mountains which threatened the existence of the Vikings. They would call on their gods for protection and success when encounter troubles. Freyr or Frej was the Vikings god of fertility and agriculture who was worshiped regularly throughout the year for continued prosperity. His twin was Freyja the goddess of fertility and love who wept golden tears when unhappy.

Other Viking Mystical Gods

Vikings hold on to many types of gods which many could have been sagas or fables. These include stories about encounters with giants, dragons and trolls which were out to disrupt the lives of Vikings using their magic, mischief and trickery. Hence, Vikings were thought to be living in Middle Earth called Midgard while their gods lived in the sky world called Asgard. The myth spoke of a beautiful rainbow bridge linking Asgard to Midgard. Another revered god of the Vikings is Loki. Loki was known to be a bit more hostile than other Viking gods as he acted with cunning and guile for his own benefits. Loki was also a son of Odin and had two sons, Nari and Narfi by his wife Sigyn. But Loki also indulged in the underworld with giantess Angrboda where he fathered monsters Hel, Fenrir and Jörmungand. However, Loki was Thors close companion when the former helped the latter in battles with the giants as well as retrieving back Thors stolen hammer. Loki was a known trickster that could change and shift shapes. He was finally punished by the other gods who could not excuse his treacherous actions against humans and gods. Balder was a young god of the Æsir who was also a son of Odin. He was mentioned in one of the famous Merseburg Incantations. Legend had it that Balder had evil dreams and became invulnerable from the vow of his mother to protect him. However, Loki made a mistletoe weapon and instigated Höðr to kill Balder with it. Heimdall was known as the whitest gods. He was a son of Odin, who dwelled in Himinbjörg or Heaven Mountain near Bifröst which was the bridge connecting heaven and earth. Heimdall was the guardian of Viking gods with a keen ear and acute eyesight.

Information on the Vikings provided by Schoolvikingvisit.co.uk

Guy Fawkes was born on April 13, 1570 in Stonegate, Yorkshire, and died on January 31, 1606 in Old Palace Yard, Westminster. He was Edward Fawkess only son, although there were 2 younger sisters while an elder sister passed away after 7 weeks of birth.

The Fawkes Family Edward Fawkes was a descendent of the Fawkes family from Farnley with a prominent career in the ecclesiastical courts. He was appointed as an Advocate of the court to the Archbishop of York. His maternal side is the eminent Harrington merchants and Aldermen of York. Guy Fawkes married Maria Pulleyn in Scotton in the year 1590 with a son, Thomas, born on February 6, 1591. When Guy Fawkes was of age, he proceeded to dispose part of his inheritance. Fawkes leased a vast land of 3.5 acres in Clifton and other smaller spots elsewhere around York. The falcon is the Fawkes family crest as found in many of the ancient documents handled by the family.

The Rise of Guy Fawkes Historical documents reveal Guy Fawkes to have left Scotton to be employed as a footman to Anthony Browne who was a second Lord Montague. Fawkes was believed to have left England sometime between 1593 and 1594 for Flanders with a Harrington cousin. Fawkes enlisted himself in the Spanish army while in Flanders. He rose to a post of command in 1596 when Calais fell to Spain. Fawkes began making a great impression not only by his capabilities, but also by his distinctive appearance as a tall and powerfully built man with bushy reddish-brown beard and thick hair. He exhibited an extraordinary fortitude with a good reputation among the soldiers. He adopted the more affectionate Guido name while catching the attention of Sir William Stanley, Father William Baldwin and Hugh Owen. He renewed his acquaintance with Christopher Wright as they joined forces in securing Spanish support to invade England after Queen Elizabeth died but it was a futile attempt.

A Strong Involvement Fawkes returned to Brussels and was presented to Thomas Wintour by Stanley. Wintour may have updated Fawkes of the conspirators intentions as noted from his confession. In May 1604, Fawkes teamed up with Thomas Wintour, Robert Catesby, John Wright and Thomas Percy on a gunpowder conspiracy with an oath through mass. Fawkes took on the identity of John Johnson disguised as Percys servant who was entrusted to care for the rented tenement of Percy. Soon enough, Fawkes followed instructions to commence the necessary preparations on working the mine, but delay set in until early December. Work in the mine was slow and difficult due to the unfamiliar strenuous labour. More accomplices were sworn in to boost the operations for faster results. The conspirators hired a cellar right under Parliament in March 1605 where Fawkes was involved in hiding barrels of gunpowder beneath iron bars and faggots. He went on to Flanders to update the conspiracy plot to Stanley and Owen. He met up with other notably conspirators to discuss excluding certain Catholic peers from the planned explosion, but a week later, the infamous Monteagle Letter was sent to William Parker concerning the conspiracy. However, the letter was vague in details which allowed the conspirators to carry on with their plans. Fawkes was ignorant of the letter and did not prepare an exit plan like the other conspirators. Hence, he agreed to safeguard the cellar of gun powder personally with the task of ignition due to his similar experience in the Low Countries.

Thomas Howard, the Lord Chamberlain, attempted a search of the parliament buildings with Monteagle and John Whynniard. They only found the pile of iron bars and faggots to conclude that Fawkes was not a credible character. A second search was conducted with Sir Thomas Knyvett leading the team. Fawkes was arrested upon discovering the gun powder, a watch and slow matches as well as some touchwood. Fawkes divulged no other information except his pseudonym name Johnson and that he was Thomas Percys servant. Interrogations revealed Fawkes apparent xenophobia and his adamant stance in pushing the Scots back to Scotland even with gun powder. Subsequently, the other conspirators were arrested and tried in Westminster Hall. They were found guilty and hung. A general consensus on Fawkes reports him not as a mercenary ruffian, but a misguided zealot on fanaticism to participate in the conspiracy.

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