Varangian Guard
Norse imperial protectors
The Varangian Guard was an elite unit of Byzantine emperors' personal bodyguards, composed primarily of Norse and later Anglo-Saxon warriors.
Founded in the late tenth century, the guard was prized for its fierce loyalty—foreign soldiers had no local ties that might tempt them toward palace intrigue.
Harald Hardrada served in the Varangian Guard before becoming King of Norway.
Interlocked defensive battle formation
- battle-axeHeavy bladed war tool
- halberdAxe-headed infantry pike
- infantryGround combat troops
- shock troopsElite offensive combat unit
siege · warfare · tactics · fearsome · formidable · frontline · heavy infantry · close combat
Medieval Scandinavian warriors
- ScandinaviaNordic countries collectively
- VikingsMedieval Scandinavian seafarers
- longshipsMedieval Norse sailing vessels
- sagasExtended heroic narratives
runes · skald · mead hall · fjords · Sweden · Denmark · Norway · Uppsala
Of Constantinople's civilization
- ConstantinopleHistoric Turkish metropolis
- emperorMale ruler of empire
- palaceMonarch's official residence
- Hagia SophiaHistoric Istanbul religious structure
purple · throne room · Bosphorus · Roman legacy · ceremonial · prestige · courtiers · regalia
Given employment
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- goldElement seventy-nine
- payWages for work
- foreign serviceOverseas government representation
adventurer · fortune-seeker · expatriate · enlisted · Thule · plunder · silver · wage
Loyalty owed to authority
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- oathFormal binding promise
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
devotion · fidelity · trustworthiness · honor · reliability · dedication · bond · constancy
Of elite Roman soldiers
- swornBound by formal promise
- handpickedPersonally selected with care
- foreignersPeople from elsewhere
- trustedEarned belief in
incorruptible · inner circle · distinguished · selective · exclusivity · oath-bound · personal protection
shield-wall
Interlocked defensive battle formation
- battle-axeHeavy bladed war tool
- halberdAxe-headed infantry pike
- infantryGround combat troops
shock troops · siege · warfare · tactics · fearsome · formidable · frontline · heavy infantry · close combat · melee
Norsemen
Medieval Scandinavian warriors
- ScandinaviaNordic countries collectively
- VikingsMedieval Scandinavian seafarers
- longshipsMedieval Norse sailing vessels
sagas · runes · skald · mead hall · fjords · Sweden · Denmark · Norway · Uppsala · thing
Byzantine
Of Constantinople's civilization
- ConstantinopleHistoric Turkish metropolis
- emperorMale ruler of empire
- palaceMonarch's official residence
Hagia Sophia · purple · throne room · Bosphorus · Roman legacy · ceremonial · prestige · courtiers · regalia
hired
Given employment
foreign service · adventurer · fortune-seeker · expatriate · enlisted · Thule · plunder · silver · wage · recruitment
allegiance
Loyalty owed to authority
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- oathFormal binding promise
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
steadfastness · devotion · fidelity · trustworthiness · honor · reliability · dedication · bond · constancy · incorruptible
praetorian
Of elite Roman soldiers
- swornBound by formal promise
- handpickedPersonally selected with care
- foreignersPeople from elsewhere
trusted · incorruptible · inner circle · distinguished · selective · exclusivity · oath-bound · personal protection
- VikingsViking, longships, longship, raiding, Norse settlers
- military rolessoldier, warrior, sailor, airwoman, sniper
- warriorsfighter, knight, footsoldier, barbarian, samurai
- Nordic HistoryViking Age, Viking raids, longships, runestones, Great Northern War
- ceremonial guardsBeefeater
- elite guardsBeefeaters, Immortals, Mamluks
guard, guards, bodyguard, unguarded, bodyguards, guardedly, guardedness