NVG Handbook 2012

Transcription

NVG Handbook 2012

The New Varangian Guard - Handbook
The New Varangian Guard
Handbook
2012 version
Copyright NVG Inc. 2012
1
Welcome to the New Varangian Guard,
we hope you will enjoy being a member.
This Handbook has been put together to help you get going in Living History with the NVG,
So… let’s get you you started.
First thing you need to do is to check what is the Cultural focus of the Branch of the NVG you are
joining, as each Branch is different.
Don’t rush into making stuff or buying stuff without first talking it over with the more experienced
members of the branch you are joining.
Try to keep your outfit focused on your chosen culture and period.
Research Sources
Sources are very important to help you create accurate medieval gear from your chosen
time and area. When you are recreating clothing and accessories from a time and place in
history try to gather as much primary source evidence as you can. Back up your primary
sources with any additional secondary source information.
Primary Sources include:
• Actual items excavated (extant items) such as jewellery, weapons and fabric pieces
• Illustrations or artwork from the time including manuscript illuminations,
• mosaics and frescoes, drawings, paintings and statues.
Secondary Sources include:
• Reports from people examining primary sources (useful for extrapolating clothing patterns,
etc from finds)
Try to avoid tertiary sources as they are unreliable sources of information.
Tertiary Sources
• include websites with no primary source info and photos, “artistic” pictures.
2
Authenticity Standards
At Public Events:
It is expected that for all public events* we are aiming to make our Historical display recreation as
realistic as possible without compromising safety, the law, or personal enjoyment, and that all
modern clothing or equipment is not to be visible to the general public.
Handy Hints :
•
•
have a basket & covering cloth, cloth bag or wooden bucket or period chest to put any
modern items in, or a blanket / cloth to cover and hide items
decant any drinks into a period container
•
and remember to get rid of the modern container from public sight straight away
– the display area is to be kept clean and tidy at all times
•
no alcholic drinking is allowed during the event's public display hours
and must be kept to moderation out of the event's public display hours.
If it’s a two-day event – you must be able to do your battle display performances.
•
If you are a smoker – step outside of the Historical display area when you need to have a
smoke and dispose of butts carefully.
Or get nicotine patches for the duration of the event
3
Authenticity Standards
At Private camps & Feasts:
Think of this as an opportunity to practice and refine hiding modern items from view, so that when
you do public events it has become a good habit.
Handy Hints :
• get in and set up your camp and stow away / hide any modern items as quickly as you can
– as this helps the event hold its period feel
•
the same for packing up if you have to leave early before the event’s finishing time.
•
at feasts decant any drinks into a period container and make sure you don’t leave empties
in sight on the table top – a basket under the table with a covering cloth is a good hiding
spot.
•
Develop the good habit of hiding modern items at all times.
At Training & Craft days:
Here we can be a bit more casual and flexible
•
ask your Branch leader what is the branch policy for this.
Oh No! the Authenticiy Committee
wants a word with you.
At times you may have people suggest improvements on your authenticity – try not to take this to
heart but see it as suggestions as to help you improve your living history skills. The person is just
trying to help you in some areas you need to look at.
No one in this movement started off being perfect – it is something that we all had to learn and it is
achieved by gentle guidance at times from the more experienced members of the NVG branches.
The group’s good reputation can be damaged by an I don’t care mind-set. So we ask you to
please respect our Authenticity policies.
4
Legalities you need to know
Each State & Territory in Australia has its own weapons laws.
Please check with your branch leader as to what your State & Territory laws are.
