The Heimskringla on Varings

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 9. Of Ulf And Haldor.

• attestation: The Varings used a ruse of concealing swords under cloaks and helmets under hats during sports to catch the castle defenders off guard.

  "The Varings observing this, went one day to their sports with the sword under their cloaks, and the helmet under their hats. After playing awhile they observed that the castle people were off their guard; and instantly seizing their weapons, they made at the castle gate."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 10. Battle At A Fourth Castle.

• attestation: The castle garrison sent spies to investigate the unusual activity among the Varings and learned of their commander's illness.

  "the castle people observing there was something new among the Varings, sent out spies to discover what this might mean. When the spies came back to the castle they had to tell of the illness of the commander of the Varings"

• attestation: The Varings placed the coffin across the castle gateway to prevent the gates from closing, then sounded trumpets and attacked.

  "when the corpse was brought within the castle gate the Varings set down the coffin right across the entry, fixed a bar to keep the gates open, and sounded to battle with all their trumpets, and drew their swords."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 20. Of Olaf'S Miracle.

• attestation: The Varings' custom was to sleep fully armed with helmet on, shield over them, and sword under the head with right hand on the handle.

  "It was their custom, when they went to sleep, that each should have his helmet on his head, his shield over him, sword under the head, and the right hand on the sword-handle."

• attestation: The Varings who guarded the emperor lay on the open plain outside the camp during summer campaigns.

  "The Varings who had the guard, and watched over the emperor, lay on the open plain without the camp."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 21. Olaf'S Miracle In Favour Of The Varings.

• attestation: The Varings captured the heathen king in the rout and took the wagon-fortification where the greatest slaughter occurred.

  "The heathen king was taken in the flight of his people, and the Varings brought him along with them; after which the Christians took the camp of the heathens, and their waggon-fortification."

• attestation: The derisive term 'wine-bags' for the Varings revealed Greek contempt for their Norse mercenaries, making the subsequent victory more dramatic.

  "he should now take his wine-bags, the Varings."

• attestation: The Greeks and Franks who had fled rallied to pursue the enemy alongside the victorious Varings once the tide turned.

  "the Greeks and Franks who before had fled from the heathens saw this, they hastened to take part, and pursue the enemy with the others."