Está atualmente a visualizar o Portugal versão do sítio.
Gostaria de mudar para o seu sítio local?
9 TEMPO DE LEITURA MIN

THE REAL BERSERKERS

WORDS NOAH TETZNER
Berserkers such as Ljot the Pale became rich by challenging weaker farmers for their lands in a type of duel known as hólmgang
© Getty 67

The Viking berserker is a figure caught between myth and reality. However, the enduring image of a howling madman, uncontrollable and reckless is unlikely to have actually existed. Instead, a warrior-class of skilled fighting men denoted the real Viking berserkers and there are many different accounts of these shield-biting warriors. Chosen men of the king’s warband, trouble-making duelists, outlaws and traumatised veterans - these were the real berserkers. Though frenzied and fearless, they were not out of control, but skilled warriors who evoked ‘berserksgangr’, to strengthen themselves and frighten their foes.

The bellowing and shield-biting were deliberately provocative acts, evoked only before the battle began. As with the ancient Romans, the collective effort of the cohorts, or ‘fylkinger’ (‘battle formations’) described in the 13th century saga the Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway, was emphasised. One warrior’s valour was always important, but having uncontrollable men running about the battlefield would not help you win a war. The berserkers evoked the berserksgangr to frighten their enemies. In Grettir’s Saga, a 14th century Icelandic narrative, we read of Snækollr, a berserker who sat atop his horse, biting his shield and howling before battle. Because he was only preparing for battle, Grettir caught him by surprise, attacking before he was ready.

Desbloqueie este artigo e muito mais com
Pode desfrutar:
Desfrute desta edição na íntegra
Acesso instantâneo a mais de 600 títulos
Milhares de edições anteriores
Sem contrato ou compromisso
INSCREVA-SE AGORA
30 dias de teste, depois apenas €11,99 / mês. Cancelar em qualquer altura. Apenas para novos subscritores.


Saiba mais
Pocketmags Plus
Pocketmags Plus

Este artigo é de...


View Issues
History of War
Issue 85
VER NA LOJA

Outros artigos desta edição


In This Issue
Welcome
Under a year before Operation Overlord and the liberation of
Frontline
WAR IN FOCUS
An F-14A Tomcat fighter jet lands at a desert airfield
FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR
The first battle the Franco-German border when three corps of
GRAVELOTTE 1870
The Franco-Prussian War is largely remembered for its political impact
LEADERS & COMMANDERS
Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke the Elder brought innovative tactical
SIEGE MENTALITY
It is usually accepted that warfare is a direct stimulus
SICILY 1943: THE ASSAULT ON FORTRESS EUROPE
In terms of men landed in a single day, Operation
OPERATION MINCEMEAT
In its 4 June 1943 roll of wartime casualties, The
SIEGE OF BELGRADE
Belgrade’s fall to the Turks in the late-Medieval period was
FIGHTING WITH THE ‘FORGOTTEN ARMY’
As the guns fell silent over Europe on VE Day
A-10 WARTHOG
The A-10 Thunderbolt is a single-seat, close-air support fighter jet
ROBERT CAIN
Hushed, anxious voices and the clattering of kit echoes around
Homefront
MUSEUMS & EVENTS
The Royal Air Force Museum is encouraging visitors to adopt
SEPTEMBER 1940
Shortly after the failure of the Luftwaffe to destroy the
COUP 53
In August 1953, Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was arrested
IRON EMPIRES
You don’t need to be a railway enthusiast to be
FORTRESS BUDAPEST
The opening of formerly closed Soviet archives has allowed Nevenkin
TOXIC
Dan Kaszeta’s chilling account of the history of nerve agents
THOMAS PICTON’S HAT
A Welshman from Pembrokeshire, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton joined the
Conversa
X
Suporte Pocketmags