Harald Hardrada, Basil II, and the Varangian Guard | Animated Byzantine History

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Vikings ended up pretty much everywhere. They were even the personal bodyguards of the Byzantine Emperor for a while. The history of this group also covers some interesting figures like Harald Hardrada and Basil II, my celebrity crush.
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Sources:
Alvarez, Sandra. “English Refugees in the Byzantine Armed Forces: The Varangian Guard and Anglo-Saxon Ethnic Consciousness.” De Re Militari, 23 June 2014, deremilitari.org/2014/06/english-refugees-in-the-byzantine-armed-forces-the-varangian-guard-and-anglo-saxon-ethnic-consciousness/.
Blöndal Sigfus, and Benedikt S. Benedikz. The Varangians of Byzantium. Verlag Nicht Ermittelbar, 1978.
Coles, Damien. The Varangian Guard: Elite Foreign Defenders of the Byzantine Emperors.
D'Amato, Raffaele, and Giuseppe Rava. The Varangian Guard, 988-1453. Osprey, 2010.
Dawkins, R. M. “The Later History of the Varangian Guard: Some Notes.” The Journal of Roman Studies, vol. 37, 1947, pp. 39-46. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/298453. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.
Herrin, Judith. Byzantium: the Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire. Princeton University Press, 2009.
Manley, Brendan. “Last of the Vikings.” Military History, vol. 25, no. 4, 2008, pp. 38-41.
Sturlasson, Snorre. Heimskringla, or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Translated by Samuel Laing, Project Gutenberg, 1996.
"Varangian Guard." Encyclopedia of Warrior Peoples & Fighting Groups, edited by Paul K. Davis, and Allen Lee Hamilton, Grey House Publishing, 3rd edition, 2016. Credo Reference, grinnell.idm.o.... Accessed 2 Nov. 2020.
Music:
Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon....
Source: incompetech.com....
Artist: incompetech.com/
Hidden Agenda by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com....
Artist: incompetech.com/
All the other music and sound effects in this video are copyright free, so no one can sue me.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this video. Special Black Friday deal! Every purchase of a 2-year plan will get you 4 additional months free. Go to nordvpn.com/historyhouse and use my coupon "historyhouse" at checkout. Also, whoever spots the typo first will get a hug from the Keebler elf.

[@HDTomo]

The most useless thing unless you want to access stuff from other countries

[@SteelFlesher]

Finally

[@HDTomo]

@shannon heraty it was probaly kept unlisted

[@a.h.tvideomapping4293]

@shannon heraty he finished the video a day before then unlisted it

[@pyeitme508]

Lol

[@a.h.tvideomapping4293]

Last Time I was this early Basil II was still some five year old who lost his father

[@yessir_]

let me guess his dad went to the store to buy milk

[@RexoryByzaboo]

Then his mother married some random man named Nikephoros Phokas. He got a new dad, yeah...

[@HarryPerrin-g5t]

@@yessir_ whoo😮

[@matheuroux5134]

The only things than can beat the Vikings in Italy? Other Vikings, but these ones speak French.

[@otanakugaming3357]

Very Ambitious Crossover

[@user-jr8kp4vn1j]

Their cousins, the Normans

[@Pantsinabucket]

Most of the Varangian Guard at the time of the Norman conquests were Englishmen, as in Old English speakers, who were dispossessed of their lands by the Normans.

[@failuretv814]

"The vikings have an habit of showing up on places you wouldn't expect" That is true i have found one on my closet, how did he get there?

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

There was one in my trunk yesterday

[@myon_craft150]

The same happened to me! Except that he was in Basement and instead of a Viking it was 40 dead Kids

[@Elenrai]

@@HistoryHouseProductions Listen, I just needed a lift and I didnt want to be a bother! Also more stops at monistaries and less random back alleys!

[@julianhannen99]

A Viking was in my moms closet

[@aerohydreigon1101]

The viking was in the freezer

[@indelibleink5577]

I can't even tell you how much I love the History House Productions Extended Universe

[@matthewmelson1780]

He showed up just in time to replace the MCU

[@barrett206]

Yes

[@croweman6515]

Vikings being hired as the bodyguards of the Byzantine Emperor, reminds me of when The Rolling Stones hired the Hells Angels to be their security guards! Lol

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Did that happen? That’s pretty funny.

[@croweman6515]

@@HistoryHouseProductions it did actually, the Altamont Free Concert on Dec 6, 1969. And they... kinda sorta... stabbed and beat a man to death, so... yeah...

[@bcajma12]

@@croweman6515 So they just hired Vikings then?

