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| − | [[Image:Skylitzis Chronicle VARANGIAN GUARD.jpg|thumb|350px|Varangian Guardsmen, an illumination from the 11th century chronicle of [[John Skylitzes]].]]
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| − | The '''Varangians''' or '''Varyags''' ([[Old Norse]]: Væringjar, [[Medieval Greek|Greek]]: Βάραγγοι, Βαριάγοι, ''Várangoi / Varyágoi'', [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] and [[Russian language|Russian]]: Варяги, ''Varyahy / Varyagi'' ), sometimes referred to as ''Variagians'', were [[Viking]]s,<ref>{{cite book |title=Atlas of Russia and the Soviet Union |last=Milner-Gulland |first=R. R. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= |publisher=Phaidon |location= |isbn=0714825492 |page=36 |pages=|url=http://books.google.com/books?q=%22known+to+the+Russians+and+Greeks+as+Varangians%22&btnG=Search+Books }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Culture and Customs of Russia |last=Schultze |first=Sydney |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2000 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |location= |isbn=0313311013 |page=5 |pages= |url=http://books.google.com/books?client=firefox-a&um=1&q=%22Varangians+as+the+Russians+call+them%22&btnG=Search+Books }}</ref> [[Norsemen]], who went eastwards and southwards through what is now [[Russia]], [[Belarus]] and [[Ukraine]] mainly in the 9th and 10th centuries.
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| − | According to the [[Kievan Rus']] [[Primary Chronicle]] compiled in about 1113 groups of Varangians included the [[Swedes (Germanic tribe)|Swedes]], the [[Rus (people)|Rus]], the [[Normans]], the [[Angles]] and the [[Gotlanders]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Viking Rus |last=Duczko |first=Wladyslaw |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2004 |publisher=BRILL |location= |isbn=9004138749 |pages=10–11 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hEawXSP4AVwC&pg=PA10&dq }}</ref> However, due largely to geographic considerations, most of the Varangians who traveled and settled in the eastern Baltic, Russia and lands to the south came from the area of modern [[Sweden]].<ref>Forte, Angelo, Richard Oram, and Frederik Pedersen. ''Viking Empires''. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2005. 13-14.</ref>
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| − | Engaging in [[trade]], [[piracy]] and [[mercenary]] activities, they roamed the river systems and portages of [[Gardariki]], reaching the [[Caspian Sea]] and [[Constantinople]].<ref name="Constantinople">Stephen Turnbull, ''The Walls of Constantinople, AD 324–1453'', [[Osprey Publishing]], ISBN 1-84176-759-X</ref>
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| − | ==Etymology==
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| − | [[Medieval Greek|Greek]] ''Várangos'' and [[Old East Slavic]] ''varęgŭ'' are derived from [[Old Norse language|Old Norse]] ''væringi'', originally a compound of ''[[vár]]'' "pledge" and ''gengi'' "companion," i.e. "a sworn person" or "a foreigner who has taken service with a new lord by a treaty of fealty to him, or protégé".<ref>H.S. Falk & A. Torp, ''Norwegisch-dänisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, 1911, pp. 1403-4; J. de Vries, ''Altnordisches etymologisches Wörterbuch'', 1962, pp. 671-2; S. Blöndal & B. Benedikz, ''The Varangians of Byzantium'', 1978, p. 4</ref>. Some scholars seem to assume a derivation with the common suffix ''-ing-''.<ref>[http://runeberg.org/svetym/1184.html Hellquist 1922:1096], [http://runeberg.org/svetym/1260.html 1172]; M. Vasmer, ''Russisches etymologisches Wörterbuch'', 1953, vol. 1, p. 171.</ref> Yet, this suffix is inflected differently in Old Norse, and furthermore, the word is attested with ''-gangia-'' in other Germanic languages in the Early Middle Ages: [[Old English]] ''wærgenga'', [[Old Frankish]] ''wargengus'', [[Lombardic language|Langobardic]] ''waregang''.