Buy and sell: the life of a Waterford Viking
In the half-light of morning a group of Viking warriors emerge from their fortified riverside camp carrying a bier on which lies the body of their leader, who died the previous night.
They walk the short distance to the site where a grave has been dug, followed by a group of mourners. The place of burial has been carefully chosen, beside the track giving access to the camp and within view of the river that sustains its inhabitants and connects them with the Viking world.
Amid the customary scenes of grief from the dead man’s extended family and followers, the body is laid in the shallow grave. In accordance with the ancient traditions, the camp’s smith steps forward and, raising his heavy hammer above his head, brings it down and smashes the warrior’s sword into three pieces.
The sword fragments and the warrior’s other weapons, also deliberately broken, are arranged around his body and the grave is covered with a blanket. In the final act of the funeral the burial party makes a mound of stones and earth over the grave. After the ceremony the mourners return through the gates of their fortress, unsure of their future now their leader is dead.
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