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A skjaldmö (Shieldmaiden) was a virgin who had chosen to fight as a warrior, in Scandinavian mythology. They are often mentioned in sagas such as Hervarar saga and in Gesta Danorum. According to Nordisk familjebok, shieldmaidens appear also in stories of other Germanic nations: Goths, Cimbri and Marcomanni. They were the inspiration for the Valkyries and they were J.R.R. Tolkien's inspiration for Eowyn.

Shieldmaidens known by name were e.g. Brynhild in the Volsunga saga, Hervor in Hervarar saga, the Bryhild of the Bósa saga ok Herrauds, the Swedish princess Thornbjörg in Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar and Hed, Visna and Veborg in Gesta Danorum.

According to Saxo Grammaticus, 300 shieldmaidens fought on the Danish side at the Battle of Bråvalla.

Norse mythologyArdre image stones from Gotland, ca. 750 AD Norse mythology Viking mythology or Scandinavian mythology refer to the pre- Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people. It is the best-known version of the ancient Germanic mythology, wh

Norse mythology

The Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology

People, places and things: Deities | Giants | Dwarves | Valkyries

Orthography | Numbers | Runes | Kenning

Elder Edda | Younger Edda | Skald | Sagas | Later influence

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