So with the last article about the JomsVikings. Does that mean that Vikings in general, the ones that pillaged and such and went on campaigns were they just what you consider mercenaries of today and would fight for other Viking forces or for Christian or Muslim forces if desired. Evidence of all three.
Were Vikings then a Mercenary force??
- Thread starter Jersay
- Start date
They were the Varangians and they have been reported to have been used in Africa and Russia by different parties so I don't think it would be to difficult to speculate to think that they were a mercenary force. And probably to the highest bidder.
RE: Were Vikings then a M
Hey, I watched a program about the Vikings invading and colonizing England this weekend.
They certainly weren't about Christianity.
Hey, I watched a program about the Vikings invading and colonizing England this weekend.
They certainly weren't about Christianity.
I suppose it depends how you define a mercenary. If it means a person who is paid to fight for a cause without caring about the cause or even believing in the cause, then many people of that time were mercenaries, fighting for a ruler only because they would get some food or money to do so, switching allegiance according to what was the best deal for themselves.
You might be right. There was probably alot of different kinds of mercenary forces, but what would be the most sought after.
Don't forget about that group of Vikings called
the Beserkers !! That group forever dominated
the popular but wrong view of the diversity of the
Vikings.
Some words live forever.
Beserk !!
the Beserkers !! That group forever dominated
the popular but wrong view of the diversity of the
Vikings.
Some words live forever.
Beserk !!
Agreed. They were really interesting but like you say they dominated but the wrong view of the Viking people.