<ref>Blöndal & Benedikz, p. 4; D. Parducci, "Gli stranieri nell’alto medioevo," ''Mirator'' 1 (2007)[http://www.glossa.fi/mirator/pdf/i-2007/glistranierinellaltomedioevo.pdf in Italian], [http://www.glossa.fi/mirator/pdf/i-2007/glistranierinellaltomedioevoabstract.pdf English abstract]</ref> The reduction of the second part of the word is parallel to that seen in Old Norse ''foringi'' "leader" = Old English ''foregenga'', [[Gothic language|Gothic]] ''fauragangja'' "steward".<ref>Falk & Torp, p. 1403; other words with the same second part are: Old Norse ''erfingi'' "heir," ''armingi'' "beggar," ''aumingi'' "beggar," ''bandingi'' "captive," ''hamingja'' "luck," ''heiðingi'' "wolf," ''lausingi'' / ''leysingi'' "homeless," cf. Falk & Torp, p. 34; Vries, p. 163.</ref><ref>S. Bugge, ''Arkiv för nordisk filologi'' 2 (1885), p. 225[http://runeberg.org/anf/1885/0229.html]</ref>
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| − | ==Varangian Rus'==
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| − | {{main|Rus' Khaganate}}
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| − | [[Image:Nicholas Roerich, Guests from Overseas.jpg|thumbnail|left|193px|''Guests from Overseas'', [[Nicholas Roerich]] (1899).]]
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| − | Having settled [[Aldeigja]] (Ladoga) in the 750s, Scandinavian colonists were probably an element in the early ethnogenesis of the [[Rus' (people)|Rus' people]], and likely played a role in the formation of the [[Rus' Khaganate]]. The Varangians ('''Varyags''', in [[Old East Slavic language|Old East Slavic]]) are first mentioned by the [[Primary Chronicle]] as having exacted tribute from the [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] and [[Finnic]] tribes in 859. It was the time of rapid expansion of the Vikings in Northern Europe; England began to pay [[Danegeld]] in 859, and the [[Curonian]]s of [[Grobin]] faced an invasion by the Swedes at about the same date.
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| − | According to the ''Primary Chronicle'', in 862, the Finnic and Slavic tribes rebelled against the Varangian Rus, driving them overseas back to Scandinavia, but soon started to conflict with each other. The disorder prompted the tribes to invite back the Varangian Rus "to come and rule them" and bring peace to the region. Led by [[Rurik]] and his brothers [[Truvor and Sineus]], the invited Varangians (called [[Rus' (people)|Rus]]) settled around the town of [[Holmgård]] (Novgorod).
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| − | In the 9th century, the Rus' operated the [[Volga trade route]], which connected Northern Russia ([[Gardariki]]) with the Middle East ([[Serkland]]). As the Volga route declined by the end of the century, the [[Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks]] rapidly overtook it in popularity. Apart from Ladoga and Novgorod, [[Gnezdovo]] and [[Gotland]] were major centres for Varangian trade.<ref>A massive majority (40,000) of all Viking-Age Arabian coins found in Scandinavia were found in Gotland. In Skåne, Öland and Uppland together, about 12,000 coins were found. Other Scandinavian areas have only scattered finds: 1,000 from Denmark and some 500 from Norway. Byzantine coins have been found almost exclusively in Gotland, some 400. See ''Arkeologi i Norden 2''. Författarna och Bokförlaget Natur & kultur. Stockholm 1999. See also Gardell, Carl Johan: ''Gotlands historia i fickformat'', 1987. ISBN 91-7810-885-3.</ref>
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| − | Western historians tend to agree with the Primary Chronicle that these Varangians organized the existing Slavic settlements into the political entity of [[Kievan Rus']]in the 880s and gave their name to the land. Many Slavic scholars are opposed to this theory of Germanic influence on the [[Rus' (people)]] and have suggested alternative scenarios for this part of Eastern European history because the author of the Primary Chronicles, that is a monk named Nestor, worked in the court for the Varangians.
