Valkyries were first mentioned in the first-ever episode of Vikings, titled Rits of Passage. In the episode, Ragnar (played by Travis Fimmel) has a vision of the angels carrying fallen warriors to Valhalla. Ever since, they have been mentioned at various points throughout the series, especially ahead of invasions and battles.
What is a Valkyrie?
In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is a female figure who has the power of choosing who lives and dies in battle.
Valkyries are mainly mentioned in poems and Viking saga’s written in the 13th century, such as Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, the Heimskringla and Njáls saga.
The word Valkyrie comes from the old Norse term Valr [the slain] and kjósa [to choose], meaning ‘chooser of the slain’
A Valkyrie can manifest herself in a host of female figures on Earth.
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After a Valkyrie has chosen who dies in battle, they can take chosen warriors to the afterlife hall, known as Valhalla.
Valhalla is a grand hall full of slain warriors, ruled over by the Viking god Odin (André Eriksen).
The remaining deceased warriors go to the goddess Freyja’s afterlife field known as Fólkvangr.
Valkyrie’s also appear as lovers of Viking heroes and are sometimes the daughters of royalty.
In Norse mythology, they are usually accompanied by ravens, swans or horses.
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Who is the Angel of Death?
In a voiceover for the new trailer, the Valkyrie says: “I go by many names, Valkyrie, Chooser of the Slave, the Angel of Death.
“It’s destined by the Gods that we meet, for the chosen, the end is near.“
An unnamed woman eerily dressed all in black with heavy black eye make up then appears on the screen.
At one point in the trailer, she is seen holding a knife to a man but just who exactly she is threatening is unclear.
The trailer also teases the sons of Ragnar at war with each other.
Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) death looks imminent as he can be seen being tied to stake.
Harald (Peter Franzén), Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) are then seen attending a funeral but just whose death they are mourning remains unclear.
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On the original Viking’s Instagram account, fans have been sharing their theories about what the trailer and the arrival of the Valkyrie means.
One fan said: “I can’t wait but I have a bad feeling hvisterik is gonna die.”
Another fan suggested the Valkyrie is Bjorn Ironside’s first wife Thorunn (Gaia Weiss).
They said: “I think it’s Bjorn’s first wife, the one who left for the disfigured face.”
A few other fans commented saying: “New seer”.
The seer (John Kavanagh) had supernatural powers who communicated with the gods and were able to answer questions about the future and a person’ fate in life.
The seer as killed by Ivar the Boneless (Alex Hogh Andersen) in season five of Vikings.
The Valkyrie’s presence suggests there will be a huge battle in the final season of Vikings, with some of the warriors reaching Valhalla but who will it be?
Viking season 6 premieres Wednesday, December 4 on History US and Thursday, November 5 on Amazon Prime Video
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