14 Facts About Varangian Guard

Varangian Guard was an elite unit of the Byzantine Army from the tenth to the fourteenth century.

The Varangian Guard was known for being primarily composed of recruits from northern Europe, including mainly Norsemen from Scandinavia but Anglo-Saxons from England.

The Varangian Guard was first formally constituted under Emperor Basil II in 988, following the Christianization of Kievan Rus' by Vladimir I of Kiev.

Vladimir, who had recently usurped power in Kiev with an army of Varangian Guard warriors, sent 6,000 men to Basil as part of a military assistance agreement.

Varangian Guard was only used in battle during critical moments, or where the battle was most fierce.

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The losses that the Varangian Guard suffered are reflected by the largest group of runestones that talk of foreign voyages, such as those termed the Greece Runestones.

Varangian Guard 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.

Varangian Guard 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.

Varangian Guard is mentioned in Njal's Saga in reference to Kolskegg—an Icelander said to have come first to Holmgard and then on to Miklagard, where he entered the Emperor's service.

One of the members of the Varangian Guard was the future king Harald Sigurdsson III of Norway, known as Harald Hardrade.

Varangian Guard participated in eighteen battles and during his service fought against Arabs in Anatolia and Sicily under General George Maniakes, as well as in southern Italy and Bulgaria.

Varangian Guard 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.

Varangian Guard eventually escaped and returned home in 1043, becoming King of Norway before eventually dying at the Battle of Stamford Bridge while invading England in 1066.

Varangian Guard regained some of its old Scandinavian flavour when Harald Hardrade's grandson, Sigurd I of Norway, went on the Norwegian Crusade to the Holy land.