Standing army in the service of the Kings of England, 1013–1051
Anglo-Saxon status
Cyning (sovereign)
Ætheling (prince)
Ealdorman (Earl)
Hold / High-reeve
Thegn
Thingmen / housecarl (retainer)
Reeve / Verderer (bailiff)
Churl (free tenant)
Villein (serf)
Cottar (cottager)
Þēow (slave)
v
t
e
The Thingmen was a unit in the service of the Kings of England during the period 1013–1051, financed by direct taxation which had its origins in the tribute known as Danegeld.[1] It consisted mostly of men of Scandinavian descent and it had an initial strength of 3,000 housecarls and a fleet of 40 ships, which was subsequently reduced. Its last remnant was disbanded by Edward the Confessor in 1051.[2]
In the 11th century, three courts outside Scandinavia were particularly prominent in recruiting Scandinavian troops:[3] Novgorod-Kiev (Kievan Rus') c. 980–1060,[3] Constantinople (the Varangian Guard) 988–1204,[3][4] and England 1018–1051.[3] Scandinavia was however also a recruiting area for attacks against England and this is why a defence needed to be organized by the Danish king Cnut the Great.[1][5][6] The Thingmen attracted Swedish mercenaries, and probably some Norwegian as well.[1]
^ abcPritsak 1981:410
^Swanton, Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, pp. 171–173
^ abcdPritsak 1981:386
^Although after 1066, the Varangian Guard mostly consisted of Englishmen, see Pritsak 1981:386
^Pritsak 1981:411
^Pritsak 1981:410 refers here to the runestone U 617.
The Thingmen was a unit in the service of the Kings of England during the period 1013–1051, financed by direct taxation which had its origins in the tribute...
Lion (inscription made by Swedish Varangians) Swedes (Germanic tribe) Thingmen Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks Varangian runestones Västgötalagen...
two-handed long axes. Comitatus Druzhina Hird Leidang Yeomen of the Guard Thingmen Butsecarl is a term that has been translated to mean 'sailor' and 'warrior'...
Germanic neopaganism. Feudalism Hestavíg Sacred king Divine right of kings Thingmen Volkhv Byock, Jesse L. (1993). "Goði". Entry in Medieval Scandinavia, an...
cabinet) and thus had a say in governmental and other important matters. Thingmen Druzhina The name lið or lithsmen is an ambiguous term which is thought...
Gabiniani Somatophylakes Maryannu Varangian Guard German Guard Leidang Fyrd Thingmen Beckwith, Christopher I. (16 March 2009). Empires of the Silk Road: A History...
Danegeld (tax) indicates likely service with the Scandinavian troops in the Thingmen from 1018 to 1066, the runestones are dated to the second quarter of the...
Hungary) Gesith Huskarl Druzhina Varangian Guard German Guard Leidang Fyrd Thingmen Secret society S. H. Steinberg, A New Dictionary of British History (London...
for "masters") and "devils, spirits, dushar, chekists, cheka, salabons, thingmen, young, elephants" (slang for "slaves"). One of the major negative effects...
autumn 1102. Huskarl Druzhina Hird Comitatus Varangian Guard German Guard Thingmen Lund, Niels (2002), Hattendorf, John B.; Unger, Richard W. (eds.), "Naval...
Arimannus Mannerbund Comitatus (classical meaning) Fyrd Housecarl Druzhina Thingmen Varangian Guard Hird István Bóna: Der Anbruch des Mittelalters: Gepiden...
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