The Viking Hernaðr (793 – 1066 AD)
Viking culture has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past several years, with major movies, television shows, and books recounting the exploits of famous figures in medieval Scandinavian culture. What’s worth mentioning before moving on, however, is that not all Scandinavians were Vikings. The title Viking derives from Old Norse and Old English, roughly translating to “raider” or “pirate” in modern English. Thus, while life was certainly tough for almost everyone in medieval Northern Europe, adventurous Vikings sailing to the far-off coasts of Britannia or the European continent were a particularly hardy and brutal breed of Northmen.
Unlike the some of the emerging powers in continental Europe, or the earlier Western Roman Empire, the Vikings didn’t organize themselves into standing armies. Groups of Scandinavian raiders would instead unite for political, cultural, or economic reasons in the quest for power, fortune, or glory. Savage bands of plunders raided most of coastal Europe for centuries, slaughtering any who stood in their path. Their brutal effectiveness on the battlefield stemmed from many years of hard training while growing up in a culture that glorified virtues like bravery, strength, and decisiveness.
Scandinavian children were taught the lessons of warfare through hunting and violent sport. Eager warriors often pledge allegiance to influential jarls (kings) who waged incessant wars against their rivals. Vikings, on the other hand, looked to the sea and the promise of glory abroad. Part-time adventurers participating in these hernaðrs (campaigns) gained considerable experience and prestige, but were at the mercy of leaders who followed an unforgiving honor system. Moreover, medieval Scandinavia laws and Norse sagas condoned punitive killings under a variety of circumstances. Suffice to say, raiding was a tough way to learn the ropes.