EPISODE · Sep 11, 2026 · 34 MIN

The Varangian Guard: Scandinavians as Byzantine Bodyguards

from The Proper British History Podcast: Kings, Queens, Wars, Empire, Politics, Revolutions, Royalty and the Historical Great Britain · host Podily

The episode explores how the Varangian Guard – a corps of Norsemen and later Anglo‑Saxons – became the personal protectors of Byzantine emperors. It looks at how Britain’s post‑Norman upheavals funneled exiled soldiers into Constantinople, illustrating early links between the two empires. Historians debate recruitment motives, service conditions, and the Guard’s lasting influence on both Byzantium and medieval Britain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Varangian Guard: Scandinavians as Byzantine Bodyguards

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