[@SamAronow]

8:34 I don't know man, there are a *lot* of strategic triangles out there.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

But some are created more strategic than others

[@penguinpingu3807]

And the most strategic triangle today is the Bermuda triangle. It's quite big and strategic.

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@HistoryHouseProductions pls do one on the sikh empire

[@richardbeck3472]

But have we considered the dorritoes triangle?

[@twiniki5186]

Humans in the 21st century: *trying to go to Mars* The vikings who already got there 1000 years ago: *die in norse because there's no oxygen, but still laughing*

[@prestonjones1653]

And they named it Blueland.

[@collin1061]

Vikings, soldiers of fortune that have fought everywhere in europe and a bit in north africa and levant

[@boolosboi7503]

*And North America

[@jian5]

"This battle is rigged! If we count the legal deaths, we easily win!" LOL such a relevant reference!

[@a.h.tvideomapping4293]

_I demand a recount of the casualties_

[@istandwithisrael5110]

Trump won

[@northernnaysayer1240]

@@istandwithisrael5110 Except he really didn't.. At all.... And now there's audio of him trying to rig the election himself....

[@Demicleas]

@@northernnaysayer1240 and now since both politicians are shit were all ganna die.

[@deteon1418]

Treasure: Exists Vikings: Hippity Hoppity, this is now my property.

[@Newdivide]

Shiba Inu shiro suki

[@sodapop1794]

Harald Hardrada in Civ 6 Harold - Why u no have ships? U weak! Me - Harold please we're both land locked stop declaring surprise wars

[@RandomTrinidadian]

"I do not conceed, this battle was rigged." Why does that sound so familiar? 🤣🤣🤣

[@harpersferryblues]

Me: *sees Hararld hadrada in title* Also me: Y E S

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpLEq4iderCojKM

[@heathdionne7717]

@@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244 😓

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

@@heathdionne7717 im sorry man

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

@@heathdionne7717 i very very sorry

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

@@heathdionne7717 i feel like a dick man you rickroll me now

[@aleksandarvil5718]

Zoom Intro PRICELESS XD 😂😂😂👍👍

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpLEq4iderCojKM

[@trtyuiop]

Join his discord in the description of the video

[@trtyuiop]

@@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244 I knew that would be a rickroll

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

@@trtyuiop haha

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

I’m glad you liked it haha!

[@kenny1514]

The humor in this one was 🔥

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

I’m glad to liked it!

[@aleksandarvil5718]

2:28 **'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Starts**

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

I already used that meme haha

[@viktor9988]

Fun fact: There is a runestone in Uppland, Sweden that tells a story about a viking who travelled to 'Grikkland' and served under the emperor before he returned home. 'Grikkland' is the name the vikings gave the Byzantine Empire, hence why Greece in swedish today is 'Grekland'.

[@joksizantos7520]

0:06 My teacher when he doesnt read the chat

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Same

[@pyeitme508]

@@HistoryHouseProductions please chat my replies please 🥺🙏?

[@IpernickTheGreat]

Calling Sicily "Italy's most strategic Triangle" was enough to make me love the video

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

It had to be done

[@kingsarues1586]

What did you do today? Me: well I didn't die to the English like a nerd.

[@thinkersreasoning1575]

Harold.. He attac He defend But Most importantly He choke when it comes to england

[@Newdivide]

Shiba Inu Shiro suki

[@dutchvanderlinde1855]

Thanks Rick very cool

[@jonathantitterton9455]

Slight correction, the Varangian were the bodyguard to the Byzantine Throne and Imperial Family, the Hitaria were the bodyguard to the actual emperor. The Varangians were mercenaries who were paid 1.75 to 2.5lbs Gold and anything they could carry out of the imperial treasury (the Hitaria were sons of Byzantine nobles)

[@minnumseerrund]

Interesting post-Hastings fact: While the Varangians originally consisted of Norse and Slavic mercenaries, it would later have a huge influx of Anglo-Saxons after William the Conqueror and his French Totally-Christian Not-Vikings sent them packing

[@srsanders3]

He should have said “Czech? Check” that’s like the perfect opportunity

[@lokalfubbick2376]

1:19 really hit different, huh.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Haha! Are you Swedish?

[@lokalfubbick2376]

@@HistoryHouseProductions Hopefully not for long, i wish they would just give us back to Denmark already.

[@thecornseller]

The Super Bowl? Check. As a Vikings fan, that joke gave me a laugh, thank you

[@isaiahrogge]

Lmao definitely my favorite KZbin channel. He’s not afraid to say herald is a terrible name.

