Page "Viking" Paragraph 44

As early as 839, when Swedish emissaries are first known to have visited Byzantium, Scandinavians served as mercenaries in the service of the Byzantine Empire.

In the late 10th century, a new unit of the imperial bodyguard was formed which traditionally contained large numbers of Scandinavians.

This was known as the Varangian Guard.

The word " Varangian " may have originated in Old Norse, but in Slavic and Greek it could refer either to Scandinavians or Franks.

The most eminent Scandinavian to serve in the Varangian Guard was Harald Hardrada, who subsequently established himself as king of Norway ( 1047 – 66 ).