The Varangian Guard, an elite group within the Byzantine army from the 10th to the 14th century, served as personal bodyguards to the Byzantine emperors. Most members of this unit hailed from Northern Europe, such as Norsemen from Scandinavia and later Anglo-Saxons from England. Their origin far from the Byzantine Empire made them less susceptible to internal uprisings. A significant number of recruits came from Scandinavia, prompting several Scandinavian countries to enact laws limiting inheritances of emigrated guard members. In later years, the guard mainly consisted of Anglo-Saxons and other peoples who had previously suffered from Viking incursions.
The Varangians, originally from the Kievan Rus', were formally established under Emperor Basil II in 988 following the Christianization of Kiev by Vladimir I. They participated in military operations in places such as Italy and Sicily, alongside other Vikings and Lombards. The guard members were known for their use of the Danish axe and were often described as riders, although they mostly fought on foot. Apart from their role as bodyguards, they had ceremonial and policing duties and enjoyed the unique privilege of rushing to the imperial treasury upon the death of the Byzantine emperor to take gold and gemstones (polutasvarf). This encouraged more Scandinavians to join the guard and journey to Miklagarðr (Swedish = Miklagård = 'The Great City', i.e., Constantinople).
The Varangians also left a heritage of runestones in Scandinavia, commemorating their travels and losses, particularly the Greek Runestones. These runestones testify to the influence of Byzantine culture on the Varangians and serve as enduring reminders of their history.
Ragnvald
At the heart of this era of exploration, trade, and conquest stands Ragnvald, a Viking man whose life embodies an epic journey. In this blog, we introduce a member of the Byzantine Varangian Guard.
Ragnvald hails from aristocratic lineage and was born in South Sweden. In his teenage years, Ragnvald traveled down the Volga River in search of status and adventure, reaching the realm of the Kievan Rus. From there, he continued his journey to Byzantine Constantinople, where he became a member of the Varangian Guard. His aspiration was to make a name for himself, much like those men depicted in sagas, mythical tales, and poems. Ragnvald intends to return to South Sweden only when he's laden with gold.
In this portrayal, Ragnvald wears expensive clothing and carries a sword and mail coat inherited from his family. As a member of the guard, he also earns a substantial amount of money for his services.
Viking tunic
Ragnvald wears a long blue tunic that can be paired with an undertunic.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/thorsberg-tunic-herringbone-motif-blue.html
A suitable undertunic, for instance, is the Leif tunic: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/tunic-leif-white.html
Viking trousers
Ragnvald wears a typical "puffed" trousers commonly seen throughout the Viking world, also known as a Rusvik trouser.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-rusvik-pants-brown.html
Isn't this the model you're looking for? Take a look at our Viking trousers. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/clothing/viking/viking-trousers-pants/
Viking belt & pouch
For the Viking belt and pouch, we've chosen fittings unearthed in Birka. Birka was the trading hub that connected Scandinavia to the Baltic Sea, the Kievan Rus', and Constantinople.
Viking shoes
The shoes Ragnvald wears are boots based on findings from the Oseberg ship. These boots can be folded down into lower shoes.
Viking kaftan and cap
During his journey to Constantinople, Ragnvald brings along his kaftan and cap.
The kaftan is made of blue wool and serves as a type of jacket. The design might have originated from an early Germanic style overcoat or influenced by interactions with neighboring peoples such as the Alans.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-caftan-loki-blue.html
The cap is made of wool.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-cap-borka-orange.html
Viking Winingas (leg wrappings)
In Birka, hooks used to fasten leg wrappings were found in various graves. Hence, in this portrayal, we've chosen to dress Ragnvald with leg wrappings.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leg-wrappings-aki-red.html
Of course, you can also opt for a less conspicuous color. There are plenty of choices available! https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/clothing/viking/viking-winingas/
Mail coat & gambeson
Multiple fragments of mail coats have been found in Scandinavia. Fragments of mail coats have also been discovered in Birka. We assume that Ragnvald took his mail coat from South Sweden (the land of the Rus) on his journey towards Constantinople.
Unfortunately, no fragments of Viking gambesons have been found. However, it is assumed that Vikings wore a gambeson or another padded tunic beneath their mail coat. Mail coats protect against cuts and to a lesser extent against stabs, but gambesons were necessary to safeguard against the impact of blows.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/chainmail-haubergeon-john-flat-rings-round-rivets.html
Viking scale armor
In Scandinavia, very few findings of scale armor, also known as lamellar armor, have been discovered. Only two fragments of scale armor have been recovered from Gotland and a few fragments from Birka. Analyses indicate that the latter were not made in Scandinavia. More scale armor was utilized in regions such as Russia, Ukraine, and the Byzantine Empire. For Ragnvald, the scale armor he wears serves as an extension to his current armor. Scale armor was easier to produce than mail coats and offered better protection against stabs. Since Ragnvald also wears his mail coat, the gaps in the scale armor are additionally safeguarded.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/early-medieval-lamellar-armour-visby.html
Danish axe
The Danish axe was the trademark of the Varangian Guard. These axes were brought from the Viking territories and reportedly could even decapitate a horse. These impressive axes were later adopted by the Anglo-Saxons and also the Scottish-Irish galloglass.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/danish-axe-antiqued-royal-armouries.html
Viking weapons
In addition to these primary weapons, Ragnvald had a variety of other weapons. He was also familiar with archery and horseback riding. 10th-century Viking graves of wealthy Vikings often contained multiple weapons, frequently of high quality. It was common for multiple spears or axes to be included in a single grave.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/buy-sword/viking-axe/
Ragnvald would likely have also carried a sword.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/buy-sword/viking-sword/
Viking spectacle helmet
Only a few Viking helmets have been found (Gjermundbu, Yarm, Tjele, Lokrume, Kyif), and it's assumed that Vikings didn't exclusively wear spectacle helmets. Around the 10th century, spangenhelms like this one were worn in Europe.
Later, members of the Varangian Guard wore a nasal helmet like this, showing Slavic influences.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/ulfberth-early-medieval-savic-helmet.html
Viking shield
In addition to his weapons, Ragnvald carried a shield. The shields of the Varangian Guard are mentioned in various historical sources and are also depicted in an 11th-century fresco in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. These round Viking shields were of great importance in building shield walls as a frontline against the enemy, although the Varangian Guard was primarily unleashed on the battlefield during critical moments. They were ideal for breaking through lines.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-shield-ragnar-120292998.html
Prefer a different design on your Viking shield? Several designs are available:
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Homecoming
Whether Ragnvald will ever see his homeland again remains a question. Of the 30 runestones erected in Sweden commemorating adventures in Constantinople, 25 tell stories of members who never returned alive. However, a few inscriptions mention men who, laden with wealth, did return to Sweden. Even the renowned Norwegian king Harald III (Harald Hardrada, 1015-1066) served in the Varangian Guard, gaining fame, only to meet a true Viking's end during the bloody Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, England.