dróttnar

Dróttnar were a class of retainers in Old Norse society, particularly prominent during the Viking Age and the preceding Germanic period. The term "drótt" referred to a lord, chieftain, or king, and his "dróttinn" was his household or retinue. Thus, a dróttinn was a member of this retinue, a warrior bound by personal loyalty and service to his lord.

These individuals were not merely hired mercenaries; their relationship with their lord was deeply personal and often hereditary. They formed the core of a lord's military power, fighting alongside him in battle and providing counsel. In return for their service, dróttnar received sustenance, protection, weaponry, and often gifts of land, silver, or precious objects from their lord. This system of reciprocal obligation was fundamental to the social and political structure of the time.

The dróttnar played a crucial role in maintaining a lord's authority and prestige. Their presence in the household, their willingness to defend him, and their participation in feasts and celebrations all contributed to the lord's standing within the community. The bond between a lord and his dróttnar was often idealized in sagas and poetry, highlighting themes of loyalty, bravery, and honor. While the specific term "dróttnar" became less common after the Viking Age, the underlying concept of a loyal warrior retinue persisted in various forms throughout medieval Scandinavian societies.