Ron Bleac Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 "Miklagaard* has been our home, for 20 years or more. We've lent our axes, spears and swords in service of the Emperor."*Constantinople. Picture from the Skylitze Chronicles.The Varangian Guard (also known as the "Varyag Guard" and the "pelekyphoroi barbaroi" in some scriptures. The latter translates to "Axe bearing foreigners") was the elite bodyguard unit of the Byzantine emperor. Providing 24 hour protection, they served a multitude of roles: Investigating treason, heresy and sometimes even police duty. Not only are the Varangian guard a police unit, they were also used in battle several times throughout their existence. They were noted for their extreme brutality and choice of weaponry: In particular, their trademark Nordic battle axe (Note: See the picture above and note the large presence of polearms.) They fought where the battle was at its fiercest and turned the tide. Well equipped, the Guard relied primarily on their extreme strenght and will in battle, often seen plowing their way through lines of hostile infantry in brutal head-on charges, using their axes as giant meat cleavers. 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". The Varangian guard was composed of several ethnicities, but they were primarily of Scandinavian origin with large amounts of members from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Rus' areas. They were men from every major religion: "There's men of the cross and the hammer, a few of the moon crescent."The Varangian guard was also given extreme liberty in how to arrange their armor and armament. But most famous is the following:Note the equipment: A large mail hauberk covers his chest and arms, but it ends before the elbows. This was due to the Byzantine armor and local troops being shorter than that of the Varangians. Exceptionally tall Byzantine troops, along with the Varangians preferred to fit small metal strips on their forearms to allow for better protection and movement. In this picture, the Varangian warrior (portrayed by a re-enactor) is holding a Danish, single edged battle axe. Under the mail armor, the Varangian wears a large and thick woollen overcoat. It's no doubt hot, but gives extra protection against blades or tipped weapons such as spears or arrows. The helmet is of typical Nordic construction, with runes carved onto the nose plate. The leg greaves are of the same construction as the arm plates. By average, a Varangian warrior carried heavier equipment than regular Byzantine troops. Varyags would also use weaponry from Byzantine armories, preferring the Byzantine stabbing swords rather than the broad Nordsword that recruits from Nordic families often brought with them as protection. The reason for this is that a stabbing blade penetrates armor easier and is lighter, which gives the user higher ability to maneuver.Whilst the Varangian Guard acted as an elite combat unit and personal guardians, they were noted for holding a loalty to the Emperor like no other. When the Emperor was alive, they would protect him to the death in battle and die clutching their polearms. Their extreme loalty did not stem from chivalry, but the fact the Emperor was paying them a large sum of money. That money being from his personal treasury. You see, when the Emperor died the Varangian guard the right to "sack the palace" and take as many valuables as they could carry and travel back home to Scandinavia, leaving most of them wealthy men. This prompted even more youth from the North to enlist in the Guard upon the return of old veterans, keeping the Guard in constant supply of new blood.But the Varangian guard was not *always* the most loyal. Their loalty was to the throne, or at least the current occupier of that throne, not the Emperor himself. In 969 when Emperor Nikephoros II was assasinated, a servant called over the Guard for help. Upon arrival, the Emperor lay dead in a pool of blood with his assassin standing over him. The Varangian guard bowed to the assassin, proclaiming him the new Emperor John Tzimiskes the first. And then promptly sacked the palace because that's what Vikings do.In 1071 when Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes was defeated by a foreign Sultan, most of the Varangian Guard sacrificed themselves in battle so that he could escape. They fell to the last man but had prior to the battle left a small contingent of Varangian Guards protecting the palace that was within Constantinople. Before the Emperor could arrive, his stepson John Doukaé ordered the remaining guardsmen to arrest the Empress and proclaim his brother Michael, Emperor. The Guard who had to obey the orders of Imperial blood did so and deposed the absent leader and crowned Michael, declaring him "Michael VII, his holiness." And then got really drunk.In another bout of violence the Guard also rebelled against another great big jackass Emperor called "Nikephoros." Nikephoros, being a filthy cookie like he was blinded one of the Varyags favourite Generals: Nikephoros Bryennios who had revolted against the throne. They fought with great passion and in a fit of rage but were suppressed by large amounts of local troops. After being defeated by the locals, the Varangian guard asked for a pardon, which they were graciously granted by the same guy they just tried to behead. They were from that point on referred to as noble savages and continued to serve as personal guardsmen.A number of historical sources testify for the existence of the Varangian Guard. In fact, several runestones in Sweden have Byzantine crosses carved onto them in memory of those who left for the Guard and never came back. Several inscriptions