Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
All credit for the art on the Thumbnail goes to: Christian Sloan Hall
Check out his website HERE: americanvendetta.co.uk
The Varangian Guard, a distinguished unit of the Byzantine Army, existed from the late ninth to the fourteenth century. Comprising Norse, Swedish, and Rus warriors, they were handpicked to serve as the personal bodyguards of Byzantine emperors. These Norsemen with their exceptional combat skills, unwavering loyalty, and distinctive appearance made them an indispensable part of Byzantine military might. Clad in elaborate armor and wielding formidable weapons, the Varangian Guard stood as the epitome of medieval chivalry and martial prowess.
The Varangian guard was a mercenary unit, among its ranks were mainly Norsemen that served as an elite bodyguard and shock troops for the Eastern Roman Emperor in Constantinople from as early as the year 874 to the 14 century. Until the late 11th century, the mercenary group kept an almost entirely Norse cast to the organization until the late 11th century. The Norse Varangian guardsmen would be recognised by their long hair and ornamented dragons sewn on their chainmail. They often wore crimson cloaks with battle axes gilded with gold.
The duties of the Varangian guard were varied, they would stand as the personal bodyguard for the emperor as well as fight on the battlefield as an elite unit. They also had to swear oaths of loyalty & had policing duties such as guarding the royal treasury and were wardens in imperial prisons. These warriors patrolled the halls of the great palace, accompanied the emperor to war and kept order on the streets.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:02 Chapter 1 - Founding the Order
05:07 Chapter 2 - Berserkers in the Order
06:42 Chapter 3 - Harald Hardrada Enlists
14:40 Chapter 4 - The End of the Varangian Guard
Credit for the musical tracks go to:
"Savfk - The Travelling Symphony" is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)
Song : Noel Malekar - Voice of Prayer (No Copyright Music)
Video Link:
• [No Copyright Mus...
Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkK...
Track : Myths and Legends (Collection)
Composer: Noonsol
#historyprofiles #vikings #viking #vikinghistory #varangian #haraldhardrada #byzantine_empire #mercenaries #vikingwarriors #norse #norsemythology #bodyguard #elitewarriors #berserker #berserk
All credit for the art on the Thumbnail goes to: Christian Sloan Hall
Check out his website HERE: americanvendetta.co.uk
The Varangian Guard, a distinguished unit of the Byzantine Army, existed from the late ninth to the fourteenth century. Comprising Norse, Swedish, and Rus warriors, they were handpicked to serve as the personal bodyguards of Byzantine emperors. These Norsemen with their exceptional combat skills, unwavering loyalty, and distinctive appearance made them an indispensable part of Byzantine military might. Clad in elaborate armor and wielding formidable weapons, the Varangian Guard stood as the epitome of medieval chivalry and martial prowess.
The Varangian guard was a mercenary unit, among its ranks were mainly Norsemen that served as an elite bodyguard and shock troops for the Eastern Roman Emperor in Constantinople from as early as the year 874 to the 14 century. Until the late 11th century, the mercenary group kept an almost entirely Norse cast to the organization until the late 11th century. The Norse Varangian guardsmen would be recognised by their long hair and ornamented dragons sewn on their chainmail. They often wore crimson cloaks with battle axes gilded with gold.
The duties of the Varangian guard were varied, they would stand as the personal bodyguard for the emperor as well as fight on the battlefield as an elite unit. They also had to swear oaths of loyalty & had policing duties such as guarding the royal treasury and were wardens in imperial prisons. These warriors patrolled the halls of the great palace, accompanied the emperor to war and kept order on the streets.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:02 Chapter 1 - Founding the Order
05:07 Chapter 2 - Berserkers in the Order
06:42 Chapter 3 - Harald Hardrada Enlists
14:40 Chapter 4 - The End of the Varangian Guard
Credit for the musical tracks go to:
"Savfk - The Travelling Symphony" is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)
Song : Noel Malekar - Voice of Prayer (No Copyright Music)
Video Link:
• [No Copyright Mus...
Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJkK...
Track : Myths and Legends (Collection)
Composer: Noonsol
#historyprofiles #vikings #viking #vikinghistory #varangian #haraldhardrada #byzantine_empire #mercenaries #vikingwarriors #norse #norsemythology #bodyguard #elitewarriors #berserker #berserk
