Norsemen
From BelegarthWiki
Norsemen, also known as Vikings, are humans from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland although they also had great influence in Russia, England, Ireland, France, and Greenland; even conducting raids to Constantinople and North America.
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The Viking Age
The Viking Age is the period of time extending between the years the raid of Lindisfarne in 793 AD until the Battle of Hastings in 1066. However raiding was common practice before these years during the time know as the Vendal Period. These raids were sponsored by powerful war chiefs to gather wealth and glory for themselves as well as their followers. If a chief was defeated or showed weakness his warriors would likely desert him. The Norse valued strong, independent leaders who balanced the law of the land alongside the individual's personal freedom. When Harald Finehair first united Norway under one kingdom in the mid 9th Century, many people left to settle in other lands to preserve this freedom. In pre-Christian Norse society women enjoyed a great deal more freedoms then their Christian counterparts. Although they are often portrayed as dirty heathen barbarians, in actuality Norse culture was very rich with art and song.
Religon
The Norse were pagans with a very colorful cast of gods and goddesses. The Asatru faith was deply inspired by Germanic religions and could date back as far as 10,000 BC. The Norse saw their gods around them during their every day lives whether it was in Odin's ravens or the rumble of Thor's goat cart. Many of the gods are known to wander Midgard, the realm of man, and are constantly meddling in the affairs of all the denizens of Yggdrasil - the World Tree - that holds up and connects all the Nine Worlds.
Norse made casual sacrifices to the gods and spirits of the land throughout the year but especially during Jol feasts (modern day Christmas). The celebration was so sacred that berserks would often postpone duels until after the holiday concluded. Other rituals and sacrifices were held. Every Nine years a Blot would be conducted by local chieftains. The Blot included a great feast for their followers and neighbors but only after they had performed their sacrifices. The Odin-Priest would sacrifice nine of every animal and nine humans (including prisoners of war). It was considered an honored death to be sacrificed to the gods. Other honorable deaths included execution for crimes that could not be compensated for with money (called wergeld). If the person faced their death with honor and a smile their soul could make the journey to Valhalla. The greatest death a Viking warrior or Shield maiden could hope to attain was to die victoriously in battle and be carried away by the Valkyries to Odin's or Freyja's hall (the latter called Folkvang) in Asgard - the realm of the Aesir.
Weapons and Armor
Our knowledge about arms and armor of the Viking age is based on relatively sparse archaeological finds and pictorial representation.
According to custom, all free Norsemen owned weapons, as well as carried them at all times. These arms were also indicative of a Viking's social status. A wealthy Viking would have a complete ensemble of a helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and animal-skin coat, among various other armaments.
The spear and shield were the most basic armaments of the Viking warrior. Other common weapons were the axe and seax knife. The seax knife was a long knife or short sword many Norse would wear horizontally on the back of their belt. It was a practical utility knife as well as a good close-quarters weapon. The sword was a very rare and powerful item reserved for huscarls and royalty. Another common and very symbolic weapon of the Norse was the axe - from the short throwing axe to the two-handed Dane axe. Few weapons were as versatile and well received.
Many Vikings had ancestral weapons, passed down through generations. Some were the famous Ulfberht swords forged from a near magical quality steel that was unseen in Europe again until the Industrial Revolution. Such ancestral weapons (axes, swords, spears even) would have names like Hrunting or Gram. During forging animal bones from a bear or wolf or even the bones of a dead ancestor would be added to the iron giving it strength. After a warrior fell in battle it was common custom to bend their swords and break their shields so they could not be manipulated by the angry spirit of the dead.