The ALHF has a link page which has links to the different States & Territories requirements.
http://www.alhf.org.au/links.html
In Victoria
Victoria has one one of the toughest weapon laws, please carefully read
• Re-Enactors Guide
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/retrievemedia.asp?media_id=36984&status=active
(Legislative requirements for persons taking part in historical re-enactments in Victoria) by Victoria
Police
The New Varangian Guard Inc. has been issued by the Victorian Department of Justice the
following The Governor in Council - Prohibited Weapons Exemptions under the Control of
Weapons Act 1990
•
Exemption under Section 8b to Possess Swords ― Historical Re-enactement and
Collectors’ Organisations
•
Exemption under Section 8b to Possess Daggers
•
Exemption under Section 8b to Possess Throwing Blades, Maces and Flails ― Historical
Re-enacement Organisations
Please note:
That there are very strict conditions of use and storage that have to be met to be
accordance with these Prohibited weapons exemptions
Australasian Living History Federation (ALHF)
The Australasian Living History Federation (ALHF) was established in 2002 to source and manage
appropriate and affordable Public Liability insurance for Historical Reenactment societies and
Living History groups across Australia
Aside from organising public liability insurance, ALHF also acts to represent members’ interests in
areas such as legislation that affects reenactment activities.
The ALHF offers members, event organisers and the public, advice and guidance on such things
as performance and display safety and the presentation of historical accuracy in our activities
The NVG is a member group of the ALHF and therefore has agreed to uphold the ALHF
standards on Historical Authenticity and Safety guidelines
http://www.alhf.org.au/
5
Basic Kit you will need
Basic kit requirements for warrior training
• Gloves covered with leather
• Padded gambeson
• Helmet & arming cap
• Groin protection (for both men and women) & Breast protection (for women)
• Shield (may be needed)
Basic clothing kit requirements
• Historical period tunic / shirt and undertunic / shirt made out of wool or linen
• Leg wraps, hose or naalbinded socks made of wool
• Historical period trousers (for men, warriors and some women's portrayals)
• Hood made out of wool for winter and linen for summer
• Hat in a period style
• Leather shoes or boots in period style
• Cloak in wool in a period style
• Viking apron dress (for women)
Clothing should be made from historically correct materials in historically correct patterns
and should be either hand-sewn or machine-sewn with all visible areas hand-finished.
note: overlocking stitching is not allowed nor are man-made fibres allowed to be used.
Please check with your branch leader as to your branch's standard and culture focus and
what clothing and shoe patterns should be used.
Colours should be that which can be achieved by natural
dyeing
Basic feasting Kit requirements
• Wooden bowl
• Wooden bread board
• Spoon (metal, wooden or horn) & Knife
• Drinking horn, pottery beaker or glass
Other Useful Items
• Covering cloths
• Baskets
• Wooden Bucket
• Historical Period Chest
• Pottery Jug
But… please don't buy kit items before talking it over with your more experienced club
members – they can guide you on what is best and save you $$$$ on costly mistakes.
6
Useful websites
Over the years some of our NVG Club members have published to the web
some wonderful articles on Living history topics that could be of great help to
you
The NVG Inc. website
http://www.nvg.org.au/
• Combat Rules & Safety Standards - Rules and Standards applying to all members of NVG
Inc http://nvg.org.au/staticpages/index.php?page=combat
• Training Manual - Covers such fields such as archery, basic and advanced training and
wrestling http://nvg.org.au/staticpages/index.php?page=train
The Varangian Voice – The NVG offical magazine
71 volumes were printed bewteen 1984 – 2007
Online index of contents of every Varangian Voice magazine, from Issue 1 to
the latest, Issue 71 is at http://www.nvg.org.au/documents/vv/vv_contents.pdf
and the volumes can accessed on line at the links section of the NVG website
http://nvg.org.au/links/index.php?category=Varangian%20Voice
Clothing Articles on NVG Inc or on Branch websites
• What Was Worn Under The Tunic in the 11th Century?
http://nvg.org.au/article.php?story=20070821043854652
• How to tell what the fiber is: Burn test and Bleach test
http://nvg.org.au/article.php?story=20080218121955762
Handakas Branch webpage
• Introduction to Textiles. By Kelly Birch.
http://handakas.nvg.org.au/docs/textiles_intro.pdf
• Basic T-Tunic making workshop notes By Kelly Birch
http://handakas.nvg.org.au/docs/tunic_workshop.pdf
• Medieval footwear: A contemporary approach to medieval turned shoes by Patti Bee.
http://handakas.nvg.org.au/documents/medieval-footwear/
• Round Shield Construction by Handakas Branch
http://handakas.nvg.org.au/docs/laymanshield.pdf Note: that the aluminium strips used on
the rim in this article are no longer used by most of the branches but instead they used
strips of leather.
