Viking Berserkers Were Legendary Norse Warriors Believed To Have Ingested Hallucinogens To Enter A Trance-Like State Of Fury During Combat
No fighters were more fearsome than the Viking berserkers. These legendary Norse warriors were renowned for their strength, ferocity, and terrifying presence on the battlefield.
Historians believe that they ingested hallucinogens to enter a trance-like state of fury during combat. The English word “berserk,” which describes a wild or frenzied state of anger, is derived from these warriors.
During the Scandinavian Middle Ages, Viking berserkers existed for hundreds of years, traveling in groups to fight wherever they could get paid.
The life of Viking berserkers is shrouded in mystery since their practices weren’t documented in detail until their custom of using mind-altering substances in battle was banned by the Christian church in the 11th century.
Berserkers lived in Scandinavia and served as guards of King Harald I Fairhair, who ruled Norway from 872 to 930 A.D., that much we know. They fought for other kings and royal figures as well. When in battle, berserkers wore horned helmets, roared loudly, and made a lot of noise.
Viking berserkers were often associated with Odin, the Norse god of war and death. Norse mythology suggests that they were actually shapeshifters. The term “berserker” comes from Old Norse “berserkr,” which means “bear shirt.”
This points to the idea that Viking berserkers wore the hide of a bear or other menacing creatures like wolves and wild boars to battle. But legend has it that the warriors would be so filled with rage for fights that they would transform into bears and wolves.
Originally, berserkers were thought to be named after a mythological hero who fought “bare-skinned,” without any armor or clothes on. Fighting nude was an extremely effective way to throw their enemies off guard.
However, archaeological discoveries have led experts to think that Viking berserkers donned animal skins during combat, harnessing the power and aggression of the predators to boost their own strength.
anetlanda – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
As for the mind-altering substance used by the berserkers before battle, it caused them to shiver, develop red, swollen faces, and finally culminate into unbridled rage. After their wild trance ended, they would be physically and emotionally exhausted for days.
It is likely that a plant called henbane, known scientifically as Hyoscyamus niger was the culprit. Ingesting the plant caused the berserkers to exhibit anger, brutality, increased strength, a dulled sense of pain that made them invulnerable to iron swords and fire, and a decrease in their levels of reason. Stinking nightshade and hallucinogenic mushrooms may also have been drugs of choice.
Another reason berserkers may have been so eager to rush into battle was the belief that warriors who died fighting would meet beautiful supernatural women in the afterlife.
According to Viking mythology, these women, who were known as Valkyries, would guide them to Valhalla, the god Odin’s hall. There, the warriors would get ready to fight alongside Odin.
In the 11th century, Jarl Eiríkr Hákonarson of Norway outlawed berserkers. Their physical prowess and psychological warfare that struck terror into the hearts of their enemies were gone for good.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Freaky