Daily Life
Not everyone who lived in a Norse country was a Viking. Only a hand full could afford to go risk life and limb for glory. Instead all Nordic peoples became skilled in blacksmithing, hunting, fishing, and wood working (most notably the building of their amazing ships). They lived in homes that centered around a hearth. During the winter men and women would gather around their central hearth or the hearth of the local chief to eat and tell stories. This was how the rich mythology and folklore of the Nordic peoples was passed from generation to generation. Some would tell stories of the gods, other of their own deeds in battle. If they were lucky, a traveling storyteller called a skald would visit them and bring new tales from the far corners of the land. Skalds would also accompany heroes and kings to learn of their actions to compose into songs (spoken word or sang) to commemorate them. In the spring / early summer the lumber of winter would give way to hastened activity to plant the crops and ready the ships. Once the ships were refitted and resealed, the chief would lead his men on a war trial raiding his neighbors or battling a enemy sometimes taking it as far as the Mediterranean. Depending on the scope of the trip the war band may have to over-winter in strange lands surviving where they find strand. Proof of the Vikings' amazing versatility. But raids were not the only thing ships were used for. It was probably more common that the Vikings were tradesmen bringing fish and wool to trade for steel and other valuables. Summer would be a time for hunting and gathering as well as personal crafts that could not be done in the winter. When Autumn came there was another rush of activity to bring in the harvest and prepare winter stores. There may be summer raids and autumn raids as well depending on the richness of the land. Vikings used the wealth of these adventures to supplement their own. Arable farmland was rare and valuable in Scandinavia leading to many disputes over ownership. After the land owner died, the land would be divided between his / her heirs. Unfortunately this lead to conflict despite the fact that kin-slaying was a grievous to the gods. Any guest was given guest-right: food and drink as well as a place to sleep until they parted ways. Killing a guest is another terrible act.
In death a Norseman would have been either burned or buried depending of time, place, and religion. Some were buried in large hills called howes with their wealth and goods. If the dead was a nobleman, a slave may have volunteered to die with them and was sacrificed before the burial / burning. Sometimes the grave would have been marked by a cairn - a loose pile of stones. Yet other times there was not a grave site or marker and a rune stone covered in depictions of serpents and the gods would have been errected in the memory of the dead. Although rune stones were more often used to commemorate deeds in life and construction projects. Like, "I am Harald. I built this bridge."
Fighting Tactics
There are many misconceptions of how a Viking fought. Many thought they were simple minded berserkers who charged hastily into the fray without hesitation. Although it is true that some men were berserkers and indeed Vikings fought without fear of death, that does not mean they sought for it. If a Viking could escape a trap and live to fight and possibly defeat his enemy on another day, that Viking would do so. But, if Odin betrayed them, they would see no escape and go down with sword in hand slaying all he could before being defeated. The Vikings believed Odin sent Valkyries to guide them through battle and that no matter what, Odin fates them to either live or die in the fight. If Odin brings them safely to victory then it was not yet that warriors time to journey to Asgard. But when Odin betrays them, it is a complement and blessing. For that means that warrior is in his prime and Odin requires him for Ragnarok - the doom of the gods.
Viking armies would be arranged by band, each warrior fighting mostly for his war chief - although that chief may have sworn allegiance to a jarl or king. Armies would post up on opposite sides of the field and yell insults at each other. Individual warriors would take this time to challenge opponents to single combat. Often these duels would be to resolve a previous grievance. If these displays of war were not enough the armies would begin to launch many volleys of arrows and other missile weapons at each other. The huscarls and hirdmen of the chiefs would form a shieldberg (like a roman testudo formation) around them to protect them. This is where most battles ended with both sides moving on to bigger and better things. But if the insults were good or the leaders of the armies hated each other enough the charge would sound. The men would form shield walls behind the banners. This served for mutual protection as well as to bolster moral. The pace would be set by the sound of axes beating on shields. Right before the lines met they would divide into a skirmish formation giving the men room to throw spears and swing their weapons. Fighting for a Viking was not the graceful dance of a samurai or the heavy sweeps of a medieval knight. They fought in a brutally fast hammering way meant to frighten the opponent and break their shield. Most deaths resulted from head or leg wounds. The leader of these armies would either be in the back yelling commands or (if he was a more courageous sort) seen fighting before his banner dealing two handed blows. One king fought a entire battle without any clothing on and without a shield. Vikings admired courage, and if a leader did not fight often and well that leader would find his army dissolved and routed.
