Varangian Guard: Some of the Most Sought-After Mercenaries in History

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In the Middle Ages, battle-hardened Norsemen from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and later England traveled to the Byzantine Empire, where they joined one of the most sought-after and effective mercenary units of the time: The Varangian Guard. Renowned as loyal, disciplined, and effective warriors, they served as the personal guards and elite military force of the Byzantine emperors for more than three centuries. To this day, they are Byzantium’s best-known unit and remain among the most famous mercenaries in history. So, without further ado, let’s explore what made the Varangian Guard so effective, analyze their combat techniques, and unravel the intriguing story of how Norsemen, of all people, became the elite warriors of the Byzantine emperor.

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