What is a Gode?

[Alneyan]

"Van" is the singular form of Vanir, a group of gods in Norse mythology opposed to the Aesir.

I'd looked up Skratti and got the same answer you did... there's probably another spelling involved, but the meaning shouldn't be too far off from 'witchery is involved!'.

I think Herse is another spelling for Hersir, a sort of warrior/lord under a Jarl who commands a band of warriors.

Gode is a different spelling for Godi, which was a fairly high-ranking priest involving in a particular aspect of the cult, but the specifics escape me at the moment.

Unless I am sorely mistaken, Huscarls are indeed "Housecarls", yet another spelling that may be more obvious for the modern eye... they were armed, though, so don't get them confused with lowly servants