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| − | In contrast to the intense Scandinavian influence in [[Normandy]] and the [[British Isles]], Varangian culture did not survive to a great extent in the East. Instead, the Varangian ruling classes of the two powerful city-states of [[Republic of Novgorod|Novgorod]] and [[Kiev]] were thoroughly Slavicized by the end of the 10th century. [[Old Norse]] was spoken in one district of Novgorod, however, until the thirteenth century.
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| − | ==Rus' and the Byzantine Empire==
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| − | {{Campaignbox Russo-Byzantine Wars}}
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| − | [[Image:Varangian routes.png|thumb|right|250px|Map showing the major Varangian trade routes: the [[Volga trade route]] (in red) and the [[Trade Route from the Varangians to the Greeks]] (in purple). Other trade routes of the eighth-eleventh centuries shown in orange.]]
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| − | The earliest [[Byzantine]] record of the [[Rus' (people)|Rus']] is written prior to 842, preserved in the Greek ''Life of St. George of Amastris'', speaking of a raid that had extended [[Paphlagonian expedition of the Rus|into Paphlagonia ]].<ref name="RPC">The Russian Primary Chronicle: Laurentian Text Translated by O. P. Sherbowitz-Wetzor ISBN 0910956340 </ref>
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| − | In 839, emperor [[Theophilus (emperor)|Theophilus]] negotiated with the foreigners, [[Etymology of Rus and derivatives|whom he called ''Rhos'']], to provide a few mercenaries for his army.
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| − | It was in 860, from Kiev, that the Rus under [[Askold and Dir]] launched their [[Rus'-Byzantine War (860)|first attack on Constantinople]]. The result of this initial attack is disputed, but the Varangians continued their efforts as they regularly sailed on their [[monoxyla]]e down the Dnieper into the [[Black Sea]]. The Rus' [[Caspian expeditions of the Rus|raids into the Caspian Sea]] were recorded by Arab authors in the 870s and in 910, 912, 913, 943, and later. Although the Rus had predominantly peaceful trading relations with the Byzantines, the rulers of Kiev launched the relatively successful [[Rus'-Byzantine War (907)|naval expedition of 907]] and the [[Rus'-Byzantine War (941)|abortive campaign of 941]] against Constantinople, as well as [[Sviatoslav I]]'s large-scale invasion of the Balkans in 968-971.
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| − | These raids were successful in the sense of forcing the Byzantines to re-arrange [[Rus-Byzantine Treaty|their trading arrangements]]; militarily, the Varangians were usually defeated by the superior Byzantine forces, especially in the sea and due to the Byzantines' use of [[Greek fire]]. Many atrocities were reported by (not wholly impartial) Greek historians during such raids: the Rus' were said to have crucified their victims and to have driven nails into their heads {{Fact|date=June 2007}}.
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| − | ==Varangian Guard==
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| − | {{main|Byzantine army}}
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| − | [[Image:Skylitzis Chronicle iLLUMINATION.jpg|thumb|250px|Varangian Guardsmen, an illumination from the Skylitzis Chronicle]]
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| − | [[Basil II|Basil II's]] distrust of the native Byzantine guardsmen, whose loyalties often shifted with fatal consequences, as well as the proven loyalty of the Varangians led Basil to employ them as his personal bodyguards. This new force became known as the '''Varangian Guard''' (Gr. Tagma ton Varangion, ''Τάγμα των Βαραγγίων'') Over the years, new recruits from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway kept a predominantly Scandinavian cast to the organization until the late 11th century. So many Scandinavians left to enlist in the guard that a medieval Swedish law stated that no one could inherit while staying in Greece.<ref>Jansson 1980:22</ref> In the eleventh century, there were also two other European courts that recruited Scandinavians:<ref name="Pritsak386">Pritsak 1981:386</ref> [[Kiev Rus]] c. 980-1060 and [[London]] 1018-1066 (the [[Þingalið]]).<ref name="Pritsak386"/>
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| − | Steve Runciman, in "The History of the Crusades," noted that by the time of the Emperor Alexius, the Byzantine Varangian Guard was largely recruited from Anglo-Saxons and "others who had suffered at the hands of the Vikings and their cousins the Normans."
