In Scandinavia the Vikings worshipped many gods - Odin, king of the gods and his wife Frigg - Thor of the fiery temper - Loki, and many others. They held Religious cermonies in temples or out of doors at a holy place.

The Vikings worshipped many gods and believed in life after death. They thought the dead persons body travelled to the next world in a ship. For this reason an ordinary persons grave was marked by stones placed in the shape of a ship. Important, wealthy leaders were buried in real ships with their possessions which they hoped to use in their future lives. These included their valuables, their animals and their slaves. Some of these ship-coffins were buried and others were set on fire.
By the 9th century knew about Christianity from the Franks, the English and the Irish. Their merchants who had been abroad spoke about Christianity and Raiders said the churches were full of treasures. Vikings were not keen to become Christians when they learned they had to give up their old gods. However some converted to Christianity for practical reasons. When they were baptised they were given a new set of clothes to symbolise their new life. Some Vikings turned up more than once for Baptism as a result!!

This pendant was Thor's hammer if hung one way
or a cross if hung the other way.