Valkyries: The Real Story Behind These Warriors of Legend | Fate & Fabled

Vikings were some of the fiercest fighters in human history, using their impressive battle prowess to spread Norse influence between the 8th and 11th centuries. Their bravery as warriors was driven by one ultimate desire: to join Odin in Valhalla. Only the most worthy Vikings would get to spend their afterlives in that hallowed hall, and the choice of who made the cut fell to a group of powerful, but mysterious women: the Valkyries.
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Hosted by Dr. Moiya McTier & Dr. Emily Zarka, FATE & FABLED explores the stories and characters of mythologies from all around the world - why they came to be and how they impact us still today.
Host: Emily Zarka, PhD
Writer: Moiya McTier, PhD
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Thomas Fernandes
Editor / Animator: P.W. Shelton
Assistant Editor: Jordyn Buckland
Illustrator: Sophie Calhoun
Production Intern: Oscar Friend
Script Editors: Emily Zarka, PhD & Moiya McTier, PhD
Consultant: Dr. Madhavi Mallapragada
Fact Checker: Yvonne McGreevy
Additional Footage: Shutterstock
Music: APM Music
Executive in Charge (PBS): Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing
Assistant Director of Programming (PBS): John Campbell
Fate & Fabled is produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
Descriptive Audio & Captions provided by The Described and Captioned Media Program

[@itwaslikethatwhenigothere]

I always love the art style in these videos, they really bring the story to life

[@sneezediamonds]

Ditto

[@smurfyday]

@@taylorfusher2997 I have no interest in learning about Ba due to your spam. Everyone, please report this wherever you see it.

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

@@taylorfusher2997 Stop.

[@hannyagargola8059]

I agree

[@sock756]

1:04 is a fun edit of a Valkyrie from the videogame For Honor, whom I adore. Yeah the art style is phenomenal.

[@CM-dh8py]

Interesting. My understanding of Folkvanger was that it was an equal honour to be brought to Freya’s hunting hall, it was simply a matter of whose Valkyries picked you up.

[@sheller153]

From what I remember, it’s essentially that Valhalla was the army and folkvangr was the navy for the battle of ragnarok. The doors of Valhalla’s would open at the end into the nine realms and the warriors of the golden hall would spill forth to do battle with the various threats on land, while the warriors of folkvangr would right sessrúmnir, the colossal tipped-over ship Freyja used as a hall and their home and set forth on the seas to engage Loki on his ship made of dead men’s nails; Naglfar.

[@draugadrottin]

You are correct. There are a lot of inaccuracies in this video unfortunately

[@עומרשרייבר-ל4ר]

I always liked valkyries. A pretty cool depiction I have seen of a valkyrie recently was on the movie northman. It was only a nice movie, but the valkyrie looked so freaking terrifying and badass.

[@LuisSierra42]

yeah, was kinda hoping they showed that one but it's true she only shows up for a little bit

[@joeyc9418]

I read that on the battlefield Valeries appeared terrifying, probably resembling a more "stereotypical " death spirit apparent

[@mhyzon1]

My grandma, a woman who was fiercely proud of her Jewish faith and also a lover of opera and classical music, INSISTED that her coffin be wheeled out at the end of her funeral service to Ride of the Valkyries. Probably the first time that ever happened at a Jewish funeral home. It was completely apropos and hilarious.

[@eamsee657]

She sounds like she was a real spitfire. I'm glad her wish was granted and I'm sure that it gives comfort to her friends and family having a positive memory at such a sorrowful time.

[@packardexelence]

@@eamsee657 I AM HAPPY FOR HER TOO!!;---BUT YOU MUST REALIZE THAT THE COMPOSER WAGNER; HAD A TERRABILY LOW OPINION OF BOTH THE JEWISH FAITH & RACE!!; HENSE HIS MUSIC WAS A FAVORAITE OF THE THE NAZIS!!!!;--SO HER MOVE IS VERY REBELIOUS!!!!!!

[@thornkirinsdottir9032]

As a Jewish woman who is German American on both sides, I feel your grandmother is a kindred spirit with me :) may her memory be for a blessing!

[@Sara-lm8zv]

Sounds like an awesome person I wish I could have met.

[@KS-PNW]

She sounds like a cool lady 👍

[@franimal86]

Can you guys do Celtic mythology in northern Spain? The gallaeci tribes, astures and general Castro culture of pre-Roman times is super interesting! And it lives on to this day

[@franimal86]

The fairy/nymph called Xana is my family’s favorite myth from Asturias

[@franimal86]

@Taylor Fusher did you mean to reply here? I don’t know

[@Y2Kikii]

I second this! Mythology from the iberian peninsula is so under rated and not talked about much!