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| − | ===History===
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| − | As early as 911, the Varangians are mentioned as fighting ''for'' the Byzantines and not just against them. About 700 Varangians served along with Dalmatians as marines in Byzantine naval expeditions against Crete in 902 and a force of 629 returned to Crete under [[Constantine Porphyrogenitus]] in 949. A unit of 415 Varangians was involved in the Italian expedition of 936. It is also recorded that there were Varangian contingents among the forces that fought the Arabs in Syria in 955. During this period, the Varangian mercenaries were known as the ''Great Companions'' (Gr. Μεγάλη Εταιρεία).
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| − | With the decline of the Byzantine empire, the emperors increased their reliance on the Varangian mercenaries. In 988 [[Basil II]] requested military assistance from [[Vladimir I of Kiev|Vladimir of Kiev]] to help defend his throne. In compliance with the treaty made by his father after the [[Siege of Dorostolon]] (971), Vladimir sent 6,000 men to Basil. In exchange, Vladimir was given Basil's sister, [[Anna Porphyrogeneta|Anna]], in marriage. Vladimir also agreed to convert to Christianity and to [[Christianization of Kievan Rus'|bring his people into the Christian faith]].
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| − | In 989 the Varangian guard, led by Basil II himself, landed at Chrysopolis to defeat the rebel general [[Bardas Phocas]]. On the field of battle, Phocas died of a stroke in full view of his opponent; upon the death of their leader, Phocas' troops turned and fled. The brutality of the Varangians was noted when they pursued the fleeing army and "cheerfully hacked them to pieces."
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| − | The Varangian Guard saw extensive service in southern Italy in the eleventh century, as the [[Normans]] and [[Lombards]] worked to extinguish Byzantine authority there. In 1018, Basil II received a request from his [[Catapanate of Italy|catepan of Italy]], [[Basil Boioannes]], for reinforcements to put down the [[Norman conquest of southern Italy#Lombard revolt|Lombard revolt]] of [[Melus of Bari]]. A detachment of the Varangian Guard was sent and in the [[Battle of Cannae (1018)|Battle of Cannae]], the Greeks achieved a decisive victory.
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| − | The Varangians also participated in the partial reconquest of [[Sicily]] from the [[Arabs]] under [[George Maniaches]] in 1038. Here, they fought alongside Normans recently arrived in Italy seeking adventure and Lombards from Byzantine-held [[Apulia]]. The Guard was at this time led by [[Harald Hardrada]], later [[King of Norway]]. However, when Maniaches ostracised the Lombards by publicly humiliating their leader, [[Arduin the Lombard|Arduin]], the Lombards deserted and the Normans and Varangians followed them.
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| − | Not long after, the catepan [[Michael Doukeianos]] had a force of Varangians stationed at [[Bari]]. On 16 March 1041 they were called up to fight the Normans near [[Venosa]] and many drowned in the subsequent retreat across the [[Ofanto]]. In September [[Exaugustus Boioannes]] was sent to Italy with only a small contingent of Varangians to replace the disgraced Doukeianos. On 3 September 1041 they were defeated in battle by the Normans.
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| − | Many of the late catepans were sent from Constantinople with Varangian units. In 1047 [[John Raphael (catepan)|John Raphael]] was sent to Bari with a contingent of Varangians, but the Bariots refused to receive his troops and he spent his term at [[Otranto]]. Twenty years later, in 1067, the last Byzantine catepan in southern Italy, [[Mabrica]], arrived with Varangian auxiliaries and took [[Brindisi]] and [[Taranto]]. At the disastrous [[Battle of Manzikert]], in 1071, virtually all the Emperor’s Guards fell around him.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/egfrothos/BattleHonours.html Battle Honours of the Varangian Guard], by Stephen Lowe</ref>
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| − | Composed primarily of Scandinavians for the first 100 years, the guard began to see increased inclusion of [[Anglo-Saxons]] after the successful invasion of England by the Normans. In 1088 a large number of Anglo-Saxons and Danes emigrated to the Byzantine Empire by way of the Mediterranean.<ref name="Constantinople"/> One source has more than 5,000 of them arriving in 235 ships. Those who did not enter imperial service settled on the Black Sea coast, but those who did became so vital to the Varangians that the Guard was commonly called the ''Englinbarrangoi'' (Anglo-Varangians) from that point. In this capacity they fought in Sicily against the Normans under [[Robert Guiscard]], who unsuccessfully sought to invade the lower Balkans as well.
