I thought you had to die with weapon in hand? Or is it a fictional interpretation? (well, invented as a later interpretation, I mean)
Yes, that's a contemporary interpretation. Most people wouldn't want to go to Válhöll, and even the majority of warriors would rather rest in Helheim. And, of those chosen by the Valkyries, half to go Fólkvangur with Freyja. You also don't have to die in battle necessarily. A legendary warrior who earns Odin's favor might go even if he dies of age raising sons to be warriors (a very respectable position).
Its conflicting even in the sources. There's at least two lines that directly say "everyone who dies in battle goes to Valhal"
However the sagas and Eddas are full of people dying in battle who are said to go to Hel. Similarly we have many people who do not die in battle who seem to believe they will be going to Odinn's hall. (academic speculation warning) most of the people who die outside of battle but still intend to go to valhal deem to be specifically Odinn worshippers. Perhaps there's a link there to the odinnic cult.
I thought you had to die with weapon in hand? Or is it a fictional interpretation? (well, invented as a later interpretation, I mean)
Yes, that's a contemporary interpretation. Most people wouldn't want to go to Válhöll, and even the majority of warriors would rather rest in Helheim. And, of those chosen by the Valkyries, half to go Fólkvangur with Freyja. You also don't have to die in battle necessarily. A legendary warrior who earns Odin's favor might go even if he dies of age raising sons to be warriors (a very respectable position).
Its conflicting even in the sources. There's at least two lines that directly say "everyone who dies in battle goes to Valhal" However the sagas and Eddas are full of people dying in battle who are said to go to Hel. Similarly we have many people who do not die in battle who seem to believe they will be going to Odinn's hall. (academic speculation warning) most of the people who die outside of battle but still intend to go to valhal deem to be specifically Odinn worshippers. Perhaps there's a link there to the odinnic cult.