7
Useful websites
Miklagard Branch webpage
http://www.miklagard.nvg.org.au
http://miklagard.nvg.org.au/main.htm#Costumes
•
•
•
Byzantine Male Costume, Byzantine Female Costume & Byzantine Soldier Costume
Rus Male Costume, Rus Female Costume & Rus Soldier Costume
Wickelbander (Legwraps) http://miklagard.nvg.org.au/articles/legwraps1.htm
The Medieval Steppe Warrior by Steven Baker of the NVG Mountains branch
http://antiferus.net/index.html
•
Steppe Nomad Clothing
Christobel & Peter’s Homepage
by Peter Beatson & Christobel Ferguson of the NVG Miklagard branch
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/index.html
•
A Gambeson Pattern for Byzantine Re-enactment
•
Never-Fails Simple Shoe Pattern
•
Rus and Byzantine clothing &Historical information research
Looking for the Evidence - Historical Research of Extant Finds and other
Historical items for Living Historians & Re-enactors
by Jenny Baker ( Indunna) of the NVG Hodegon branch
https://sites.google.com/site/archoevidence/
• Armour Summary - Lamellar Armour , Mail Armour, Scale Armour , Helmets, Wooden
Shields
• Viking Food
• Hats & Hoods
• Frankish Clothing & Saxon Clothing
• Shoes part 1 & 2
• Viking Clothing Guides - Danish Viking, Norweign Viking, Swedish Viking, Rus Viking,
Finnish Viking, Stitches and Seam Techniques - How to do hand sewing
Sven Skildbiter Index page by Stephen Wylie ( Sven ) of NVG Vlachernai
branch
http://www.angelfire.com/wy/svenskildbiter/index.html
lots of articles and links to information sites
He also a has a merchant site Sven The Merchant
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/sventhemerchant/
making period Chests and other equipment for Historical re-enactors
8
Useful websites
Egfroth's Articles by Steven Lowe ( Egfroth)
Egfroth has belonged to numerous branches of the NVG and is known as
the Garrison starter.
He has now go on to starting a new Anglo saxon group in Ballarat Victoria.
http://www.geocities.ws/egfrothos/articlelist.html
Note: Egfroth site on geocities saddly has started to have different parts of
it disappear
some of this site is on reocities archive site now
http://www.reocities.com/egfrothos/
Egfroths other website
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/egfroth/
Levantia by Timothy Dawson
http://www.levantia.com.au/
Tim has done numerous web articles on Byzantine and near eastern culture and costumes
He was a founding member of the NVG – Vlachernai branch
He also accomplished author and Byzantine Living Historian – see his publications in useful books
section of this handbook
A Prôtospatharios, Magistros, and Strategos Autokrator of 11th cent. :
the equipment of Georgios Maniakes and his army according to the Skylitzes Matritensis
miniatures and other artistic sources of the middle Byzantine period
by Raffaele D’Amato ( PDF 75 pages )
http://www.porphyra.it/Supplemento4.pdf
The Viking Answer Lady Webpage
http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/
Hurstwic, a Viking Age Living History Society
http://www.hurstwic.org/
Useful Books
William R. Short
www.williamrshort.com
Dr. William R. Short is an author and independent scholar specializing in Viking- age topics,
notably medieval Icelandic literature, Viking-age material culture, Viking-age weapons, and
Viking-age combat techniques.