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| − | The Varangians relied on a long axe as their main weapon, although they were often skilled swordsmen or archers as well. In some sources they are described as mounted. The guard was stationed primarily around Constantinople, and may have been barracked in the Bucoleon palace complex. The guard also accompanied armies into the field, and Byzantine chroniclers (as well as several notable Western European and Arab chroniclers) often note their battlefield prowess, especially in comparison to the local barbarian peoples. They were vital to the Byzantine victory under the emperor [[John II Komnenos]] at the [[Battle of Beroia]] in 1122. The Varangians hacked their way through the enemy's circle of [[Pecheneg]] wagons, collapsing the Pecheneg position and causing a general rout in their camp.
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| − | Furthermore, they were the only element of the army to successfully defend part of [[Constantinople]] during the [[Fourth Crusade]]. Of the role of the guard, then composed of the English and Danes, it is said that "the fighting was very violent and there was hand to hand fight with axes and swords, the assailants mounted the walls and prisoners were taken on both sides".<ref name="Constantinople"/> Although the Guard was apparently disbanded after the city's capture in 1204, there are some indications that it was revived either by the [[Empire of Nicaea]] or by the [[Palaeologus|Palaeologid]] emperors themselves, though it is not likely that they lasted long after [[Michael VIII]].<ref name="Constantinople"/>
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| − | In Russia, ''Varangian'' remained a synonym for Swedes until the late 16th century.<ref>As in the ''[[Novgorod Chronicle]]'' on [[Pontus de la Gardie]]'s Swedish troops[http://fornvannen.se/pdf/1910talet/1914_081.pdf].</ref>
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| − | ===Function===
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| − | The duties and purpose of the Varangian Guard were similar—if not identical—to the services provided by the Kievan ''[[druzhina]]'', the Norwegian ''[[hird]]'', and the Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon ''[[housecarl]]s''. The Varangians served as the personal [[bodyguard]]<ref>It is neither unusual nor particularly Byzantine that a foreign unit would gain such access and prestige. [[Augustus]] himself had a personal guard of Germans, the ''Collegium Custodum Corporis'' or ''Germani Corporis Custodes'', to protect himself from the native [[Praetorian Guard|Praetorians]]. This guard was revived by Tiberius and continued until Nero.</ref> of the emperor, swearing an oath of loyalty to him; they had ceremonial duties as retainers and acclaimers and performed some police duties, especially in cases of treason and conspiracy.
