In a sacred grove next to the temple, bodies of victims are hung, believed to make each tree divine. The ritual sacrifices and incantations are disturbing. Viking ceremonies were misunderstood and considered satanic by Christians of the Middle Ages. Viking beliefs were specific to their people and seen as elite, with kings as intermediaries between gods and humans. Trying to suppress their religion was seen as an attack on their gods and worldview. Scandinavians believed in traditional spirits, elves, dwarves, giants, and valkyries.