Viking Hersir 793-1066 AD (Warrior) [Paperback]

Mark Harrison (Author), Gerry Embleton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Warrior | Publication Date: July 29, 1993

When Norwegian Vikings first raided the European coast in the 8th century AD, their leaders were from the middle ranks of warriors known as hersirs. At this time the hersir was typically an independent landowner or local chieftain with equipment superior to that of his followers. By the end of the 10th century, the independence of the hersir was gone, and he was now a regional servant of the Norwegian king. This book investigates these brutal, mobile warriors, and examines their tactics and psychology in war, dispelling the idea of the Viking raider as simply a killing machine.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Insights into the real lives of history's fighting men, packed with full colour illustrations, highly detailed cutaways, exploded artwork of weaponry and armour, and action-packed battle scenes.

About the Author

Mark Harrison was born in Castleford, Yorkshire in 1954 and has a Batchelor's degree in Medieval Studies from Lancaster University. He has worked as a Curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London since 1986 and has a strong interest in the early medieval world. He lives in Colchester with his wife and son.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855323184
• ISBN-13: 978-1855323186
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #821,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Halfway There, May 27, 1998

By 

Holly Ingraham "ailurophile" (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viking Hersir 793-1066 AD (Warrior) (Paperback)

Does little or nothing on its supposed thesis of showing the development of the hersir from the free farmer-warrior. Too much space wasted on showing a system of catagorizing swords which then is never used to show anything. One of the worst things I've ever seen from Osprey, though still an okay book. You are better off getting the Elite series #3 on Vikings.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's About The Viking Warrirors, Not Just the Hersirs, July 12, 2003

By 

Jonathan S. Mark "marjo_wycam" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viking Hersir 793-1066 AD (Warrior) (Paperback)

The hersirs were apparently the Viking commanders, but this book is about the Vikings whether they were commanders or not.

As in the other Osprey books, a prime reason for getting the book is the illustrations. If you want to know what the Viking might have looked like who killed the English king's reeve Beathuheard with an axe to the head in the late 8th centuries, check out these drawings.

The Vikings were scary dudes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Viking Hersir, February 15, 2004

By 

Cwn_Annwn (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viking Hersir 793-1066 AD (Warrior) (Paperback)

Yet another great one from Osprey. Great easy to read info and history on Vikings and the illustrations are flat out amazing. Highly recomended for anybody interested in the Vikings as well as reenactors and SCA types!