The Truth About Viking Boat Burnings

Behind The Scenes

As I stand on the hill, bright, flaming arrows arcing in the velvet blue night sky, my warrior comrades surrounding me, the glow of the fledgling fire warming my cheeks and the sound of the drums vibrating the earth, I am transported to a time when our ancestors would have looked upon this sight, called to their gods and honoured the fallen, so that they may find their peace in Valhalla. 

Equinox Boat Burning At Butser Ancient Farm

To have a boat as your funeral pyre would have been a great honour, one that would have cost the warband much in resources and would have been reserved only for those of the very highest status. So how often did it actually happen?

More to the point, did Vikings really use such valuable resources as funeral pyres?And did they really have a skald to tell stories of that day?