5.VIKING BERSERKER
From the 8th century A.D to the 11th century A.D nothing was more terrifying to europe's dark ages than the viking raider.The coasts of europe from russia to britain to spain were set ablaze by these massive axe wielding monstrosities and their amphibious asaults from bases in scandinavia and iceland.The chosen among the norse warriors were the terrifying berserker who went into battle semi naked in fit of drugged mindless rage wearing bearskin or wolfskins and horned helmets ready to join thor and odin in their feast at valhalla[the viking concept of paradise,where fallen warriors would join odin in a grand feast drinking in cups made out of the skulls of their enemies]
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The name berserker arose from their reputed habit of wearing a kind of shirt or coat (Old Norse: serkr) made from the pelt of a bear (Old Norse: ber-) during battle.
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They fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk.This believed to be done from consumed drugged foods.The actual fit of madness the berserker experienced was referred to as berserkergang ("going berserk"). This condition has been described as follows:
This fury, which was called berserkergang, occurred not only in the heat of battle, but also during laborious work. Men who were thus seized performed things which otherwise seemed impossible for human power. This condition is said to have begun with shivering, chattering of the teeth, and chill in the body, and then the face swelled and changed its colour. With this was connected a great hot-headedness, which at last gave over into a great rage, under which they howled as wild animals, bit the edge of their shields, and cut down everything they met without discriminating between friend or foe. When this condition ceased, a great dulling of the mind and feebleness followed, which could last for one or several days.
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Vikings coming ashore on a raid.Rurik the viking established the tsardom of russia with the origin of the romanov dynasty at novgorod.
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A chosen norse berserker.The longaxe was the weapon of choice and for those strong enough to wield it,provided massive blunt force and shock as well as penetration that would penetrate even medieval armour.
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Viking weapons.The longsword was another weapon commonly used by vikings,but berserkers prefered the brutal battle axe.The barbarian character of diablo 2/3 is based on the berserker.
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Viking helmets,on the right u can also see the arab and samurai helmets.
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Last Stand of the viking berserker:25 September 1066. The Saxons really had the Vikings by the balls now. The saxon army had caught the vikings unprepared and dispersed,With all of the Viking warriors on the West bank either slaughtered or running for their lives, the Saxon forces prepared to charge over the river, jam their spears into the eyes of anyone wearing animal fur and complete the destruction of these Norse invaders once and for all. However, even with the Northman Army reeling and in complete disarray, victory would not come so easily for the Saxon Army.
Standing astride the bridge was one man. A giant Norse berserker silently surveyed the Saxon army, firmly clutching a massive double-bladed Greataxe in his weathered, calloused hands. A lone Viking hero granted permission by his King to die honorably in combat, tasked with defending the narrow bridge and buying time for his brethren to reorganize. His face was concealed by an imposing horned helm - metal plates reinforcing a mask constructed from the bleached bone remains of a fearsome animal skull, his wild eyes peering through the darkness like searing orbs of white-hot flame. A living demon, sent forth from the darkest recesses of Hell itself to exact brutal vengeance on any mortal brave or foolish enough to cross him, defying anyone with more balls than sense to test his wrath.
The full might of the Anglo-Saxon army charged the bridge, determined to extricate this colossal beast from his post through the sheer weight of their numbers, but the narrow walkway above the raging waters of the River Derwent was only wide enough for four men to stand abreast, and its guardian was unwavering in his resolve. The first rank of fighting men crashed full-speed into the Norseman like a school bus full of insolent teenagers being hurled face-first into a wall of unflinching spikes. For almost an hour this resolute 20th Level Fighter single-handedly tore through the English like a chainsaw-wielding space marine with the God Mode cheat activated, shaking off even the most horrific wounds as if they were gunshot wounds from a laser tag weapon and slaughtering more soldiers than a bad Sci-Fi Channel Original movie. After watching this man unleash mayhem so brutal that it would make even the most hardcore MMA enthusiasts nauseous, one clever Saxon warrior wised up and decided not to try and test this barbarian's might. He floated a barrel in the river, hopped in, drifted underneath the bridge, and jammed his spear up through the planks, striking the Viking in his only weak point - the ball sack.
Achilles had his infamous heel,and finally the berserker went down after another strike.
The legend would live on as the lone viking of stamford bridge.
Note[excerpts of the story taken from badass of the week site,i don't take credit so don't flame me]
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The vikings eventually settled down , but many made their way to the byzantine empire where they formed the elite imperial guard known as the varangian guard.This was one of the best medieval infantry forces and usually fought to the death around their emperor.
Next:Swiss Pikeman.
) and the Wehrmacht (as they were the closest to our generation who terrified half the world with their awsome military tactics but an insane madman at the helm). 
