Hoping someone can shed some light on this brutal form of execution for me xxx I know how it was done but would like to know why it was done? I mean, was it as simple as just a very brutual form of killing someone so therefore would spread fear or was it something more??? Any ideas
Wikipedia has a decent entry on "Blood Eagle". It includes four sections: A summary. Accounts of the practice. Questions over its authenticity. Occurances in fiction. In addition, there's a short bibliography of references. If it wasn't so late and I didn't have work, I'm sure it would suck me into a Wikipedia blackhole of Norse myth and the conflict between pagans & early Christians! Good luck, hope this helps. -Frank
It is my understanding that the Blood Eagle was a Viking method of execution reserved for those they despised and hated the most. Particularly those whom they wanted to make an example of, via a gory and horrific death. Once a viking had seen it done to another, I can't imagine said viking wanting to get on the bad side of his chieftain afterward.
Seeing as how the vikings butchered their own livestock for food...and their enemies for the hell of it...I don't think it would be too difficult to figure out the organs and anatomy.