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| − | The Varangian Guard was only used in battle during critical moments, or where the battle was most fierce.<ref name="Enoksen">Enoksen, Lars Magnar. (1998). ''Runor : historia, tydning, tolkning''. Historiska Media, Falun. ISBN 91-88930-32-7 p. 135</ref> Contemporary Byzantine chroniclers note with a mix of terror and fascination that the "Scandinavians were frightening both in appearance and in equipment, they attacked with reckless rage and neither cared about losing blood nor their wounds".<ref name="Enoksen"/> The description probably refers to [[berserker]]gang since this state of trance is said to have given them superhuman strength and no sense of pain from their wounds.<ref name="Enoksen"/> When the Byzantine Emperor died, the Varangians had the unique right of running to the imperial treasury and taking as much gold and as many gems as they could carry, a procedure known in [[Old Norse]] as ''polutasvarf'' ("palace pillaging").<ref name="Enoksen"/> This privilege enabled many Varangians to return home as wealthy men, which encouraged even more Scandinavians to enlist in the Guard in ''Miklagarðr'' (Constantinople).<ref name="Enoksen"/>
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| − | Unlike the native Byzantine guards so mistrusted by Basil II, the Varangian guards' loyalties lay with the position of Emperor, not the man that sat on the throne. This was made clear in 969 when the guards failed to avenge the death by assassination of Emperor Nicephorus II. A servant had managed to call for the guards while the Emperor was being attacked, but when they arrived he was dead. They immediately knelt before John Tzimisces, Nicephorus' murderer and hailed him as Emperor. "Alive they would have defended him to the last breath: dead there was no point in avenging him. They had a new master now." {{cite book |last= [[John Julius Norwich|Norwich]] |first= John J. |title= [[A Short History of Byzantium]] |publisher= [[Viking]] |year= 1997 |isbn= 0-679-77269-3 }}
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| − | ===Reputation===
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| − | While the Varangians are represented in Walter Scott's novel ''[[Count Robert of Paris]]'' as being the fiercest and most loyal element of the Byzantine forces, this is probably exaggerated. However, the exaggeration was begun by Byzantine writers themselves, who applied a "[[noble savage]]" identity to the Varangians. Many Byzantine writers referred to them as "axe-bearing foreigners," or ''pelekyphoroi barbaroi'', rather than Varangians.<ref name="Constantinople"/> While many writers praised their loyalty to the emperors (and ascribed their loyalty to their race), the frequent usurpations that disrupted Byzantine rule suggest that the Guard was either less loyal or less effective than the sources would lead us to believe.
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| − | One notable exception to the legendary Varangian loyalty to the throne occurred in 1071. After Emperor Romanus Diogenes was defeated by Sultan Alp Arslan, a palace coup was staged before he could return to Constantinople. His stepson, Caesar John Ducas, used the Varangian guard to depose the absent emperor, arrest Empress Eudoxia, and proclaim his brother, [[Michael VII]], as emperor. Thus, instead of defending their absent emperor, the Varangians were used by the usurpers.
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| − | Other than their fierce loyalty, the most recognizable attributes of the Varangian guard during the 11th century were their large axes and their penchant for drinking. There are countless stories of the Varangian guard either drinking in excess or being drunk. In 1103 during a visit to Constantinople, King [[Eric the Good]] of Denmark "exhorted members of the guard to lead a more sober life and not give themselves up to drunkenness." It is not surprising, therefore, to find a 12th century description of them as "the Emperor's wine-bags."
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| − | ===Runestones===
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| − | :''Main articles: [[Varangian Runestones]], [[Greece Runestones]], [[Italy Runestones]] and [[Ingvar Runestones]].''
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| − | [[Image:Runestonecross.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Patriarchal cross|Byzantine cross]], on [[Risbyle Runestones#U 161|U 161]], a cross which is today the coat-of-arms of the local town [[Täby]].]]
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| − | [[Image:hagia-sofia-viking.jpg|thumbnail|One of the [[runic inscriptions in Hagia Sophia]], probably carved by members of the Varangian Guard.]]
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| − | The great losses that the Varangian Guard suffered is probably what is reflected by the largest group of runestones that talk of foreign voyages in Sweden, i.e. the [[Greece Runestones]]<ref>Larsson, Mats G (2002). Götarnas Riken : Upptäcktsfärder Till Sveriges Enande. Bokförlaget Atlantis AB ISBN 9789174866414 p. 143-144.</ref> of which many were raised by former members of the Varangian Guard, or in their memory. A smaller group consists of the four [[Italy Runestones]] which are probably raised in memory of members of the Varangian Guard who died in southern Italy.