[@louisnall3102]

Basil II sounds like a nice guy, I bet he got along very well with the Bulgars.

[@ΓεώργιοςΓαλανάκης-ν5ω]

Some of the Greeks still have a surname with the word Βαράγγος/Βαράνγκος contained, which means Varangian, because many of them preferred to stay in the Greek lands. Also, a Greek-Byzantine princess was incredible for these times to marry with a non-Greek, so that's why her "price" was so big. Also, considering that after that the Russians became more and more strong, along with Basil II, who made the strongest empire of late 10th and early 11th century. Because Basil was refusing to give his sister to the Russians, he demanded from Vladimir to baptize all the Russians in front of Basil and his officials

[@grajki2918]

The Superbowl one had me dead

[@trtyuiop]

How come you still have 70k subscribers you deserve more

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you!

[@landenridings3209]

I missed you, History House Productions

[@jlhistory]

Great job! One of the best intros I’ve ever seen, I hope to get to your level soon 🙂

[@someguy7390]

This guy deserves way more subscribers

[@cgman9886]

Whhaaat u uploaded ! Its gonna be a good Sunday !

[@micheasz2552]

I wonder what will be the Endgame of History House Productions Universe....

[@Artur_M.]

I was expecting some joke about Basil's royal nickname being the Bulgar Slayer, which is pretty metal in my humble opinion. Other than that great video mate, congratulations on becoming temporary British!

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Haha! Yeah, Basil’s nickname is pretty sick. I was originally gonna have a section on Basil’s campaigns with the Varangian guard, but I cut it to save time.

[@lukedanuser]

HHP: The most important triangle in history, Sicily Doritos: Am I a joke to you?

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Haha!

[@whatmane8515]

Yay he uploaded

[@stanisawzokiewski707]

Amazing video. Just one thing. You called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher Seh-pull-cher but the h is silent so it is Seh-pull-ker

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Good to know

[@kuev5373]

We wait for your discord server history

[@trtyuiop]

Yep

[@yurisakovski1293]

Me and my mother we’re talking about this yesterday, talk about timing.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

That’s funny!

[@RisXXX]

My mum and me today

[@forzaa867]

Okay this video doesn't have too much activity anymore so I hope you SEE this man. I've been watching you since last year at like 10k subs and I talked to you about the Native Americans. Not the point, the point is that you are still fucking hilarious but if you get popular like Oversimplified History or any other History channel that gets big, PLEASE DON'T become a normie like them and make bad lame jokes to appeal to the general audience. This channel is so golden and I want you to grow but at a fear... Bump me when you see this bro.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I still have to make that Native American warfare video at some point. I’ll keep trying to make funny jokes as long as I can haha! Once again, I really do appreciate your support. It means a lot to me.

[@mri127]

Can you do ethiopia wars in the 1800s? There’s are lots of cool things to see! Great video!

[@Joe___schmoe]

The use of homeboy in this video is great

[@kuev5373]

Actully Slavs ASKED vikings to rule them. It's says in Russian sources but it can be diffrent.

[@kuev5373]

@Atlas aït Amazal If you read Russian chronicales you woukd see that it says that Russians asked vikings but nobdy know how it actukky happend

[@kurzeanimation2487]

"Hey that guy looks Rich." "Make him a duke." ~Some Slavs probably.

[@yoghurtmaster1688]

@Atlas aït Amazal I mean slavs also didn't resists bulgar leadership so i doubt the rus would be any different

[@kuev5373]

@@kurzeanimation2487 I think it's really accurate that you said

[@communistcrab582]

I like all.of your videos I like your sick weapon videos the most hope u can do more:)

[@boborno]

I'm waiting for this guy to make a video about the Yugoslav wars

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

That would be a fun comment section on

[@歴史語学]

WHY THE HELL IS THIS UNDERRATED

[@barrett206]

Great vid glad to see more vids

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thanks!

[@oliverrl2349]

Last time I was this early the Byzantine empire still owned Anatolia

[@sebastianpijov8708]

Then you arrived just in time

[@ServiServiServiServi]

Honestly this is always the best time of the month. Just the history

[@GoogleUserOne]

I know you secretly narrate other videos damn you

[@ΛεωνάνδροςΠεργαμενός]

I love your Channel man. :) Please make a video about the Fourth crusade.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you! The Fourth Crusade has been covered kinda a lot, but maybe some day I’ll make a video!

[@ΛεωνάνδροςΠεργαμενός]

@@HistoryHouseProductions i know, but your video are mutch more funny. Im also a big Byzantine fanboy, thats why i love your channel. :)

[@7adiyo]

Another fun video HHP. Great work!!!

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you!

[@averageperson8274]

it be nice if ye do more history videos including the most underrated caliphate ever known, the Fatimids

[@CoolKid1010]

I'm watching this video for homework and I wanna kms because it's so stressful

[@Newdivide]

This is Sparta!!

[@SappieLive]

Yay another upload!! Do you have a discord btw?¿

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Yeah, it’s in the description

[@danjudex2475]

Im surprised you didn't play doom music when the Bulgar Slayer was on screen

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

A missed opportunity for sure

[@KingG02gb]

Wait,Harold died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Man Roman Abramovich must be really proud

[@benjamincornier4268]

You should make a video on the Falklands War, it seems like a short war that can be put into a video

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

That would be good probably. Oversimplified has a video on it already though.

[@oxiiislk]

Im using this as learning things for My homework 📚

[@useraccount1087]

9:00-9:27 freaking gold lmao

[@hiimryan2388]

He will make Byzantium great again!

[@CivilWarWeekByWeek]

So that’s why we have Skype

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

It all makes sense now

[@iosiasaemilius2795]

"includes paid promotion" you know this guy is hustlin now

[@pyeitme508]

Like u use TEAM in the intro 0:01 lol! That's Canada 0:30 not America lol, Superbowl seriously and my mom's house 0:34 OMG?! 😂🙈 Greek fire intensifies 2:36 !😂🤣 Christmas jingle happiness to slaughter enemies 4:37 😂.

[@aleksandarvil5718]

1:57 - 2:01 "300" Reference?!?

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

You got it

[@leopoldpferdmann6980]

I've been looking forward to this

[@sherik8383]

Nice video dude! Can you make a video about the Chechen wars next?

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Maybe! That’d probably be tough one to do though haha

[@sherik8383]

@@HistoryHouseProductions yea it’s confusing with all the bearded Chechen dudes thought they were The ancient Rus!

[@ChIGuY-town22_]

"now I'm the captain": priceless.

[@whyguy12]

That Vikings and super bowl really hits low but is kinda funny

[@brother-mesho941]

this is so wholesome!

[@adelarios1458]

the zoom intro was funny

[@peenplays4219]

All the quips and whatnot containing stuff like homeboy, curbstomped, and bootgang made this fantastic

[@leogjolaj7394]

imagine doing a war over zoom

[@Rsyntax]

Can you please do more about the Byzantins

[@John-qe3ky]

I love the battle recount.

[@randomkhmerperson]

Isn't Harald Hardrada that badass dude who got killed in the battle of Stanford Bridge during his invasion of England against Harold Godwinson

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Yep!

[@randomkhmerperson]

@@HistoryHouseProductions Didn't expect him to show up in Constantinople

[@jona4919]

Zoom call gag funny. GG

[@prakashghumaliya2002]

Thank you for video sir Tack care 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💐💐💐💐

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you

[@kuev5373]

CONNOR! SAVE YOUR DISCORD!

[@northofnashira2575]

Ask Drew Durnil about N. Korean Netflix. He has a following there.

[@patrickmcglonejr8163]

Whats cool is the actual scandinavian translation for viking is : to adventure, or raid.

[@tsepzz4742]

Kings and generals endorsed youuuu

[@smexy_man]

Super video! I applauded for CA$2.00 👏

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you so much!

[@historicallyaccurate2880]

Great Video Man

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!

[@tom4tpuree]

The sun rose over the wasteland As far as the eye can see Sand fills the vast plains of Serkland It's vultures jeering at me But they can circle until they drop dead I have not come this far To end, but to pursure my own thread To join the Varangian Guard!

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Good quote

[@cheesepowder2204]

500 closest friends... Wow

[@VictoriaStobbie]

That intro is feels.

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Indeed

[@charlethemagne5466]

"Basils sister went to live in russia and 6000 bearded barbarians replaced her" I see no issues here, a transaction was made and everyone got what they wanted

[@srfrg9707]

The varangian guard was very avant-garde for its time.

[@biasedconfirmations]

Wow Mr. harold Hadradra voted 353 times in michigan, 245 times in Pennsylvania and 400 times in Nevada.

[@thedownfallparodist1145]

Good Video!

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you!

[@nikolozgilles]

3:05 perfect XD

[@tag180rotax]

9:05 Casual reference to the apprentice lol

[@khuongtran5361]

man i love the chirstmas song

[@iamlazy6461]

Great video

[@rootbeerjunkie1325]

Awesome video!

[@HistoryHouseProductions]

Thank you!