[@theasinclaire52]

Freya got first choice of the dead warriors, being a war and death goddess herself.

[@joeyc9418]

Folkvangir "Freya's hall" was most likely just an alliteration of Valhalla, which is the prominent poetic feature of norse poetry. So when Odin and Freya split the dead 50/50 it could mean that ending up with Freya is not a downgrade and she is more on the same level as Odin. That second bit is just speculation though

[@i3osco717]

Glad you decided to add more folklore and mythology from Scandinavia. Hope you can find the time to do an episode about the 'Myling', it is a fascinating and horrifying undead creature that I think can teach us alot about sexual freedom and women's rights, even today.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

Yeah, women taking control of their segsuality always leads to civilization to be turned into an undead and empty carcass, as Unwin wrote.

[@sarahwatts7152]

I'm not familiar with the Myling, so I second it as a video idea!

[@jessicaclakley3691]

I’m unfamiliar with this creature as well, so I’d be stoked for Dr. Z and team to cover them!

[@mjolnirfan]

That sounds like a great idea for a Monstrum episode

[@o0DnDing0o]

I think the Myling story is directed more towards parental abandonment than women's rights; but ye, it would be cool to have it covered here.

[@Swishy_Blue]

Thank you for talking about the Valkyrie!

[@--Paws--]

The cloak stealing "trope" reminds me of a Japanese tale that relates to the crane.

[@mpearson1280]

I love the animators for the Storied vids!

[@Orrenn]

Is it just a coincidence this came out a week before Valkyrie Elyseum? Either way, I already had valkyries on the brain, so this feels uncanny.

[@AB-qm3ke]

The way, I was taught Freya takes the first pick, she chooses who she wants and Odin gets to pick from the rest. Also, Odin got specifically battlefield warriors, Freya is more symbolic? in picking - for example, women who died in childbirth were seen as warriors fighting for the life of their children. Freya got the first pick by outsmarting/tricking Odin in bet.

[@zeropoint2594]

I´m interested get Sigurd in his story invulnerable from the Dragonblod like in the Nibelungen-Saga ? That would explain why he could easily walk through that fire

[@cannibalbananas]

I love learning more about the history behind these myths. And thank you for mentioning how women fought on the battlefield irl during Viking times.

[@lbjcb5]

I am loving all these series on Storied!

[@manmoy4104]

Here's my crack hypothesis about the origins of valkyries: They are a combo of some older northern European goddess/goddesses (perhaps one who shares the same origin as the Morrigan of Irish myths, with the same associations with fate, death, war, and birds, or perhaps a triple-goddess like the Norns) and the archetypical swan maiden found all across Eurasia and continents beyond, and irl shield-maidens (like the Scythians for example)

[@willempasterkamp862]

5 ancient know planets + twin (sun, moon) + polar star , they have all 8 the same characteristic to dwell in their own path or right. they are quite independent and stubborn.

[@asdkotable]

I find it interesting how many fairytales there are across cultures of magical women bathing in some pool in the mortal world and having their clothing stolen by a voyeuristic mortal man and being forced to marry him. It's a obviously a cross-cultural cautionary tale for women to keep cautious when it comes to their virtue and all, but it's amazing how incredibly similar these tales are.

[@smurfyday]

Well, I was just thinking that bathrooms, especially personal ones, used to be not a thing until industrialization-ish. So when you bathe, you do it in the wild. It's pretty easy to steal people's clothes then, and women probably got the brunt of that.

[@HaniSantosa]

Interesting. In Indonesia, there is also a folklore where a man (Jaka Tarub) steals a goddess's "selendang" (long scarf) while she is taking a bath in a lake (with other goddesses), so she can't fly back to heaven. And this goddess eventually marries the man and have a daughter with him. You can look up for Jaka Tarub legend.

[@richardimmell5688]

Fantastic as always! Keep it coming

[@anthonydoyle7370]

In the majority of cases when I click on videos I leave them quickly because the voice of the narrator grates on my senses. You, young lady, are one of the very few exceptions to this. Also, a huge and sincere thank you for not using an AI voiceover. This is my first time viewing one of your presentations but it certainly will not be the last. Tusen tak.

[@DNApex]

My daughter's name is Valkyrie! Glad to see this episode!

[@robbabcock_]

Great video! The Valkries are a fascinating element of lore!

[@StarlightJosh]

thankyou so much for this video I never knew I needed this

[@ValquiriaBernardi]

Marvelous thanks ❤

[@tomripsin730]

1:30 I gotta say, hangin' out with Freyja in Folkvangr sounds way more chill.

