housecarl

Also known as húskarl, huskarl

A housecarl (; ) was a non-servile manservant or household bodyguard in medieval Northern Europe.

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Article

17 sections

Contents

Etymology
In Scandinavia
As free manservants
As combatant retainers
In Norwegian service: the ''heiðþegar''
The housecarls of the Danish kings: the {{lang|non|heimþegar}}
In England
Organisation as royal bodyguards and courtiers
Pay, land grants, and social role
Administrative role
Military role
The housecarls of Harold Godwinson: Stamford Bridge and Hastings
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

A housecarl (; ) was a non-servile manservant or household bodyguard in medieval Northern Europe.

The institution originated amongst the Norsemen of Scandinavia, and was brought to Anglo-Saxon England by the Danish conquest in the 11th century. They were well-trained, and paid as full-time soldiers. In England, the royal housecarls had a number of roles, both military and administrative, and they fought under Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings.