The Lewis Chessmen may be the perfect icon for this portion of our voyage.  The Chessmen were discovered on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.  They were carved from walrus ivory from Greenland, probably transited through Iceland and were most likely carved in Norway.

Ravenheart, in Eidfjord, bills itself as “Guided experience in the footsteps of the Vikings.”  Claudia and Mark have filled a house with artifacts, some original, some replicas, and Claudia explains then to a small group in the house, allowing us to touch and play with them.  The experience bills itself as engaging all 5 senses, but it was too early in the season for the kitchen to be open.

Most in our small group were interested in Viking Weapons. Shields, battle axes, swords and spears, and Claudia demonstrated how a shield could be used as a deadly weapon, and the diverse ways of employing a battle axe.  I suspect this is the part of the presentation that most people come to see.  When my grandson called a day or so later while we were on the ship it is what we talked about.

But really my interest was in the collection of musical instruments.  Unfortunately, no Hardingfele, but many other interesting musical instruments.

And then there is the chess set.  They have replica pieces that I got a chance to examine.  I first learned about these pieces in a 2017 lecture on Prinsendam as we sailed between Scotland and Greenland.  The rooks are Viking Berserkers, bighting their shields.  The original chess pieces, there are pieces from several sets, are in the British Museum with a few in the Scottish Museum.  The pieces are the cause of friction between the two museums.  Scottish nationalists are requesting (or demanding depending) that they be repatriated to Scotland, with, perhaps just a few pieces retained at the British Museum.  So far, the Norwegians have remained silent as have the Greenland walruses.

Here is a gallery of Ravenheart photos.