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| − | The oldest of the Greece runestones are six stones in the [[Runestone styles#style RAK|style RAK]], a style which is dated to the period before 1015 C.E.<ref>[http://stockholms.lans.museum/runriket/runriket.pdf ''Runriket Täby-Vallentuna – en handledning'', by Rune Edberg] gives the start date 985, but the [[Rundata]] project includes also Iron Age and earlier Viking Age runestones in the style RAK.</ref> The group consists of [[Greece Runestones#U 358|Skepptuna runestone U 358]], [[Greece Runestones#U 518|Västra Ledinge runestone U 518]], [[Greece Runestones#Sö 170|Nälberga runestone Sö 170]] and [[Greece Runestones#Sm 46|Eriksstad runestone Sm 46]].<ref name="rundata">The dating is provided by the [[Rundata]] project in a freely downloadable database.</ref>
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| − | One of the more notable of the later runestones in the [[runestone styles#Pr4|style Pr4]] is [[Greece Runestones#U 112|Ed runestone U 112]], a large boulder at the western shore of the lake of Ed. It tells that Ragnvaldr, the captain of the Varangian Guard, had returned home where he had the inscriptions made in memory of his dead mother.<ref name="rundata"/>
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| − | The youngest runestones, in the [[runestone styles#Pr5|style Pr5]], such as [[Greece Runestones#U 104|Ed runestone U 104]] (presently in the [[Ashmolean Museum]] in [[Oxford]]), are dated to the period 1080-1130, after which runestones became unfashionable.<ref name="rundata"/>
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| − | The Varangians did not return home without a lasting imprint of Byzantine culture to which testifies a [[Patriarchal cross|Byzantine cross]] carved on the early eleventh century [[Risbyle Runestones#U 161|Risbyle runestone U 161]], and which today is the [[coat-of-arms]] of [[Täby]].<ref name="Täby">The article ''[http://www.lansmuseum.a.se/runriket/risbyle.html 5. Runriket - Risbyle]'' on the site of Stockholm County Museum, retrieved July 7, 2007.</ref> Somewhat ironically, however, it was made by the [[Viking]] [[Ulf of Borresta]] who commemorated on the [[Orkesta Runestones#U 344|Orkesta runestone U 344]] that he had taken three [[danegeld]]s in [[England]].<ref name="Täby"/>
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| − | ===Norse sagas===
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| − | According to the [[saga]]s, the [[West Norse]] entered the service of the Guard considerably later than the [[East Norse]]. The [[Laxdœla saga]], informs that the Icelander [[Bolli Bollason]], born c. 1006, was the first known Icelander or Norwegian in the Varangian Guard.<ref name="penguin">''[http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141000039,00.html Sagas of the Icelanders]'', [[Penguin Group]]</ref> Travelling to Constantinople via Denmark, he spent many years in the Varangian Guard; "and was thought to be the most valiant in all deeds that try a man, and always went next to those in the forefront."<ref name="Forefront">[http://omacl.org/Laxdaela/chapter73.html OMACL: The Laxdaela Saga: Chapter 73<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref> The saga also records the finery his followers received from the Emperor, and the influence he held after his return to Iceland:
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| − | {{quotation|Bolli rode from the ship with twelve men, and all his followers were dressed in scarlet, and rode on gilt saddles, and all were they a trusty band, though Bolli was peerless among them. He had on the clothes of fur which the Garth-king had given him, he had over all a scarlet cape; and he had Footbiter girt on him, the hilt of which was dight with gold, and the grip woven with gold, he had a gilded helmet on his head, and a red shield on his flank, with a knight painted on it in gold. He had a dagger in his hand, as is the custom in foreign lands; and whenever they took quarters the women paid heed to nothing but gazing at Bolli and his grandeur, and that of his followers.|<ref name="LaxardalQuote">[http://omacl.org/Laxdaela/chapter77.html OMACL: The Laxdaela Saga: Chapter 77<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>}}
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| − | The Varangian Guard is mentioned also in ''[[Njal's Saga]]'' in reference to Kolskegg - an Icelander said to have come first to [[Holmgard]] (Novgorod) and then on to Miklagard (Constantinople), where he entered the Emperor's service. "The last that was heard of him was, that he had wedded a wife there, and was captain over the Varangians, and stayed there till his death day."<ref>[http://omacl.org/Njal/ OMACL: The Story of Burnt Njal<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
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| − | Perhaps the most famous member of the Varangian Guard was the future king [[Harald III of Norway|Harald Sigurdsson III of Norway]], known as Harald Hardråde ("Hard-ruler"<ref name=Hardrade>Philip Dixon, ''Barbarian Europe'', Salem House Publishing (October 1976), 978-0525701606</ref>). Having fled his homeland, Harald went first to [[Gardariki]] and then on to Constantinople, where he arrived in 1035. He participated in eighteen battles and during his service [[Byzantine-Arab Wars|fought against Arabs]] in Anatolia and Sicily under General [[George Maniakes]], as well as in southern Italy and Bulgaria.