[@ibrav7979]

This was awesome!!!!

[@someesingh2827]

Another great work Professor 👌 Keep up the good work 👍

[@shakathelutherprince1393]

Never thought i would be this early to Fate and Fabled video

[@56bluegold]

Interesting. Thanks for posting it!

[@alexandriacollins7119]

Amazons may also have served as some inspiration for the Valkyries, too.

[@beaniebooadventures4757]

Hey Dr Emily, Can You Make An Episode Of Monstrum About The Jersey Devil, One About The Kongamato, And One About The Kelpie?

[@NewMessage]

As soon as she mentioned Njáls Saga, I expected a Monty Python clip.

[@mecahhannah]

This is awesome

[@thexalon]

Of course, the best recent depiction of a valkyrie has to be Bugs Bunny in "What's Opera, Doc?"

[@majestic1222]

This is Awesome. Thanks for upload. 👍

[@nicolaezenoaga9756]

Thanks.

[@ricofresh22]

Love this channel

[@elizabethcoen]

Let's not forget that "Ride of the Valkyries" was also reused and remixed for Lego's Bionicle Mata Nui Online Game in 2005. The track in question is called "Battle in the Sky"

[@Vibranium_man]

Can you do a video about stories about horses told by cultures all over the world?

[@thinktoomuchb4028]

She's the same little girl who used to hang around my door, but she sure looks different than the way she looked before. I call her Valkyrie I love my Valkyrie

[@highfive7689]

The idea of Valkyries having been a sort of priestess makes sense. It would also dovetails perfectly with the idea healer women who came seeking warriors to heal, or put them to rest those too far gone. Which later transforms them into the Valkyries of myth that take the dead warriors to their paradise.

[@amandaperry660]

good stuff

[@persevyr2803]

Oh my god why doesn't anyone link the scythian amazons to the valkyires??!?!?!?!? 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@VioletWhirlwind]

0:50 At the risk of seeming pedantic...that wing is coming out of the horse's neck, which really bothers me for some reason. Other than that, great video! :D

[@neon4706]

Love the For Honor reference 1:04

[@TheCartmanforprez]

I love these videos so much! Can we get a special one on the symbolism of doves? I want to see more of Lord Socrates Fancypants!!!!

[@-RONNIE]

You know a lot of Norse derives from Germanic culture because that's where it started & originally that's why there's so much similarities even now.

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

I'll always think of Brian Danielson when I hear Flight of the Valkyries

[@godlessqueertheywarnedyouabout]

The point at the end about women's rights in Scandinavia makes me think someone should do a video comparing women's rights across several premodern civilizations.

[@Passions5555]

I would personally love that

[@grahamturner1290]

May I recommend the Tyrkir Thorkelsson playlist on the Northworthy Sagas and Stories channel here on KZbin. ⚔️

[@abdelrahmanmustafa8937]

Brunhilde is in the novel on Napoleon taught in 3rd grade egybt curriculum

[@GusJKlaus]

Isn't they also derived from the goddess of celtic mythology Morrigan? Since she also was represented with crows, and flying on the battlefield to carry the souls of warriors slain in battle? ALSO, it would be marvelous an episode about Cú Chulainn, Scathach, medb, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne and other important characters in celtic mythology :D

[@XenoRaptor-98765]

Can you do those Irish/Celtic gods and goddesses next?

[@Missbloem3000]

I absolutely adore the dress, where did you get it?!

[@tomripsin730]

8:20 I'm not sure that's necessarily true. The Hindu pantheon has incredibly fierce goddesses like Kali and Durga, while women in traditional Hindu societies were (are) at least as powerless as those in other societies, if not more so. Likewise, Greek goddesses like Hera Athene and Artemis were certainly powerful and revered, while Athenian girls were married off to adult men and used chiefly for producing offspring, having no property rights or political agency. I've often thought that the only thing consistent about human beings is their inconsistencies.

[@LPSCANDY10]

I love this :>

[@skurvay3429]

Maybe you should make a video talking about the Children of Loki, that's Bound to be a messed up subject to cover.

[@dallastexas5653]

Is this a repost or am I suffering from Mandela effect?

[@franimal86]

I thought they did one on the valkyries too! Maybe they were mentioned in another video

[@Darnis1993]

Can you make a video about the theme of swanes?

[@mjolnirfan]

They should do a Fate and Fabled on "The Wild Hunt"

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

"I used to want to be a Valkyrie when I was younger, until I found out you were all women." -- Thor to Valkyrie

[@donbrink5540]

I thought you were a woman just by your statement. 😂.

[@donbrink5540]

Just teasing you

[@insulaarachnid]

Reminds me a little of The Morrigan.

