Moira

"Mother, you taught me to love all regardless even as I am shunned by my brethren. I am trying my best, mother. Alas, back then, it was not enough to save you. I hope it will be different this time."

―Moira in a page of her journal.

Moira was an Anglo-Saxon woman who served as the chief herbalist and healer of the Viking jarl Halfdan Ragnarsson during the late 9th century. She helped to treat Halfdan, who experienced illness, in terms of both his physical and emotional health.

Biography

Originating from the village of Wyke in Eurvicscire, Moira followed the tenets of Christianity along with her mother, who later passed away under mysterious circumstances. After some time, Moira came to work for Halfdan as his personal healer when the Vikings occupied and settled in Northumbria. While her herbs were not able to cure Halfdan's illness, they were nevertheless able to soothe the pain Halfdan was experiencing.

Circa 876, Moira met the Raven Clan shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir at a celebration in Donecaestre that was held for Halfdan's latest victory against the Picts. She was seen consoling a man, whose wife was experiencing medical issues. Moira briefly spoke to Eivor about her service under Halfdan before returning to her work.

Halfdan drinking Moira's medicine

Later, when Eivor returned to Donecaestre after helping Halfdan's lieutenant Faravid conquer Stenwege Camp, she saw Moira treating Halfdan. The healer gave him an herbal drink to consume before leaving Halfdan and Eivor alone to talk. When Halfdan accused Faravid of attempted poison, Eivor remarked that the jarl should be careful of everyone he surrounded himself with, including Moira, and mentioned her as another possible suspect.

Eivor was subsequently tasked to investigate Moira and learn if she had indeed attempted to poison Halfdan. Searching the healer's hut, she found a note revealing Moira had traveled to Wyke to treat the wife of the man she had been consoling earlier. Eivor thus followed Moira's trail to Wyke, where she found the healer trapped inside her own home after an angry mob had formed outside.

Eivor helped Moira escape from the mob and led her to safety in the nearby woods, where the two talked about Halfdan's health. Moira claimed that, while her remedies treated Halfdan's physical injuries, they could do nothing for the mental illness she believed the jarl was suffering from. Concluding that Moira was innocent, Eivor left to meet with Halfdan and inform him of her findings.

Moira and Eivor inspecting the goblet

Following the Vikings' victory against the Picts and Ricsige of Northumbria, a celebration took place in Jorvik, where Halfdan was to be crowned King of Northumbria. Moira attended the ceremony and witnessed Halfdan breaking into a coughing fit and dropping the goblet he had been drinking from. Upon closer inspection, Moira saw that the goblet was made of lead, a toxic metal used to drive the Romans mad, and recalled that her mother had drunk from similar cups prior to her death. With this evidence, Halfdan accused Faravid of treason and long-time poisoning and decided his punishment.

Sometime after these events, a saddened Moira was visited by Eivor at Jorvik's Royal Hall to inquire about Halfdan's whereabouts. Moira informed her that Halfdan had recently become absent, wallowing in paranoia and sadness, and feared what this might mean for the future of Northumbria. She then directed Eivor to Picheringa, where Halfdan had traveled with his dog Beonton, and the shieldmaiden was ultimately able to help Halfdan regain his resolve and convince him to return to his duties as king.

Behind the scenes

Moira is a character in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where she is portrayed by English actress Cassie Bradley.

Gallery

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  Moira's first meeting with Eivor
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  Eivor offering to help Moira deal with the mob outside her home
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  Eivor and Moira talking about Halfdan

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla