Berserkers were the most elite and mysterious warrior group in Norse history. They are surrounded by many legends about their formidable fighting abilities, savagery and strange frenzied killing states they would enter during battle. Berserkers were said to be devotees of an ancient cult that worshipped wild forest animals in the woods of Northern Europe.
What was a Berserker?
Berserkers were elite warriors belonging to shamanistic belief communities. They were believed to have extraordinary strength and power thanks to performing a series of mysterious religious rituals. Berserkers usually lived in forests, surviving in harsh conditions to worship animal cults such as bears, wolves and boars.
The name ‘Berserker’ is thought to originate from ‘berr’ meaning ‘bear’ in Norse language. This name was perhaps used to describe warriors belonging to the famous bear cult who often served as royal bodyguards. Others believe ‘Berserker’ comes from ‘bare’ (bare) and ‘serkir’ (shirt) referring to their near-naked state in battle.
Berserkergang – The Savage Assassins of Northern Europe
While Vikings were famously fierce and warlike, Berserkers were even more so. Viking armies still had codes of conduct and discipline. But Berserkers fought and treated enemies with no rules. Where they went, property was looted, people slaughtered and women raped. Their savagery, brutality and bloodlust were seen as dark stains on Norse culture by many.
Legend has it Berserkers could achieve a frenzied, intoxicated state in battle where they hacked and bit any living thing indiscriminately. This was called ‘Berserkergang’, or becoming like a wild beast – a state the warriors revered as the highest level in their animal worship cult.
When a Berserker entered Berserkergang, he could supposedly perform feats like biting through metal shields or swallowing glowing embers. They often chose to live apart from luxury to harden themselves through harsh conditions, hoping to achieve this ‘elevation’ including using secret signs, mimicking habits and drinking the blood of animals they worshipped.
Types of Berserker warriors
Within the Berserker army, there were two types of warriors:
- Ulfheonar: Wolf warriors, high ranking and renowned in Norse and Roman culture through copied shields. Known as ‘Odin’s Men’.
- Svinfylking: Boar warriors, favoured by gods Freyr and Freyja. Also renowned, famous for disguise, escape and using such tactics to their advantage in battle.
Today views differ on Berserkers’ magic aspect, but they were clearly a real warrior caste with uniquely ferocious battle trance states.
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