In the Northman, Alexander Skarsgard plays Amleth the Bear Wolf, a renowned Viking Berserker. How much do we know about the Berserkers? And how would they be used by Norse Armies?

by woffo2

Hi everyone, suffice to say I’m very interested in the Northman and it’s depiction of Viking berserkers. I have a few questions on the subject:

  1. How would one go about becoming a Berserker or joining a troop of Berserkers?
  2. What would induce or cause someone to go Berserkergang? Was it PTSD, mushrooms, henbane, or all of the above?
  3. Did berserkers perform rituals for their transformations? Also what separates a Bear berserker from a wolf berserker?
  4. How were berserkers fielded by Norse Viking commanders? What sort of role would they play in a shield wall or on a raid?
  5. What did their equipment and gear mostly look like? We’re they usually just clad in furs like Alexander is in the Northman?
  6. How were the berserkers perceived by Norse society at large? Were they loathed or admired? Or a bit of both?
  7. Lastly, when did the practice officially start, and when did it end? And why did it end?

Thank you so much, open to book suggestions as well

Holy_Shit_HeckHounds

Were Berserkers really as crazy as the historical records show? written by u/y_sengaku is the best and most recent write up on how little is actually known about Berserkers

An older answer that might interest you is Why are berserkers depicted biting shields in Viking culture? written by u/Sol115