9
Useful Books
Varangian Guard 988-1453
Product Description - Men at Arms 459
Author: Raffaele D’Amato
Illustrator: Giuseppe Rava
The Varangian Guards were Viking mercenaries who operated far
beyond their native shores as an elite force within the Byzantine
Armies. Descendants from a legendary line of warriors, the
Varangian Guard was formed after a group of Viking mercenaries
made a major contribution to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II’s victory
over rebel forces in 988 AD. These 5,000 men were then retained as
Basil’s personal guard and would provide loyal service to many
successive occupants of the imperial throne. Commonly referred to
as ‘foreigners’ (Etaireia), they were nonetheless absorbed into a new
Palatine regiment under command of an officer termed the
Akolouthos, who was either a Norsemen or a Rus (Norsemen colonisers of Russia). The
Varangians wore mixtures of their native clothing and armour together with a splendid formal
Byzantine uniform. But most famously, they always wielded their own traditional battle-axes and in
fact this became a sign that the emperor was on the battlefield in person. This is an insightful look
of one of the legendary guard units of the medieval world.
Contents
• Introduction
• History of the Regiment
• Organization , Terms of service and everyday life
• Clothing , Arms and Equipment
Paperback; June 2010; 48 pages; ISBN: 9781849081795
Byzantine Infantryman - Eastern Roman Empire c.900-1204
Product Description - Warrior 118
Author: Timothy Dawson
Illustrator: Angus McBride
The Byzantine Army was the closest the middle ages came to
producing a military superpower. Built on a strong belief system
emphasising stealth, surprise, swift manoeuvre and overwhelming
force, the Byzantine infantryman was trained in survival, sword,
spear and archery techniques and also land and sea combat and
fighting within the foulkon 'turtle' formation. Timothy Dawson, an
expert in the training and techniques of the Byzantine Army, details
the everyday experience of the infantryman from his recruitment,
through his twice-a-day training regime to his encounters with his
enemies. Full-colour artwork richly illustrates their incredible warrior
society and gives a real insight into how they lived.
Contents
· Introduction · Chronology
· Recruitment
· Appearance , Equipment - Training
· Conditions of service , Belief and Belonging
· On Campaign - Experience of Battle
· Museums and Re-enactment
· Glossary · Bibliography - Colour plate commentary - Index
Paperback; June 2007; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781846031052
10
Useful Books
Levantia Historical Guides
By Timothy Dawson
http://www.levantia.com.au/
These booklets consist of 24 A5 pages with colour and black and white pictures and detailed
diagrams explaining how to construct the items discussed to a high level of authenticity
11
Leather Armoured Glove pattern
Stitch leather sections ( pattern below ) over Riggers gloves
12
13
14
Chronology of Byzantine Empire during the time of the Varangian Guard
(700 -1453 A.D.)
8th century
741 - 743
Artabasdus - Isaurian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
750
Scandinavian colonists settled Aldeigja (Ladoga);
775 - 780
Leo IV (the Khazar) - Isaurian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
780 - 797
Constantine VI (the blinded) - Isaurian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
797 - 802
Irene - Isaurian Dynasty becomes first Empress of Byzantium
9th century
800
Charlemagne, king of the Franks, is crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by Pope Leo
III in Rome. For the first time in 300 years, there is an emperor of the "East" and an
emperor of the "West".
802 - 811
Nicephorus I - Phocid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
811
Stauracius - Phocid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
811 – 813
Michael I Rhangabé - Phocid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
813 – 820
Leo V (the Armenian) becomes Emperor of Byzantium
820 - 829
Michael II the Amorian - Phrygian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
829 - 842
Theophilus I - Phrygian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
842 – 855
Theodora - Phrygian Dynasty (regent for Michael III) becomes Empress of
Byzantium
830's
Paphlagonian expedition of the Rus' (830s) - The Paphlagonian expedition of the
Rus' was an attack by the Rus' on the city of Propontis. It marked the first known
contact between the Rus' and the Byzantine Empire
839
Emperor Theophilus negotiated with the Rus’ to provide a mercenaries for his army;
842 - 867
Michael III (the drunkard) - Phrygian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
842
Rus’ raids that had extended into Paphlagonia;
843
The use of Icons is restored.