and preserved historical records even conserve the names of future Guardsmen who left for Constantinople, or men who served with them and died in battle. Men such as Ásbjôrn, who left for Constantinople in 1010 and died in battle against the Turks. Or men such as Ásgautr who returned, but went back to live his life with the Guard. Haraldr broður Ingvarrs (Haraldr brother of Ingvarrs), died in battle in Serkland. And his brother Ingvarr, who "died in the East." Or the most famous of them all: Haraldr harðráði, who fought with the Varangian Guard from 1032-1042 and later on became the King of Norway.The Varangian Guard disbanded when the Byzantine Empire finally fell, but most of its member base scattered into Europe, or remained in the service of local states.In modern media the Varangian Guard is featured extensively in both Middle-Eastern and Scandinavian music. Particularly, of the Viking metal variety. The Finnish Viking metal band Turisas recently released an album called "The Varangian Way" in which a song titled "A Portage to the Unknown" tells the story of the previously mentioned Ingvarr and his ship crew.[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpIIAffYstQ&NR=1We've sailed across the seaRowed for miles and miles upstreamPassed by AldeigjuborgSeen Lake Ilmen gleamIngvarr took the leadAfter Holmgard as agreedWhat the end of Lovat meantWas soon to be seenAnother song titled "Stand up and Fight" is a direct tribute to the Varangian Guard. Note the presence of the Byzantine palace in the album art.[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmLXC-87TUE&feature=relatedThe pouring rain sticks my hair to my face.An empty gaze is all I have leftThe stars that once lead my wayHave dimmedThe sky turned grey.The path once so clearfaded away.Blessed are the dayswhen life is intent and clearNo falter or doubtI know the wayThey are the days I hopedI'd have never stepped from this roadThe spark I once had seems to have diedSTAND UP AND FIGHTStand up and look into the lightpushing the clouds awayStand up and fightStand up and see the sky turn brightFight for a better day.What a reliefIt would be to end this allHow easy to fly the white flagAnd deliverBut should I run today just to die another dayGive up now and every fight has been in vainChorusGet up! You've made it this far!No loser you are!One more time!One more try!Charge their lines!The pouring rain sticks my hair to my faceChorusAnother viking metal band Amon Amarth has paid tribute to the Varangian Guard in a multitude of albums. One of their most popular beats, titled "Varyags of Miklagaard" features quotes from Varangian and Byzantine scriptures.[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq-ZD6LcPwwMiklagaard has been our homeFor twenty years or moreWe've lent our axes, spears and swordsIn service of the emperorWe are loyal warriorsThat's the oath we gaveTo protect the emperorEven to a violent graveOur loyalty was always firmWe kept our given wordOn these southern battlefieldsOur northern war cries roaredBattles have been foughtMany gave their livesBut all who died by axe and swordWere called to hall up highThe Varangian Guard lives on amongst dozens of other elite guard units around the world. Mostly in music and art, or literature, but recent efforts of multiple re-enacting organisations around the world have proven fruitful and multiple little "Varangian Guards" are located around the earth. One in Brazil, one in Istanbul (Constantinople), several in the United States, several more in Russia, one in Australia and Sweden.As a note and a quick edit, if any of you ever get the chance to go to Istanbul, go. It's a beautiful place where two worlds meet, East and West combined into a great city. First man to go to Hagia Sophia and find inscriptions by the Varangian Guard wins. Look for "Hjalmarr was here 1066!" and "Bjorn likes men, haha." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arokh Takakura Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Fascinating reading as always, Evocati Bleac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsukiyomi Yuhara Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Whilst the Varangian Guard acted as an elite combat unit and personal guardians, they were noted for holding a loalty to the Emperor like no other. When the Emperor was alive, they would protect him to the death in battle and die clutching their polearms. Their extreme loalty did not stem from chivalry, but the fact the Emperor was paying them a large sum of money. That money being from his personal treasury. You see, when the Emperor died the Varangian guard the right to "sack the palace" and take as many valuables as they could carry and travel back home to Scandinavia, leaving most of them wealthy men. This prompted even more youth from the North to enlist in the Guard upon the return of old veterans, keeping the Guard in constant supply of new blood.1. Join Praetorian guard2. ????3. Profit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agares Tretiak Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Ahem.Historically, the Praetorians were only loyal to specific Emperors. They got huge salaries in comparison to the rest of the military, had a huge set of forts around Rome, and considerable power and influence. They also killed a fair number of the men they were supposedly sworn to protect. Admittedly, many of the ones they killed were weak, ineffectual, or insane.All this in mind......the Ordo's Praetorian Guard are unquestionably loyal to the Imperator (<3).Also, I want to go to Istanbul and carve into an exterior wall the words '"Sorry I was late, guys" - Ron' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
