Before their conversion to Christianity, the Saxons worshiped Woden
and Thor, names preserved in Wednesday (Woden's day) and Thursday
(Thor's day). The first appears to have been considered to be the
creator and ruler of heaven and earth; the second was his son, the god
of thunder, slayer of evil spirits, and friend of man.
The essential element of their religion was the deification of
strength, courage, and fortitude. It was a faith well suited to a
warlike people. It taught that there was a heaven for the brave and a
hell for cowards.