859
Exacted tribute from the Slavic and Finnic tribes, England began to pay Danegeld in
859, and the Curonians of Grobin faced an invasion by the Swedes;
860
Rus'–Byzantine War (860) - The Rus’ under Askold and Dir launched their first
attack on Constantinople and pillaged the suburbs of the city. The Rus’ maintained
these efforts as they regularly sailed the Dnieper into the Black Sea
862
Finnic and Slavic tribes rebelled against the Varangian Rus, driving them overseas
back to Scandinavia. The tribes invited back the Varangian Rus "to come and rule
them" and bring peace to the region - Led by Rurik and his brothers Truvor and
Sineus, Varangians established themselves in Novgorod, Beloozero and Izborsk,
respectively. After two years, two of Rurik's brothers died leaving Rurik the sole ruler
15
(700 -1453 A.D.)
9th century cont.
862 onward The Rus' operated the Volga trade route, which connected Northern Russia
(Gardariki) with the Middle East (Serkland). As the Volga route declined by the end
of the century, the trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks rapidly overtook it
in popularity
867 – 886
Basil I (the Macedonian) - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
870
Varangian Rus Frequent raids into the Caspian Sea;
880
Varangian Rus’ organized the existing Slavic settlements into the political entity of
Kievan Rus';
886 - 912
Leo VI (the Wise) - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
10th century
900 onward The Varangian ruling classes of the two powerful city-states of Novgorod and Kiev
became thoroughly Slavicised. Old Norse was still spoken in Novgorod, however;
902
Varangians served along with Dalmatians as marines in Byzantine naval expeditions
against the Emirate of Crete; - A squadron of 700 Varangian Rus' mercenaries
participated in the Crete expedition of 902
907
Rus'–Byzantine War (907) - Successful naval expedition against Constantinople.
By Oleg of Novgorod of the Kievan Rus' against the
Byzantine Empire. According to Greek historians,
the Rus' were said to have crucified their victims
and to have driven nails into their heads during
these raids; The threat to Constantinople was
relieved by peace negotiations which bore fruit in
the Russo-Byzantine Treaty of 907. Pursuant to the
treaty, the Byzantines paid a tribute of twelve
grivnas for each Rus' boat. - the treaty regulates the
status of the colony of Varangian merchants in
Constantinople. The text testifies that they settled in
the quarter of Saint Mamas. The Varangians were
to enter Constantinople through a certain gate,
without weapons, accompanied by the imperial guard, not more than fifty people at a
time. Upon their arrival, they were enregistered by the imperial authorities in order to
be supplied with food and monthly alimentation in the space of half a year. In the
concluding lines of the treaty, the Byzantines kiss the cross, while the Varangians
swear by their arms, invoking Perun and Veles (the names are likely translations of
the names of Norse gods )
910
911
Varangian Rus are Mercenaries for the Byzantine Empire; The Rus'–Byzantine
Treaty of 911 The text of the document, incorporated into the Primary Chronicle, has
many affinities in content and phrasing with the trade treaties later concluded by
Byzantium with the merchant republics of Italy. It was composed in two languages
and signed personally by Emperor Leo VI. The text also includes speeches of the
parties on the occasion. No treaties of comparable complexity and antiquity are
known among the other societies in Europe of that time. The treaty opens with a
16
(700 -1453 A.D.)