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| − | During his time in the Varangian guard Harald earned the titles of ''manglavites'' and ''spatharocandidatos''. But his service ended with his imprisonment for misappropriation of imperial plunder taken during his command. He was released upon the dethronement of the Emperor [[Michael V]], and saga sources suggest he was the one sent to blind the Emperor when he and his uncle fled to the church of [[Studion]] Monastery and clung to the altar.
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| − | Harald then sought to leave his post, but was denied this. He eventually escaped and returned home in 1043, eventually dying at the [[Battle of Stamford Bridge]] while invading England in 1066. The exiled English prince [[Edgar Ætheling]] may also have served with the Guard around 1098.
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| − | The Varangian Guard regained some of its old Scandinavian flavour when Harald Hardråde's grandson, [[Sigurd I of Norway]], went on a crusade to the holy land. After fighting battles against the Muslims, King Sigurd let the rest of his force, who originally numbered 6000 men, join the Varangian Guard. King Sigurd returned home with less than a hundred of his personal Guard.
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | {{wiktionary|Varangian}}
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| − | *For the Scandinavians who travelled westward, see [[Vikings]]
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| − | *[[Rulers of Kievan Rus]]
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| − | *[[Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy]]
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| − | *[[Byzantine army]]
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| − | *[[Kylfings]]
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| − | *[[Piraeus Lion]] (inscription made by Varangians)
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| − | *[[Varangian Rossi]]
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| − | ==References==
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| − | ===Bibliography===
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| − | ====Primary sources====
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| − | <div class="references-small">
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| − | *[[Russian Primary Chronicle]]
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| − | *''[[Strategikon]]'' by [[Kekaumenos]]
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| − | *''[[Alexiad]]'' by [[Anna Comnena|Anna Komnena]]
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| − | *''Historia ecclesiatica'' by Ordericus Vitalis
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| − | *''Chronicon universale anonymi Laudunensis''
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| − | *''[[Jatvardar saga]]''
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| − | *''[[Heimskringla]]''
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| − | *''[[Laxdœla saga]]''
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| − | </div>
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| − |
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| − | ====Secondary sources====
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| − | <div class="references-small">
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| − | *Sigfus Blondal. ''Varangians of Byzantium: An Aspect of Byzantine Military History''. Trans. by Benedikt S. Benedikz, Cambridge: 1978. ISBN 0-521-21745-8
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| − | *H.R. Ellis Davidson. ''The Viking Road to Byzantium''. London: 1976. ISBN 0-04-940049-5
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| − | *Jansson, Sven B. (1980). ''Runstenar''. STF, Stockholm. ISBN 91-7156-015-7
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| − | *Enoksen, Lars Magnar. (1998). ''Runor : historia, tydning, tolkning''. Historiska Media, Falun. ISBN 91-88930-32-7
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| − | </div>
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| − |
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| − | ====External links====
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| − | <div class="references-small">
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| − | *[http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/articles/pappas1.htm English Refugees in the Byzantine Armed Forces: The Varangian Guard and Anglo-Saxon Ethnic Consciousness] by Nicholas C.J. Pappas for [http://www.deremilitari.org De Re Militari.org]
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| − | </div>
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| − |
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| − | ===Notes===
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| − | {{Reflist|2}}
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| − | {{Gardariki}}
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| − | [[category:Politics and social sciences]]
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| − | [[category:Politics]]
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| − | [[category:History]]
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| − | {{credits|266188796}}
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