There are some accounts in history that claim a few Berserkers were successful with this and were actually shapeshifters, though most scholars agree that it was likely a hyperbole. This was considered to be a great achievement as the Berserker’s main goal was to transform into their cult’s animal. The Berserkers were so dedicated to their craft that they were often recorded in historical texts as being animals instead of human. The great spirituality and discipline with which the Berserkers practiced leads some to believe that the cult could have developed a level of martial arts that would have been comparable to that of the Japanese culture. For the Berserkers to throw them aside with such indifference shows that they have forgotten the cares of men and have instead risen above to a higher level. This was considered to be among their most precious possessions and they looked after these things diligently. When the Norse reached manhood, they were given a sword and shield by their father. On of the most telling aspects of this is that they gnawed at the edges of their shields and commonly threw their swords and shields aside before battle. Life of a Berserkerīerserkers lived without the same sorts of luxuries that the rest of the Norse had access to. They braved the code, adopted the habits of their patron animal, and drank the blood of wolves, hogs, and bears. Men would train in the woods for years to become worthy enough to join the ranks of the elite. Reaching the berserkergang state was considered a rite of passage into their cult world. They would go into a frenzied trance in which they could not be disturbed by any outside force and could not be harmed by fire or weapons made of iron. Many accounts of Berserkers speak of their tendencies to bite at (and even eat) the metal at the edges of their shields and one account even mentions a Berserker who swallowed a fire ember.Īlthough berserkergang was most commonly seen in battle, there were also instances where the transformation could be seen in Berserkers who were trying to perform the impossible while working. They would cut down any living thing in their path without remorse – often while engaging in other terrifying behavior. Commonly, this state caused warriors to go into a state of hysteria and frenzy so extreme that they couldn’t differentiate friends from foes. Berserkergangīerserkergang was a terrifying sight to behold. They were known to be similar to vicious animals and were feared by all when they went into their state of frenzy – often known as berserkergang. The Berserkers were known to pillage and burn down villages, kill livestock, kill men and women indiscriminately, and rape both married women and virgins. This is likely part of the reason their group was later outlawed. Some of the harshest critiques of the Berserkers came from their habit of destruction and devastation – even among their own people. These men were so brutal that they raped and pillaged towns without discrimination. The Berserkers however, were another story. However, the Norse themselves were actually quite peaceful people and even had high standards for gender equality in their day.
When we think of the Norse and the Vikings, we often think of large brutes who pillaged villages, stole from their own, and spilled blood wherever they went. Berserkers were not opposed to violent behavior and were so ruthless with their actions that they are thought to have tarnished the reputation of the entire Norse culture. Similarities can be found in their self-control, spiritual connection to their religious figures, and strict training. In fact, there are stories that tell of a Berserker who was challenged to fight and postponed the duel for three days to accommodate a religious celebration.Īlthough the Berserkers were known to be a highly religious cult, their idea of religion was very different from what we think of today. It is important to note that although the Berserkers were known for their ruthlessness and violence, they were also very religious. This is perhaps why the different cults adopted animal representations as the head of their groups. It is thought that the Berserkers, like other northern warriors, began their traditions in hunting magic. This theory has caused many historians to abandon the ‘bare shirt’ theory.
This was thought to describe the bear cult of these famed warriors, who were known to closely guard the King. Others argue that ‘ber’ should actually be seen as ‘berr’ – the Norse word for bear.
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