Sea battles were much the same. Ships would use grappling hooks to pull themselves together. Planks that were laid across the deck would serve as the battle field. Spears and other long weapons such as the Dane axe would be used to stab / pull people into the water where they would sink due to the weight of armor. Other then these differences the battle would be much the same. The greatest prize following the battle would have been the ship. Ships were expensive and so sinking a ship in battle was considered a bad investment however strategic the act of doing so may be.
In general a Viking warrior fights primarily for personal glory causing a certain recklessness and lack of discipline - expect in a nobleman's personal retinue. Courage and cunning were the weapons of a Nordic warrior on the field.
Role Playing a Viking 101
So you want to be a Viking? That's good. We're under represented in Belegarth. Of course this means you'll have to represent Vikings appropriately. That means NO HORNED HELMETS!
Personality: Norsemen are lovers of song, the outdoors, sport, and good drink and food. Although welcoming and full of good will, Norsemen are dangerous when angered or insulted. On the battlefield they can be brutishly fierce to frighteningly cunning. Norsemen are resourceful and quick witted.
Norsemen look for strong leadership. If a leader was timid or weak in any way a Norse would abandon them. Viking chieftains often gifted their warriors with rings, weapons, armor, or other treasures in return for their service. However, in Belegarth you should look for a leader who allows personal freedom but is still strong and skilled in battle.
Garb and Appearance: Norse men and women are tall, with blonde, red, or light colored hair and blue/green eyes. They are often bearded. If you do not fit this niche and want to be a Norseman more power to you.
In belegarth it is difficult to use strictly period materials. But if you can, you should make a linen or wool tunic and pants. If you have a tunic and pants then that's good enough. For armor Vikings wear chain or minimal leather plate. Pauldrons and bracers. If your persona is a rich Viking then a breast plate will work as well.
The present author would encourage you to customize your garb after a certain profession like hunting, fishing, or blacksmithing. This allows for personalization with a lower budget. Not every Norseman was a jarl. Embellishing your garb with runic writing and Nordic knot work is a good way to show your race off.
Weapons: Do whatever. Its belegarth.
Battle Rituals: Before battle it is customary to wash your face, clear out your nose, brush your hair and comb the beard using cold water. Then a healthy smearing of red blood (face paint) should be applied to the face and arms. Red is a color used to show hostile intent. After, a quick prayer and offering to whatever gods you hold is never a bad thing.
Keeping the gods: The present author is very devoted to the old gods of the North and so represents them on the field. Wearing Thor's hammers or other pegan pendants is a good way to show this devotion. However, if your Norse persona is of the Faith of the White Christ don't be afraid to wear a cross and defend that notion. Certain members of your kin may accept it, others may be ok with it, some might not care. Stand by the Nordic values of freedom and do what you want.
Norse on the other Races: Although Norseman are accepting of other people, we also aren't easy to trust or rely on others (including others of our kin unless bound by oaths of loyalty).
- Dwarves: share similar interests with Norsemen and trade is common, but due to their mischief among the gods they are kept at a distance
- Elves: small amounts of trade, general distrust, minimal contact
- Goblins: loathed, thought as week,
- Trolls and Ogres: respected and feared, trolls are hunted and slain by heroes of the Norse
- Orks: somewhere in between goblins and trolls
- Skaven: vermin
- Gnolls/Bugbears/Werewolves/Dire Bears: slain for trophies, sometimes befriended
- Lizardmen and Kobolds: kept far away
- Birdpeople: easily killed and no threat
- Romans: Girly and to strict
- Scots, Celts, etc.: Good fighters and can make good allies
- Saxons, English: Fun to kill and raid. But can be a threat in large numbers.
- Knights: Worthy of respect. Revered as great warriors and may even be well liked if they conduct themselves with honor. Without honor, they are nothing.
Known Vikings in Belegarth
Feel free to add yourself.
Ravn the Skinner
Sigurd Amundson
Visund Alrikson
Recommended Reading
For those who want to learn more and have the time and energy, here are some helpful books.
The Northern Path by Douglass Dag Rossman
The Heimskringla by Snorre Sturlason
The Edda by Snorre Sturlason
Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga from Smithsonian Books
The Viking Art of War by Paddy Griffith
Sword Song by Sutcliff
Vikings a trilogy by Tim Severin