10th century cont.
lengthy enumeration of the Rus' envoys, whose names are exclusively Norse: Karl,
Ingjald, Farulf, Vermund, Hrollaf, Gunnar, Harold, Kami, Frithleif, Hroarr, Angantyr,
Throand, Leithulf, Fast, and Steinvith. The articles 3 to 7 regulate criminal law and
the life of their colony at Constantinople. There is also a proviso on inheritance of a
merchant who died in the imperial capital. The article 8 is dedicated to maritime law.
The following articles enlarge on ransom of captives, exchange of criminals, and the
status of the Varangian mercenaries in Byzantine service
912 - 913
Alexander III - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
912
913 - 959
Constantine VII Porphyrogenetus (purple-born) - Macedonian Dynasty becomes
Emperor of Byzantium
917
Bulgars under Symeon overrun Thrace.
920 - 944
Romanus I Lecapenus - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
924
Bulgars unsuccessfully attack Constantinople unsuccessfully.
936
Varangians involved in the Byzantine Empire Italian expedition; A unit of 415
Varangians was involved
941
Rus'–Byzantine War of 94, Prince Igor of Kiev, The Rus' and their allies, the
Pechenegs attacks Bithynia and later attacks Constantinople: The Byzantines
destroys the Russian fleet.
943
944 / 945
Prince Igor of Kiev mount a new naval campaign against Constantinople.
The Chersonese Greeks alerted the emperor about the approaching Kievan fleet.
This time, the Byzantines hastened to buy peace and concluded a treaty with Kievan
Rus' . The Rus'–Byzantine Treaty between the Byzantine emperor Constantine VII
and Igor I of Kiev was concluded either in 944 or 945 as a result of a naval
expedition undertaken by Kievan Rus against Constantinople in the early 940s. Its
provisions were less advantageous for the Rus than those of the previous treaty,
associated with the name of Igor's predecessor Oleg. The text of the treaty,
contains a list of the Rus' plenipotentiaries (no fewer than fifty are named). The
overwhelming majority have Norse names. One part of the Rus' envoys swear to
their pagan gods, while another part invoke the name of the Christian God,
indicating that a substantial portion of the Rus' elite was Christianized. Apart from
Igor's wife Olga, two other archontesses are mentioned: Predslava, Volodislav's wife
and Sphandra, Uleb's wife. It is not clear whether these two pairs of names (Slavic
and Norse respectively) refer to some Rurikid relatives of Igor or represent a
separate ruling family. The treaty of 944/945 repeated several clauses from the
previous settlements. The Rus' promised not to attack Chersonesos, a Byzantine
exclave in the Crimea (Article 8). The mouth of the Dnieper River (Beloberezhye)
was to be administrated jointly, although the Rus' were forbidden to winter there and
to oppress fishers from Chersonesos (Article 12). Article 2 contains novel provisions
on maritime law. In order to distinguish peaceful merchants from raiders, each ship
of the Rus' was to bear a charter of the Kievan prince, explaining how many people
and how many ships would sail to Constantinople. Otherwise, the Rus' ships might
be apprehended by the imperial authorities
17
(700 -1453 A.D.)
10th century cont.
949
Varangians returned to Crete under Constantine Porphyrogenitus; 629 Rus' troops
sailed on nine vessels to accompany the Greeks in their expedition against Crete
955
Varangian contingents among the forces that fought the Arabs in Syria;
959 - 963
Romanus II - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
963 - 969
Nicephorus II Phocas - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
968
Sviatoslav I's large-scale invasion of the Balkans; - The Byzantines instigated the
Rus' ruler Sviatoslav to attack Bulgaria, leading to the
collapse of the Bulgarian state and the occupation of much
of the country by the Rus'. The ensuing direct military
confrontation between the Rus' and Byzantium ended
with a Byzantine victory. The Rus' withdrew and eastern
Bulgaria was incorporated into the Byzantine Empire
969 - 976
John I Tzimisces - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
970
Rus'–Byzantine War (970–971) as a result of the Rus invasion of the Balkans
976 - 1025
Basil II Bulgaroctonus (Bulgar-Slayer) - Macedonian Dynasty (actually named coemperor in 960 but empire was ruled by regent until 976) becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
988
Basil II requested military assistance from Vladimir I of Kiev, and employed 6000
Varangian as his personal bodyguards. In
exchange, Vladimir was given Basil's sister, Anna,
in marriage. Vladimir also agreed to convert to
Christianity and to bring his people into the
Christian faith.This new force became known as
the Varangian Guard. They are housed in three
locations with Constantinople – Blachernae
Palace, Hodegon monastery and the Imerpial
Palace
18
(700 -1453 A.D.)
