Introduction Part 1. Theoretical Considerations 1. Old Norse Religion - Approach, Sources and Method 1. 1. Old Norse Religion 1. 1. 1. What is 'Religion'? 1.

1. 2. What is 'Old Norse'? 1. 1. 3. The Non-Static and Heterogenous Nature of Old Norse Religion 1. 1. 4.

Hetergenous Conceptions of the Afterlife in Old Norse Religion 1. 1. 5. Gravemounds and Ancestors in Old Norse Religion 1. 1. 6. Folk vs. World Religion 1.

1. 7. Paganism and Christianity 1. 2. Primary Sources 1. 3. Method 2. Research on Ancestor Worship 2.

1. The Development of 'Ancestor Worship' as an Academic Term 2. 2. Ancestor Worship in Old Norse Research 3. Ancestors in Social Anthropology: Definition and Social Use 3. 1. 'Ancestor Worship' - the Problem with Terminology 3. 2.

The Role of Ancestors in Folk Religions 3. 3. Family, Kinship and 'Superior Ancestors' 3. 4. 'Superior Ancestor Worship' 4. Kings and Gods in Old Norse Religion 4. 1. The Myth of 'Sacral Kingship' 4.

2. Euhemerism - Medieval Propaganda or Just History? Part 2. The Case Studies 5. Introduction to the Case Studies 6. Erik of Birka 7. The Ynglingar 7. 1. Background on the Ynglingar 7.

1. 1. Sources 7. 1. 2. The Ynglingar and Sacral Kingship 7. 1. 3.

Ynglingatal : Authorial Purpose 7. 2. Freyr 7. 2. 1. Adam's Templum 7. 2. 2.

Adam's Account of Human Sacrifice 7. 2. 3. Icons and Processions 7. 3. Hálfdanr svarti 7. 4. Óláfr Geirstaðaálfr 8.

The Háleygjar 8. 1. The Háleygjar and Sacral Kingship 8. 2. Þorgerðr helgabrúðr 9. The Settlers of Breiðafjerðr 9. 1. Þórólfr Mostrarskegg 9.

2. Auðr djúp(a)úðga General Conclusion.