The Anglo Saxon Varangian Guard

English in the Byzantine Armed Forces: The Varangian Guard and Anglo-Saxon Ethnic Consciousness One of the most interesting episodes in Byzantine military history and in medieval English history is the Anglo-Saxon participation and service in the Varangian Guards regiment from the late 11th to the early 13th century. Byzantine army became increasingly dependent upon mercenary forces. into service of the Byzantine Emperor were Anglo-Saxons, who eventually made up the main component of the traditional foreign mercenary force that guarded the person of the Emperor.