Norse Warfare: The Unconventional Battle Strategies of the Ancient Vikings by Martina Sprague

Author:Martina Sprague [Sconosciuto]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-10-31T04:50:00+00:00

They were men ucho knew hoo to die: "They look death unflinchingly in the eye and with a jest on their lips. They lore life but would not be able to sarn'u'e the taunt of haying begged,%or

he Jomsvikings, the most renowned of all Norse warriors, were men committed to honor and courage. They lived by a strict code of ethics and pledged total allegiance to their leader. They were physically strong, skilled at arms, ever-ready for battle, loyal to their peers, and unafraid of death. These warriors formed a stronghold at the fort of Jomsborg, thought to have been located near modern Wolin in the Baltic Sea just off the Polish coast. But the existence of this elite fort, said to have had a lifespan of only eighty years, has not been fully corroborated by historical records, and some scholars claim it may never have existed.

Legend has it that the three sons of a powerful plan named Toke from the Danish island of Fyen were in dispute among themselves over their inheritance. On the death of their father, two of the sons, Ake and Palner, took the entire inheritance, leaving Fjolner, born of a different mother, embittered because he felt he was entitled to a third of the property. lie went to see Harald Bluetooth (Gormsson), the ambitious king of Denmark, where lie was well received, became the king's closest advisor, and persuaded Harald to assassinate Ake.' "Ake is it wealthy man who goes a-Viking with his ships every year," Fjolner told the king. "You cannot consider yourself full king of Denmark, so long as this man threatens your kingdom." Harald took Fjolner's advice, readied a fleet of ten ships and five hundred men and killed Ake in a surprise attack at sea.

When he received news of the murder, Palner was so upset that he took to his bed.' Since he was too weak to avenge his brother's death, he sought the advice of his good friend and foster-brother Sigurd regarding the future protection of his inherited dominions. Sigurd suggested that Palner ask for Ingeborg, daughter of Earl Ottar of Gotland (the large island off southern Sweden), in marriage. only would this union strengthen Palner's wealth and social standing, it might also give him an heir who could avenge Ake's murder. Palner took Sigurd's advice, married Ingeborg and had a son called Toke, whose destiny it becanie to avenge Ake's death.

Toke displayed traits of courage and strength from early childhood and became known as Palnatoke or Palner's Toke. Considered the founder of the Jomsborg fort, it is around him, as the elite group's first leader, that much of the Jomsvikings' story revolves. Palner died before his son reached maturity and never witnessed the establishment of Jonisborg, and the subsequent harassment, kidnappings and threats to the Danish king's dominions.'

After his father's death, Palnatoke decided to make a name for himself by going a-Viking; he readied twelve ships, pillaged and plundered far and wide and became famous for his exploits. During a visit to England, he married Olufa, daughter of Earl St.

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