Berserker

Berserkers (or berserks) were a special kind of Norse warrior who were widely feared.^[1] Old Norse literature said they fought in a wild, trance-like fury. This later gave us the English word berserk.

Many Old Norse sources say that berserkers were real. Most historians believe that berserkers worked themselves into a rage before battle. Others think they might have eaten drugged foods. The Ynglinga saga said they charged their enemy without any armour.^[2] Also that they were as mad as wolves. They could kill the enemy with a single blow of their sword while neither fire nor iron could hurt them.^[2]

Berserker Media

Ulfheðnar – wolf warrior
A fresco in the 11th c. Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv that appears to depict a berserker ritual performed by Varangians (Scandinavians)^[3]
Sorcerers by Nicholas K. Roerich, which depicts ulfheðnar performing a ritual
An animal headed warrior and a one eyed character on one of the Torslunda plates.
A wolf headed warrior on the Gutenstein scabbard [de].
An antlered figure on the Gundestrup cauldron.

References

↑ James A. Corrick, The Rough, Stormy Age of Vikings (Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2011), p. 12
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 René Chartrand; et al, The Vikings: Voyagers of Discovery and Plunder (Oxford; New York: Osprey, 2008), p. 102
↑ Price 2019, p. 307.

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[1] James A. Corrick, The Rough, Stormy Age of Vikings (Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2011), p. 12

[Chartrand102-2] 2.0 ^2.1 René Chartrand; et al, The Vikings: Voyagers of Discovery and Plunder (Oxford; New York: Osprey, 2008), p. 102

[FOOTNOTEPrice2019307-3] Price 2019, p. 307.

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