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Zinnsoldaten Hessen Verein für das Sammeln von, der Bemalung von und dem Spiel mit historischen Zinnfiguren
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UPDATED
Berserks and Ulfhednar
Article, figures and pictures by Werner G. Elb
Thanks to our member Marco Petermann for his help with the translation
(Please click a picture to get (in most cases) a greater picture)
The berserks,
mentioned in Viking Sagas dressed themselves in bearskins to get the power of the
bear.
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When they became angry,
they went berserk. They would then have attacked the closes enemy
immediately and it was said that they were immun against blades. |
Berserking Berserks Figure: Foundry |
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Attacking Berserks Figure: Foundry |
There are theories that the berserks used drugs to work themselves into a berserker rage. In peacetimes they seemed to be mistrusted by other Vikings. The berserks might had been outsiders of the Vikings, good in war but dangerous in peace time . |
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It is not sure if they existed but they are marvellous figures. There is an evidence that they might have existed : Law of Norway and Island forbidded berserking after 1015. |
Old Berserk Figure: Foundry |
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Ulfhednar howling like a wulf Figure: Foundry
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Ulfhednar were a special group of berserks wearing wulf skins to get the power of a wulf. |
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They were mentioned in many Wikingersagas specially as a 12 men elite unit of King Harald at the sea battle of Hafrsfjord.
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Attacking Ulfhednar Figure: Foundry |
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Ulfhednar with spear Figure: Gripping Beast
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It is questionabele, if they wore clothes and armour or if they had been naked under the wulfskins. |
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existed but the figures of Foundry and Gripping Beast are so nice,
I just had to paint them.
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Advancing Ulfhednar Figure: Foundry |
More Viking, Berserk and Ulfhednar figures you find on my private webpage
Historische Zinnfiguren / Historical Miniatures in the section Wikinger / Vikings .