Jomsvikings: The world's largest Viking age elite warrior Brotherhood

To know where we are going we must understand where we have come from. History is never static; it grows through time and can be seen through many pairs of eyes. The history of the Jomsvikings and the Army of Jomsborg will continue to grow, and no doubt truth will remain stranger than fiction ...

In 1988, a group called the Jomsborgelag was founded in the UK by Phil Burthem, Robert Taylor, Adrian Lulham and Robin Cowley.

The name of the group means The Law of Jomsborg. The aims and rules of the group were based on the laws and practices of the Jomsvikings, a legendary military brotherhood active in the late 10th century and based in the southern Baltic.

The Jomsborgelag was originally affiliated with the NFPS Viking Society, but between 1988 and 1993 they grew both in size and reputation. On the battlefield, the Jomsborgelag regularly defeated all other groups both through individual fighting skill and through group tactical ability. Members of the Jomsborgelag attired themselves to portray warriors of wealth and renown and soon acquired the reputation of being visually stimulating as well as experienced and capable.

By 1993 the Jomsborgelag had acquired the necessary experience to conduct its first solo, full scale foreign campaign - to Wolin in Poland, the supposed site of the fortress of Jomsborg. The expedition was successful on many levels. Warriors who participated in the campaign envisioned a new way to live, not just in the world of re-enactment but in the modern world as well; they began to live akin to Vikings.

The Jomsviking Brotherhood
In the late summer of 1993, the Jomsborgelag and their allies left the NFPS Viking Society to seek adventure and glory beyond anything that had come before in the world of re-enactment. During this time a transition was occurring within the Jomsborgelag itself, with the formation of the Jomsviking Brotherhood. The Brotherhood consisted of the most skilled and most committed of the original Jomsborgelag members. The aim of the Jomsviking Brotherhood was to form an elite fighting force whose actions, behaviours and adventures more closely recreated those of the original Jomsvikings a thousand years ago.

Vikings:The Ring and the Oath The creation of the Council of Jomsvikings from within the Jomsborgelag was the first step in formalising this process. Initially the Council of Jomsvikings consisted of Phil Burthem, Alex Webb, Mark Roberts, Robert Taylor and Robin Cowley. Soon after this the first new Jomsviking was promoted. These original Jomsvikings were pioneers, linked to the Brotherhood through honour and commitment to each other. This was formally acknowledged through ritual and through the receipt of the Jomsviking ring. The emphasis, which remains to this day, was that every Jomsviking should display exemplary loyalty to his brother Jomsvikings, be a superb fighter and dress as a wealthy and distinguished man.

It is worth noting that currently, the fighting experience of individual Jomsvikings ranges from five to thirty years, with the majority clocking over ten years of fighting experience.

A Jomsviking did not need to be a member of the Jomsborgelag but automatically became part of The Army if they took the Ring and the Oath of the Brotherhood. All members of The Army of Jomsborg are free to join any organisations they choose in the Viking world subject to conditions set out by any Styrsmen or Jarls they have sworn to follow.

The 'Elags ["e -lag"; Law - of ]
From 1993 onwards the Jomsviking Brotherhood began to supplant the Jomsborgelag, to the extent that by 1998 the Jomsborgelag was largely an umbrella organisation for warriors wishing to campaign with the Jomsvikings, and not an entity in its own right.

Now, in the new millennia, the Jomsborgelag has been re-created as a separate organisation allied to the Jomsvikings, with inevitable cross-over between the two. There are currently Jomsborgelag Chapters in Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland and the UK. The various 'Elags Chapters come together regularly to train, to fight and for just general merriment. The main aspiration of an 'Elag member is, of course, to become a Jomsviking! Though many are called, few are chosen.

The Organisational Structure
The organisation of the Jomsborgelag and the Jomsvikings consists of a Council as the ruling body. Rules were - and still are - enforced from the top down. This approach, whilst seemingly despotic, allows the majority of members to ignore the need for politics and to get on with the business of being a Viking. A bonus of the Constitution imposed by the Council is that no great demands are placed on individual members, who are largely free to explore 10th century recreation as they please. In addition - as with any army - following the rules can mean the difference between life and death on the battlefield!

A Styrsman is the autocratic leader and commander of his Chapter/'Elag, although the Jarl of The Jomsvikings in conjunction with The Jomsviking Council may be called in to settle a problem if the Styrsman so desires. The Jarl's decision is final.

Past Achievements
Since beginning their adventures, The Jomsvikings have traveled far. The Brotherhood have been responsible or directly involved with creating the first International Viking Festivals and Markets in Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Greenland, Poland, Holland, Canada, Denmark, France and Belgium, with more events in other countries currently in development.

Vikings:Past Achievements Although the Army of Jomsborg is encouraged to grow, it is not our objective to model the whole Viking world in the image of Jomsborg. In fact the Jomsvikings have helped and encouraged in the creation and training of groups, fighters and craftsmen in the many countries listed above. It is important that people in different countries find their own relationship and interpretation of their Nordic interests and/or heritage. They should not feel obligated to belong to or join existing organisations and societies, but rather they should be helped and encouraged to form their own.

The Jomsvikings and Jomsborgelag continue to go from strength to strength. Such is the reputation of skill, ability and showmanship of the Jomsvikings in particular, that they have been invited to take part in re-enactment shows all over the world, including guarding the Danish queen on her visit to Greenland!

If you would like more information about the Jomsviking Brotherhood, the Jomsborgelag, or about Viking re-enactment in general, get in touch via the information available on the CONTACT section.