[@mathieuleader8601]

I knew I would hear Flight of the Valkyries somewhere in this video

[@maxwheatley4497]

I was actually craving some norse mythology

[@dantedante839]

Richard Wagner helped a lot create the stereotype of walkyries being this "fearless, warrior women" and specially the helmet thing

[@Ridegucci]

yey Dr Z

[@Stuie417]

Does anyone know the background song at 2:30? I feel like it's Hans Zimmer or something from Spiderman, but I can't quite place it.

[@samwill7259]

People (men mostly) showing all of these "logical" reasons why women in the pre modern age didn't fight. When the Shieldmaidens were RIGHT THERE and weren't even the only example of woman giving armies an edge in battle.

[@ibrav7979]

I need more of these women playing roles in battle. Can I get more please!!!!?

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

She's mentioned in the Bugs Bunny cartoon What's Opera Doc?

[@paulgeorge7557]

Yes you are correct

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

@@paulgeorge7557 I know. It's what I read a long time ago.

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

@@paulgeorge7557 I know. I remember seeing it a long time ago.

[@paulgeorge7557]

@@blaircolquhoun7780 I seen it a long time ago

[@Frederic_S]

Valkyries rock! :D

[@mathieuleader8601]

the digimon Angewoman reminds me more of a Valkyrie than an angel

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I always love the Valkyries in their Battroid form...oh,wait, different Valkyrie

[@sapphirII]

Doesn't the irish had a similar deity with The Morrigan?

[@ZephyrBW]

This is pretty cool to know they’re only 13 names Valkyries right but how many Valkyries are there in total you wonder also a really cool video Norse mythology and Greek mythology share like similarities don’t they almost like a brother sister relationship Best anime to show Valkyries would be record of Ragnarok

[@ashirasingal27]

where's dr Moiya? She hasnt been coming in the videos lately

[@rosaliedevera7250]

valkris sund alot like silkee's not gana lie

[@petersyang4751]

沒有不可能- 黃國倫

[@VictorHernandez-nj2lo]

Fun fact: there is a yugioh theme deck, called the Valkyrie deck

[@lizardmilk]

Since it’s Halloween, I’m seeing a lot of scary clowns. How about a Monstrum about scary clowns?

[@meander112]

Engagement for the engagement god!

[@StarlightJosh]

REMINDS ME OF CLASH OF CLANS ✨

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

Personally I would have loved to have seen a more "valkarie like" valkarie in the Thor movies, her costume doesn't look even remotely viking let alone valkarie though Lady sif (I think that's how u spell her name) her helmet looks kind of like a valkaries🤔

[@luanaudio]

Guy gets his ass kicked by woman in the battlefield, decides she must be a deity 😂

[@AndrewAnsel-p6q]

451 Dashawn Corners

[@dan020350]

❤

[@majinsole8554]

They some fierce baddies. ~_~

[@YuujiVermillion61]

you are the nicest Valkyrie in the channel

[@kenneth9219]

*Valkyries vs Amazons?*

[@Apeiron242]

Sounds like the dorsai.

[@Sarara14]

Swan maidens, eh? That explains why Zeus turned himself into a swan that one time

[@n4ruto503]

Riyal I was the driver of Valkyrie

[@rudyspective1870]

No offense to the Amazons (I love you Wonder Woman!), but the Valkyries were more impressive....

[@ViirinSoftworks]

Asgard, not Ozgard.

[@scottieman2]

That's the dollar store version.

[@mathieuleader8601]

the Norse gods moved to Australia

[@rainluna9765]

Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and other fairy tales have origins in mythology. All of those stories we know as children's bedtime stories used to be oral traditions for centuries before being written down.

[@synderthmc]

I imagine Valhalla as a scheme for Odin to get a free army.

[@pdzombie1906]

The fact they showed Tessa Thompson over the valryrie from The Northman is just as indignating as the lack of appreciattion for the Robert Eggers film...

[@daiichikuro7120]

Do you know this story saying about a nephew sticking over the throne? Does anybody get reminded of villain Saga? I mean, yeah, the king wasn't the best king of all, and I mean, yeah, he deserved to die, I think. Don't get me wrong, I did watch the anime but did they take expire about this actual event in History?

[@FreyjaRKim]

Soap opera? Brynhildr and Sigurd's story is basically Swan Lake with original elements. That aside, great video!

[@BaldingClamydia]

Coolest thing I know about the Norsemen is women who die in childbirth go to Valhalla as well! They consider birth a battle and to die in battle... :D

[@WhiteRaven696]

And now when people think of Brunnhilde, they’ll think of the King of New Asgard. 😂