11th century
989
Varangians Landed at Chrysopolis to defeat the rebel general Bardas Phokas. The
brutality of the Varangians was noted when they pursued the fleeing army and
"cheerfully hacked them to pieces.
992
Venetians granted extensive trading rights in the Byzantine Empire
995
Basil II reconquers Syria from the Muslims.
996
Basil II reconquers Greece from Bulgars.
1014
Basil II destroys the Bulgar army, earning the epithet Bulgaroktonos ("Bulgar
Slayer").
1018
Basil II received a request from his catepan of Italy, Basil Boioannes, for
reinforcements to put down the Lombard revolt. The Varangian Guard were sent in
to the Battle of Cannae and saw extensive service in southern Italy;
1025 - 1028
Constantine VIII - Macedonian Dynasty (actually named co-emperor in 960 but
empire was ruled by regent until 976) becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1028 - 1034
Romanus III Argyropolus - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1028 – 1050 Zoe I - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Empress of Byzantium
1034 - 1041
Michael IV (the Paphlagonian) - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
1038
The Varangians participated in the partial reconquest of Sicily from the Arabs under
George Maniakes. A prominent member of the Guard at this time was Harald
Hardrada, later King of Norway;
1041 - 1042
Michael V Calaphates - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1041
Varangians defeated in several battles by the Normans;
1042
Theodora - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Empress of Byzantium
1042 - 1055
Constantine IX Monomachus - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
The Great Schism: The Latin Roman Church and the Greek Orthodox Church
excommunicate each other.
1054
1055 – 1056 Theodora - Macedonian Dynasty becomes Empress of Byzantium
1055
Loss of southern Italy to the Normans.
1056 – 1057 Michael VI Stratioticus (the bellicose) becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1057 – 1059 Isaac I Comnenus - Comnenid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1059 - 1067
Constantine X Ducas - Ducas Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1067 – 1078 Michael VII Parapinakes - Ducas Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1067
The last Byzantine catepan in southern Italy, Mabrica, arrived with Varangian
auxiliaries and took Brindisi and Taranto;
1068 - 1071
Romanus IV Diogenes - Ducas Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
19
(700 -1453 A.D.)
11th century cont.
1071
Defeat at Manzikert to the Seljuk Turks. Permanent loss of most of Asia Minor. The
disastrous Battle of Manzikert - virtually all the Emperor’s Guards fell around him.
1075
Loss of Syria to Muslims.
1078 – 1081 Nicephorus III Botaniates - Nicephorus Bryennius - Nicephorus Basilacius Nicephorus Melissenus becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1081 - 1118
Alexius I Comnenus - Comnenid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1087
Byzantines defeated in Thrace.
1088
Large number of Anglo-Saxons and Danes emigrated to the Byzantine Empire.
Many joined the Varangian guard, the Guard was commonly called the
Englinbarrangoi (Anglo-Varangians). Fought in Sicily against the Normans under
Robert Guiscard. Commonly referred to as "axe-bearing barbarians" due to their
extensive use of the "rhomphaia", known as the daneaxe;
1095:
Alexius appeals to Urban II at Council of Piacenza for help against the Turks. The
First Crusade is proclaimed at Council of Clermont.
1096:
Crusaders arrive at Constantinople. The Crusaders are successful, but eventually
withdraw from cooperation with the Byzantines.
