My name is Byvar the Beer-Man. I chose this name because it has the benefit of being both comical and factual. My life was not about raiding or battling; rather it was about the heat of the hearth, the weight of a full tankard, and the sound of old friends enjoying drink, feast and fellowship. I would like this to be reflected in my Viking burial. I do not hark to the grand ship burials of warriors and kings, rather the quiet graves of the farmer and the craftsman- those rooted to their land and trade.
I desire to be cremated on a pyre build in a dug-out pit in the old horse pasture on my family’s farm. This draws from Viking boat grave pits, like those at Valsgarde, where a trench would be dug and a ship placed inside and covered with an earthen mound. The pit will serve as a vessel for my final journey. The old pasture is meaningful land. It’s where I cut hay, felt the changes in the seasons, and performed honest work. The pit contains the fire and afterward becomes the foundation of the mound, returning me directly to mother earth. It’s a farmer’s burial for one that has spent a life tending to a small plot of the world.
My grave goods are the treasures and tools of my craft. A keg full of homebrew serves not only as provisions for my journey to the afterlife, but also as a spectacle of pressurized explosion during my cremation. My set of chef’s knives are my weapons; they are the trusted tools of my mastery, like a warrior’s sword or a blacksmiths hammer. A Monopoly set will serve as my hnefatafl set, representing leisure, strategy, and the bonds of fellowship.
I do not hark to the grand ship burials of warriors and kings, rather the quiet graves of the farmer and the craftsman- those rooted to their land and trade.
Rather than sacrificing animals, I will have two hop vines from my garden placed on the pyre. They are the heart of my craft. And a pint from the keg will be poured into the grave pit as an offering to the gods and ancestors.
I do not require some ornately carved stone. I will use the large, flat hearthstone from my firepit to serve as my runestone, already blackened from years of use. It will be placed upright on top of the mound. The stone shall be inscribed with: “Lies here, Byvar. He kept the horn full and the hearth warm. A good host. Drink to his memory.” My immortality lies not in Valhalla, rather in the memory of my friends and family. For every time they tell a story and raise a glass, I will be there.
I wish to die exactly as I lived. Not in battle, but of old age in my sleep following a large feast for my family. It is a prosperous death for those who lived well.
My burial is a blend of a Viking structure and a quiet modern life. The mound and put are ancient. The Keg and game of Monopoly are modern. When combined, they tale the story of Byvar: that my glory lies in hospitality, my hall was my home, and my raid was on the loneliness of an ordinary day, chased away with feast, drink, and good company.
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I wrote this paper in such a way that I engaged with the past by creating a character and burial that represents both my own personality and values rather than that of the stereotypical Viking warrior. The name “Byvar the Beer-Man” was selected with humor in mind; it serves to underscore the significance of drink while acknowledging that my real-life relationship with it is more about the associated fellowship than the drink itself. As someone who thoroughly enjoys hosting and cooking, and whose build is more suited to a kitchen than a raid, I imagined a life associated with the hearth and hospitality. Subsequently, my burial needed to reflect a “quiet modern life” utilizing a Viking framework. I substituted weapons with chef’s knives and a keg of homebrew, not entirely as a tribute to alcohol, but as a symbol of the generosity and community that defines me (plus, it’s really cool when it blows up). This project is about finding my place in history—not as a raider seeking fortune, but as a host, who finds treasure and glory in warmth, food, fellowship, and yes, beer.
Hi there! My name is Charley Damron, and I’m a sophomore at Marshall University. While originally a business major, I decided to switch to something that I might as well enjoy—history. My historical interests were sparked by listening to my great-grandparents’ stories of coming of age during the Great Depression and World War Two, and the lives they subsequently lived, which gave me an appreciation for how history has shaped the world we now live in. While my preferred area of history is more contemporary, I have found myself becoming increasingly interested in medieval and ancient history as my coursework has progressed. While not in class and studying, I enjoy cooking, gardening, watching documentaries, and spending time with my girlfriend. I’m excited for the opportunity to participate in this project in a meaningful way and better grasp the lived realities of the past. Following graduation, I hope to attend law school and become an attorney.