The only problem with this theory is within the TES:IV when the Nords of Bruma are still described as following the traditional Nordic pantheon. This is Bruma, in Cyrodiil. The Nords who live with Imperials in a town with a chapel devoted to Talos needs missionaries to convert the heathens to the proper faith.
Arentus Falvius states "I'm here to show Bruma's errant Nords the path to the true faith. They must put aside their heathen gods and worship the Nine."
This makes zero sense if Skyrim has been worshipping the Eight/Nine since the days of Jurgen. Even less if for some reason the Nords if just the Nords of Bruma worship the old pantheon while their brethren in Skyrim do not.
EDIT: I'll add that I think the Nords followed the old faith up until after the Oblivion Crisis. I think Arentus might have been successful by using Talos as the wedge to bring the Nine to Skyrim. The Nords are fanatic about Talos, and the guy in Oblivion who's stated his purpose to convert the heathens was the Primate of the Chapel of Talos.
I think Martin's sacrifice to become the Avatar of Akatosh, being also the last heir of Tiber Septim, to save all of Tamriel from Oblivion is what got the ball rolling. In the two centuries between that an Alduin's return, the Nords have finally been converted, primarily through the worship of Talos.
The only problem with this theory is within the TES:IV when the Nords of Bruma are still described as following the traditional Nordic pantheon. This is Bruma, in Cyrodiil. The Nords who live with Imperials in a town with a chapel devoted to Talos needs missionaries to convert the heathens to the proper faith.
Arentus Falvius states "I'm here to show Bruma's errant Nords the path to the true faith. They must put aside their heathen gods and worship the Nine."
This makes zero sense if Skyrim has been worshipping the Eight/Nine since the days of Jurgen. Even less if for some reason the Nords if just the Nords of Bruma worship the old pantheon while their brethren in Skyrim do not.
EDIT: I'll add that I think the Nords followed the old faith up until after the Oblivion Crisis. I think Arentus might have been successful by using Talos as the wedge to bring the Nine to Skyrim. The Nords are fanatic about Talos, and the guy in Oblivion who's stated his purpose to convert the heathens was the Primate of the Chapel of Talos.
I think Martin's sacrifice to become the Avatar of Akatosh, being also the last heir of Tiber Septim, to save all of Tamriel from Oblivion is what got the ball rolling. In the two centuries between that an Alduin's return, the Nords have finally been converted, primarily through the worship of Talos.
Isn't there some saying about expatriates being more patriotic than the ones still at home? Like how Italian Americans (for example) try an act super Italian while Italians are just like whatevs. Maybe it's something like that. The Bruma Nords are cut off from there homeland so they go deep on there culture by worshiping there original old gods.
Isn't there some saying about expatriates being more patriotic than the ones still at home? Like how Italian Americans (for example) try an act super Italian while Italians are just like whatevs. Maybe it's something like that. The Bruma Nords are cut off from there homeland so they go deep on there culture by worshiping there original old gods.