12th century
1118 - 1143 John II Comnenus (the beautiful) - Comnenid Dynasty becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
1121
Reconquest of southwestern Asia Minor.
1122
Vital to the Byzantine victory under the emperor John II Komnenos at the Battle of
Beroia. The Varangians hacked their way through the enemy's circle of Pecheneg
wagons, collapsing the Pecheneg position and causing a general rout in their camp;
1143 – 1180
Manuel I Comnenus (the Great) - Comnenid Dynasty becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
1179:
Byzantine Army defeated by the Sultanate of Rum at Myriokephalon. Hopes of
regaining Asia Minor are lost.
1180 – 1183
Alexius II Comnenus - Comnenid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1183 – 1185
Andronicus I Comnenus - Comnenid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1184 - 1195
Isaac Comnenus - Comnenid Dynasty (Emperor of Cyprus) becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
1185 - 1195, Isaac II Angelus - Comnenid & Angelid Dynasties becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1195 - 1204
Alexius III Angelus - Comnenid & Angelid Dynasties (Deposed in the 4th crusade in
1203 and replaced by Isaac II and Alexius IV but maintained limited 'provincial'
control outside of Constantinople.) becomes Emperor of Byzantium
20
(700 -1453 A.D.)
13th century
1202
Prominent in the defence of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. Of the role
of the guard, then composed of the English and Danes, it is said that "the fighting
was very violent and there was hand to hand fight with axes and swords”
1203 – 1204 Isaac II Angelus - Comnenid & Angelid Dynasties becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1203 – 1204 Alexius IV Angelus - Comnenid & Angelid Dynasties becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
1202
Fourth Crusade is assembled at Venice.
1204
Alexius V Ducas Murtzuphlus (bushy-eyebrowed) - Angelid Dynasties becomes
Emperor of Byzantium
1204
Fourth Crusade captures Constantinople. The Latin Empire of Constantinople is
formed as well as many Byzantine successor states. The capture of Constantinople
in 1204 was a blow from which the Byzantines never fully recovered.
1205 – 1222 Theodore I Lascaris - Lascarid Dynasty (exiled in Nicaea after the 4th Crusade)
becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1222 – 1254 John III Ducas Vatatzes - Lascarid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1254 – 1258 Theodore II Lascaris - Lascarid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1258 – 1261 John IV Lascaris - Lascarid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1259 – 1282 Michael VIII Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty (restored to Constantinople)
becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1261
The successor state of Nicaea recaptures Constantinople and restores the
Byzantine Empire.
1282 – 1328 Andronicus II Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
14th century
1328 – 1341 Andronicus III Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1341 - 1376
John V Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1347 – 1354 John VI Cantacuzenus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1350 onward The Varangian guard was still operating at least as late as the mid-fourteenth
century, and people identified as Varangians were to be found in Constantinople
around 1400
1376 – 1379 Andronicus IV Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1379 - 1390
1390,
John VII Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1391
1391 – 1425 Manuel II Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1399 – 1402 John VII Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
21
(700 -1453 A.D.)
15th century
1425 – 1448 John VIII Palaeologus - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of Byzantium
1448 – 1453 Constantine XI Palaeologus Dragatses - Palaeologid Dynasty becomes Emperor of
Byzantium
1453
Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans. End of the Byzantine Empire.
Composed primarily of Norsemen for the first 100 years, from Rus, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and
Iceland the guard began to see increased inclusion of Anglo-Saxons after the successful invasion
of England by the Normans. By the time of the Emperor Alexios Komnenos in the late 11th century,
the Byzantine Varangian Guard was largely recruited from Anglo-Saxons fleeing England.
By the late 13th century Varangians were mostly ethnically assimilated by Byzantines, though the
guard operated until at least mid-14th century and in 1400 there were still some people identifying
themselves as "Varangians" in Constantinople.
22

NVG Handbook 2012

Transcription

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