In the shadow of the mighty Hagia Sophia in Constantinople walked a group of warriors who inspired fear and awe. They were tall, carried heavy Dane-axes on their shoulders and were known for their brute strength and unwavering loyalty. This was the Varangian Guard: the personal bodyguards of the Byzantine emperors and the most feared elite unit of the Middle Ages.
Quick Facts: The 'Englinbarrangoi'
Origin: Began as a unit of Scandinavian (Norse) and Rus' warriors in the 10th century.
The Axe-swingers: Their primary weapon was the broad-bladed Dane-axe, with which they fought mercilessly in battle.
Loyalty: They swore allegiance to the position of the emperor, not the man himself. This made them more reliable than the politically coloured local Byzantine guards.
Decline and Evolution: After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, large groups of Anglo-Saxons flocked in, giving the guard the nickname Englinbarrangoi (Anglo-Varangians).
An Imperial Decision: Trusting Foreigners
The guard was formally established under Emperor Basil II in 988. Basil, surrounded by Byzantine factions who often threatened his life, sought warriors without local political interests. He found them with Vladimir I of Kiev, who sent him 6,000 Varangian fighters. From that moment on, they formed an impenetrable wall around the throne.
The loyalty of these "axe-wielding barbarians" was legendary. Anna Komnene, the daughter of a later emperor, described their devotion to the emperor as a "sacred, familial tradition". They were willing to fight to the death for their emperor, and showed no mercy to enemies who threatened their master.
The Golden Privilege: Polutasvarf
Life in the guard was not only dangerous; it could also be extremely lucrative. When a Byzantine emperor died, the Varangians enjoyed a unique right: polutasvarf (palace-plundering). They could rush into the treasury and carry away as much gold and precious stones as they could hold. For many, this was the path to a fortune, allowing them to return as wealthy men to their homeland in the distant north.
Traces in Stone
The history of the Varangian Guard is not only found in chronicles, but also in the landscape of Sweden. Hundreds of "Greece-runestones" commemorate warriors who travelled east and never returned. Some runic inscriptions, such as those in the Hagia Sophia itself, were scratched by the Guardsmen themselves – a silent witness to the men who kept watch a thousand years ago in the "Great City" (Miklagarðr).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Were there only Vikings in the Guard?
Not always. Although the guard consisted of Scandinavians and Rus' for the first 100 years, the composition changed drastically after 1066 with the influx of Anglo-Saxons who had lost their land to the Normans.
Why were they perceived as so terrifying?
Foreign chroniclers described with a mix of fascination and horror how the Guardsmen, in a trance – comparable to 'berserkers' – attacked with reckless fury, showing no concern for their own bloodshed or wounds.
Does the guard still exist?
Not as a military force. After the 13th century, the Varangians were largely assimilated by the Byzantine Greeks. However, until around 1400, there were people in Constantinople who proudly called themselves "Varangians".
Summary
The Varangian Guard was the ultimate symbol of the international character of the Byzantine Empire. From the cold coasts of Sweden to the British Isles; warriors travelled thousands of kilometres south to serve the most powerful ruler in Europe. They were the loyal guardians of an empire that fell, but whose story lives on to this day in runestones and historical legends.
