Varangian Guard

In this episode, we explore the Varangian Guard, the elite foreign military corps that protected Byzantine emperors and served as fearsome shock troops from the 10th to the 15th centuries. Originally made up of Norsemen and Rus’ warriors, and later joined by Anglo-Saxons after the Norman conquest of England, the Guard became famous for its loyalty to the imperial throne, battlefield brutality, and iconic use of massive two-handed axes. We also look at their wider roles as palace sentries, enforcers, police forces, and naval fighters, as well as legendary figures like Harald Hardrada, whose service in Byzantium brought him wealth, fame, and a lasting place in medieval saga tradition.