Study › Runes & Norse › Eric Bloodaxe in Valhalla
Eric Bloodaxe was a king of Norway and later of York, who fell in battle around 954. The poem Eiríksmál, made for his widow, shows Odin preparing Valhalla for his arrival.
Who was Eric Bloodaxe?
Eric Bloodaxe was a king of Norway, and later of York, who fell in battle around 954. His widow Gunnhild had a poem made for him, Eiríksmál, and it is a scene in Valhalla. Odin wakes before dawn and has the einherjar rise, strew the benches and rinse the cups, for a king is coming. The god Bragi hears the din and thinks the hall is shaking, as if Baldr were coming back. Odin sends Sigmund and Sinfjötli to meet Eric at the doors, and Bragi asks why Odin let so great a king fall, when he loved him. Odin answers that no one can know, for the grey wolf watches the homes of the gods — every warrior will be needed at Ragnarok. Eric enters with five other kings. This is the same Eric whom Egil Skallagrimsson cursed with the nithing pole.
He was welcomed into Valhalla by Sigmund and Sinfjötli.
Questions
Was Eric Bloodaxe real?
Yes. He was a king of Norway and of York in the 10th century.
Why did Odin let Eric fall?
Because the grey wolf watches the gods' homes: Odin needs every warrior for Ragnarok.