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From Erika Martinez, for About.com

Famous Gravesites of Vikings and Kings

Thursday March 27, 2008
Lindholm Hoeje Single. ©2008 Post Danmark. All rights reserved.
Post Danmark released its third and final issue in the Nordic Mythology series on March 27, 2008. Continuing the theme of mythical places, the stamps feature black and white images of Lindholm Hoeje and Feggeklit by famed photographer Kirsten Klein. Lindholm Hoeje, translated in English to "the small hills of Lindholm," was a Viking graveyard and settlement located close to Limfjord. It was a central place in the economic center of Northend Jutland, chosen for its good location and ease of transporting goods and people to and from the inlet of Limfjord. The largest of any Viking graveyard, Lindholm Hoeje is home to approximately 600 graves dating from the 6th–10th century AD. Viking tradition caused for all bodies to be burned on a pyre. Their ashes were then covered with a thin layer of earth and surrounded by stone circles arranged in a ship-like pattern. It was believed that the deceased could transform the stones into a vessel and sail across the sea to the land of the dead.

Feggeklit is located at the far northern tip of the island of the Mors. Once separated by the sea, the large rock embankment is home to the grave of pagan King Fegge. According to legend, Fegge lived there in a huge castle along with his brother Horvendel. Jealous of Horvendal's good fortune in war, Fegge murdered his brother and married his widow. Fegge was then murdered by his own step-son and nephew, Hamlet, on this very spot.

The latest issue in the Nordic Mythology series is available from the Post Danmark website and can be purchased in the following formats:

Lindholm Hoje Single
Feggeklit Single
A set of Minisheets (which includes the first two issues of the series)
A presentation pack (includes both singles and the minisheet)
A set of first day covers (featuring all three minisheets)
A first day cover (featuring the two singles)
Nordic Pack (featuring all 8 minisheets with the theme of Mythical Places from all eight Nordic countries)

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