We know them as the winged choosers of the slain and the fierce female warriors of Valhalla—but who are the Valkyries, really? Are they divine escorts, mortal women with supernatural gifts, or something else entirely? Or perhaps all of the above?

Today, we’re pulling back the veil on these enigmatic wish-maidens to explore how they evolved from the terrifying omens of Old Norse poetry into the complex heroines of modern fantasy. I’m joined by an incredible panel: authors KS Barton and Johanna Wittenberg, the co-hosts of Shieldmaiden: @WomenoftheNorseWorldPodcast podcast, and academic researcher from the @universityofleeds , Sif Brookes from the @valsif channel.

Together, we’re exploring and examining the sagas, the legends and twenty-first century conceptions in 'Valkyries: Beyond the Sagas and Legends'. Join us as we head straight to Valhalla, to find out what it truly means to 'choose the slain'.

Episode artwork designed by illustrator Katie Brompton

Intro and Ending Soundtrack, 'Into the Wyld' from Svilland TTRPG

- Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World is a monthly podcast that takes a deep dive into the lives of women in the Viking Age, exploring their roles, experiences, and contributions to Norse society. Hosted by fiction authors Johanna Wittenberg and K.S. Barton, each episode explores the fascinating stories of Norse women from historical accounts, sagas, and archaeology. From shieldmaidens and queens to farmers and priestesses, we’ll uncover the varied and complex roles that women played in Norse culture. -

- The Truth about the Valkyries with Sif Brookes, Episode of @nordicmythologypodcast - https://youtu.be/zZYiMOF7joM?si=AQ5gx0G8fpPSa0GY

- Johanna Wittenberg: https://johannawittenberg.com/

- K.S Barton: https://ksbarton.com/

- Sif Brookes: https://sifbrookes.com/

Books discussed in this episode:

'A Deal with Odin' by K.S Barton

'Valkrjur: Servant or Master?' by Sif Brookes

'The Valkyries: New & Ancient Norse Tales' from Flame Tree Press

Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World by Dr Johanna Katrin Fridriksdottir

The Real Valkyrie: The hidden history of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown

The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavaia by Neil Price

The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (Penguin Edition)