Væring

Væring is the Old Norse term historically used to denote a foreign warrior, most often referring to a member of the Varangian Guard, the elite mercenary corps of the Byzantine Empire. The guard was composed largely of Scandinavian men, with later recruitment extending to Rus’ and other regions, and served as the personal guard of Byzantine emperors as well as a deterrent and advisor in court affairs.

In Byzantine sources and later scholarly works, the term Varangian is derived from the Old Norse form of vær-ingr or a closely related variant, and the English name Varangian Guard is commonly used to describe the unit. Varangians traveled from northern Europe to Constantinople by sea and land, becoming renowned as professional heavy infantry and trusted protectors of the emperor. Over time they also participated in palace diplomacy and notable battles in the eastern Mediterranean.

The concept of a meiri foreign guard within Byzantium influenced cross-cultural exchange, trade networks, and perceptions of Norse, Slavic, and Greek communities in urban centers. By the 13th century, as Byzantine power waned, the guard’s prominence declined, though the aural and literary presence of Væring and Varangian figures persisted in medieval chronicles and later historical summaries.

Today, Væring is primarily encountered in discussions of Norse participation in Byzantium, the Varangian Guard, and the broader history of Viking-age and medieval mercenaries. See also Varangian Guard, Byzantium, Norse mercenaries.