The Jomsvikings: Legendary raiders of the Frozen North
Written by Gabriel Garcia
Many sagas are sung about the tales of individual Viking heroes from across the ages.
Today, however, I will focus on the rare occasion where an entire unit proved worthy of its legend, the Jomsviking. The Jomsvikings were not just a standalone unit but part of a larger Viking world, interacting with other groups and influencing the course of Viking history. Their influence on Viking warfare and culture is a significant part of their historical significance, and understanding their role in this larger context is crucial to appreciate it fully.
Jomsvikings @ Battle of Svolder.jpg - Wikimedia Commons.” 2022
The meat of their legend primarily comes from the Jomsvikings Saga, which exists in four Icelandic versions with one additional Latin translation. They are also passingly mentioned in the kings' sagas, the Heimskringla, the Fagrskinna, the Knytlinga, and the Greater Saga of Olaf Tryggvason. These records allow us to paint a somewhat cohesive story of the Jomsvikings. Suspiciously, the closer we get to records from their supposed existence, the more they recede from our view. This has all the hallmarks of a legendary tale. Thus, I am taking this presentation with a healthy dose of skepticism, and I will do my best to stitch these together cohesively and accurately.
Based on this approach, the Jomsvikings were probably founded in the late 900s AD by legendary Danish hero Palnatoke or King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark. One saga states that King Harald Bluetooth raided the land of the Wends and had a great stronghold built there at Jóm. Since then, that stronghold has been called Jómsborg. There is much dispute about the city's actual location to this day. However, discovering a new historical chronicle points to its existence at the northwesternmost corner of modern Poland near Wolin. These indicate that the settlement sprung from the multi-ethnic market town of Jumne where, among the Danes, one found many men from the "Eastern Lands." According to one Christian source from the time, Jumne, the noblest city, afforded a widely known trading center for the barbarians and Greeks who lived roundabout on equal terms with others.
Olav Tryggvasons Saga - Sigvalde Jarl - H. Egedius.jpg - Wikimedia Commons.” 2022.
Yet, the settlement was not just a commercial center. According to the Jomsvikings saga, it would now be reinforced by constructing a formidable fortress that would serve as a base for the Jomsvikings. The sagas mention how its port was defended by a gated entrance that passed under a grand stone archway. This may have been a natural formation or, more likely, was a man-made part of the circle-style castles commonly constructed by Harald Bluetooth. In this case, the Jomsburg port was large enough to hold 360 ships. But it wasn't just the fortress itself that inspired legends. The people within were its true claim to fame and considered themselves to be cut above their fellow Norsemen.
For instance, the Jomsvikings cultivated a unique brotherhood whose bonds surpassed any other pre-existing relations. This exclusivity was a defining aspect of their culture, fostering a sense of unity and loyalty among the warriors. Like the Knights Templar, they were said to have followed strict codes that enshrined their legendary status. These codes, likely rules of conduct and honor, further reinforced their identity as an elite and disciplined group. The Jomsvikings were not just a group of mercenaries but a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Their reputation as skilled and ruthless warriors contributed to their influence on Viking warfare and culture. But how did these troops come to find themselves in the ranks of the Jomsvikings in the first place?
The Jomsvikings, starting as a rag-tag force, quickly organized and established their exclusivity. They soon began launching annual campaigns across the region, winning gold and glory. Their deeds spread far and wide, and the allure of their elite community proved irresistible to men thirsting for adventure and eager to prove themselves worthy. The sagas share several examples of this process, highlighting the pull of the Jomsvikings' reputation.
The first involves the tale of two young brothers, Sigvaldi and Thorkell. Upon hearing of this new mercenary group to the east, they pleaded with their father to help them gain admission. However, he wished the promising youths could use this opportunity to prove themselves. They were, therefore, sent off, each with their ship and a retinue of 60 men to find their way. They took this challenge in stride. The boys sailed up and down the coasts, ransacking and pillaging the farms until they had accumulated enough supplies and wealth to make their grand entrance at Jomsborg.
When their ships finally arrived, their presence was announced to the leader of the company, who allowed their ships to enter the harbor. The sagas then say they were tested - a process that only half passed. While the 60 men who had failed sailed home, the remainder swore to uphold the tenets and laws of the Jomsvikings faithfully. Soon afterward, another group came to join. But there was one complication. Their leader's father had been killed in the previous year's raids by Sigvaldi and Thorkell. In any other context, a blood feud would have destroyed any chance of cooperation. However, the Jomsvikings were different. With impartiality, they extended the same test to the newcomers on the condition that they bury the hatchet of revenge. When this was agreed to, those deemed worthy were allowed to join.
Thorkild-Den-Høje(Cropped).Jpg - Wikimedia Commons.” 2020.
As the Jomsviking's reputation grew, it inevitably began attracting the most fascinating characters. Among these would be a teenage boy by the name of Vagn Akesson. At age twelve, Vagn asked his father for a pair of ships, each crewed by 60 young men between 18 and 20. These young firebrands were now set off for Jomsborg, ravaging their way across Denmark. After a long journey, they finally arrived at the fortress city with the rising sun. However, because a child led them, they were denied. In response, the 12-year-old Vagn challenged the Jomsviking leader directly. Thus, two ships sallied out to battle with them in full view of the brotherhood. The ensuing naval fight was ferocious. Though outnumbered 2-to-1, Vagn's vessel danced around the enemy, unleashing a rain of javelin and arrow fire on their pursuers. Forced to retreat, the Jomsvikings now landed in an attempt to regroup. But Vagn was right on their heels, leading his warband ashore in a charge that pummelled them into the frozen mud.
