Berserker facts for kids

Berserkers (or berserks) were a special kind of Norse warrior who were widely feared. Old Norse literature said they fought in a wild, trance-like fury. This later gave us the English word berserk.

Many Old Norse sources say that berserkers were real. Most historians believe that berserkers worked themselves into a rage before battle. Others think they might have eaten drugged foods. The Ynglinga saga said they charged their enemy without any armour. Also that they were as mad as wolves. They could kill the enemy with a single blow of their sword while neither fire nor iron could hurt them.

Images for kids

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  One of the Vendel era Torslunda plates found on Öland, Sweden. It probably depicts a weapon dancer followed by a Berserker.

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  A modern reenactor in Germany

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  The runestone Vg 56 at Källby in Västergötland, which may show a beserker in animal skin

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  Wolf warrior from Migration Age Germany that was part of the same tradition

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  Illustration of the Golden Horns of Gallehus with two masked warriors in the centre

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  A fresco in the 11th c. Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv that appears to depict a beserker ritual performed by Varangians (Scandinavians)

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  A rook piece from the Lewis chessmen, depicted as a warrior biting his shield

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  Sorcerers by Nicholas K. Roerich which depicts ulfheðnar performing a ritual

See also

In Spanish: Berserker para niños