Unable to resist, they called for an end to the "test.'' As the dust settled, thirty of the Jomsvikings were found dead, while only three of Vagn's men were killed. This display was good enough a test for all of them to be admitted to the Jomsvikings on the spot, with Vagn becoming the greatest of their warriors. This sense of comradery was paramount and would be reinforced by the equitable distribution of wealth, the limitations placed on contact with the outside world, and banning women from the base.
As for their service history, tradition holds that the first man to lead the Jomsvikings was the Danish hero Palnatoke, who established their code and launched their first raids, which began to develop their reputation. However, the Jomsvikings would start their ascent with the arrival of Styrbjorn the Strong, a Swedish prince in exile. He infused their ranks with recruits and fresh ambition and kickstarted their legendary journey through the annual raiding of the Baltic coastline.
Such success quickly snowballed, with the Jomsvikings accumulating more treasures and followers, allowing them to take on larger prey: the many jarls, earls, and kings of the Frozen North. Ultimately, Styrbjorn seems to have intentionally built up his strength to make a play for Sweden, where his uncle sat on the throne. Thus, he began to pressure the neighboring Danes to help with his war aims. One source gives the absurd numbers of 1,000 ships bearing down upon the lands of Harald Bluetooth. While these claims should not be taken at face value, they do seem to indicate that the Jomsvikings were at least in a position to marshall coalition forces of substantial size.
After making initial progress, King Eric finally rose to meet them at the Battle of Fýrisvellir. The fighting was said to have continued for two days, with the forces of Styrbjorn slowly grinding their way through his uncle's army, which was fed by a stream of reinforcements. The second night saw both sides seek the favor of the gods. One saga states that when Styrbjörn sacrificed to Thor, he was met with ill omens, but that when Eric sacrificed to Odin, a stranger appeared from the forest bearing a reed which he was to shoot over the battlefield. When Eric did so the next day, it transformed into a javelin, blinded the Jomsvikings, and unleashed an avalanche that buried them and killed Styrbjorn.
In the aftermath, the Jomsvikings were left to lick their wounds and adopt a new leader. This next Jarl was Sigvaldi Strut–Haraldsson. While not as heroic as his predecessor, Sigvaldi was more prudent and scheming. Under his reign, the Jomsvikings increasingly extended their influence across the North. For instance, in 986, Sigvaldi would lead them on a campaign against the chiefs of Norway, who had only recently broken free from Danish rule. They began to lay waste in the countryside, causing devastation wherever they went.
Efter Slaget Vid Fyrisvall.jpg - Wikimedia Commons.” 2022
A survivor from one of these attacks managed to escape to the local Jarl, Haakon the Strong, who immediately began rallying his force of 360 ships. When the Jomsvikings heard of the rallying point, they prepared for battle and set out to meet Haakon at "Hjörungavágr." Despite being outnumbered two or three to one, the Jomsvikings initially had the upper hand. Seeing this, the Norwegian leader turned to the gods, offering many sacrifices, including his daughter, to gain their favor. Sated, they sent a furious hailstorm onto the battlefield, which only affected the side of the Jomsvikings, turning the tide of battle.
The Jomsvikings would never recover in numbers from this costly defeat and return to mercenary work over the following decades. Though the Jomsvikings were reportedly staunch devotees of the Norse gods, they found themselves employed by Christian forces that came calling. Around 1000 AD, roughly 70 Jomsviking ships accompanied Olaf Tryggvason, the Christian King of Norway, in his campaigns in Wendland. When the fighting began, the Jomsvikings turned upon Olaf's men during this expedition. It was a crushing defeat for the Christians, which helped swing the pendulum of Scandinavian power back in favor of the pagan factions. During these years, Thorkell the Tall, the younger brother of Sigvaldi, would gain prominence among the Jomsvikings.
Svend Tveskæg Og Palnatoke - Louis Moe (17014) - Wikimedia Commons.” 2022.
By some accounts, he launched raids as far away as England and caused such grief that King Aethelred was forced to pay them a substantial bribe to cease their assaults. Soon, more money was plied to have them join forces with the English to repel the invasion of Svein Forkbeard. After gaining victory by their hand, however, the English King turned upon the mercenaries in a sudden slaughter. The survivors would not forget this betrayal, and in 1015, they returned to serving the invading King Cnut the Great, winning many victories. However, their success would be their ultimate undoing.
Other kings saw the Jomsvikings as a dangerous threat that their rivals might at any time employ to overthrow them. Thus, when King Magnus of Norway mobilized forces against Denmark and began to consolidate power, he planned to neutralize the Jomsvikings once and for all. In 1043, the King led a great force to crush the mercenaries decisively, burning their fortress. Unfortunately, the details of this final action have been lost to the ages, but many of their former members would continue to shape the fate of the North by continuing their battlefield heroics. For generations more, the legend of the Jomsvikings would live on.