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36-577: The Jómsvíkinga saga (" Saga of the Jomsvikings ") is a medieval Icelandic saga composed by an anonymous author. The saga was composed in Iceland during the 13th century. It exists in several manuscripts which vary from each other. There are many different versions and translations of the saga. At the time of writing, Wolin , also known as Willon, off the southern coast of the Baltic Sea ,

72-628: A brief explanation of the battle's aftermath and, in fact, points to this battle as the beginning of the end for the Jomsvikings. After these two decisive defeats, the power of the Jomsvikings waned, but Olaf Trygvasson 's Saga relates that they played a decisive, if treacherous, role in the Battle of Svolder in 1000. At Svolder, a Jomsviking force led by Sigvald Jarl abandoned King Olaf of Norway and joined forces with his enemies to annihilate his fleet. This action may have been intended to fight

108-423: A feat of strength, which often took the form of a ritual duel , or holmgang , with a Jomsviking. Once admitted, the Jomsvikings required adherence to a strict code of conduct to instill a sense of military discipline among its members. Any violation of the rules could be punished with immediate expulsion from the order. Each Jomsviking was bound to defend his brothers and to avenge their deaths if necessary. He

144-422: A location near Paprotno, Poland, at 53°51′50″N 14°43′05″E  /  53.86389°N 14.71806°E  / 53.86389; 14.71806 . Rosborn has visited the location and confirms that it matches the descriptions of Jomsborg from the various sagas and chronicles, and that various artifacts found on the surface of the location seem to match the period of time in which Jomsborg existed. However, both

180-519: A long stretch of land between Usedom and Rügen , which fell victim to storm floods in the early 14th century. Suspected locations in this area are the Veritas grounds between the petty islands of Ruden and Greifswalder Oie , and the Peenemünde shoals. While Viking Age jewelry has been found at the site, archaeological evaluation of these theories has not yet been possible. According to

216-582: A political lens. Jómsvíkinga saga served as inspiration for Henry Treece 's novel Horned Helmet (1963). Jomsvikings The legend of the Jomsvikings appears in some of the Icelandic sagas from the 12th and 13th centuries. According to the sagas (particularly the Jómsvíkinga saga , King Olaf Tryggvasson’s Saga , and stories found in the Flatey Book ), their stronghold of Jomsborg

252-575: A settlement named Julinum was conquered by the King of Denmark, Harald Bluetooth , who gave it to the Swedish prince Styrbjörn the Strong . Harald then provided Styrbjörn with a strong force with which Styrbjörn terrorized the seas. The Knýtlinga saga agrees by giving Harald as the founder of the Jomsvikings, but the story of Styrbjörn is not connected to the Jomsvikings. The Jómsvíkinga saga says that

288-625: Is also commemorated, in poetry, by the Icelandic skald Þórvaldr Hjaltason , who took part in the battle on the Swedish side. Jómsvíkinga saga tells that in 986, they attacked Haakon Jarl in Norway and were defeated in the Battle of Hjörungavágr . The saga recounts that Jomsvikings captured by the Norwegians and about to be executed exhibited courage and defiance, some being eventually spared by their captors. The Jómsvíkinga saga ends with

324-478: Is an incomplete manuscript written by an Icelander in the late thirteenth century. The second, MS AM. 510 4to , was written in the fifteenth century and contains much more information than the other versions. The third, Codex Holmanius 7, written in the fourteenth century, is shorter than the other versions and gives a brief summary of the saga. The fourth, Flateyjarbók, is a combination of the Jómsvíking saga and

360-631: Is by no means universally accepted; professor and historian Steven Fanning writes: "The Trelleborg -type fortresses of Denmark have been taken to be actual examples of Jómsborg-style camps of such warriors and Wolin in Poland was believed to be the actual Jómsborg. However, all such attempts to locate Jómsborg or encampments of the Jómvikings have failed, leading many to doubt that Jómvikings ever existed outside of literature." According to Władysław Filipowiak there are several dated sources which attest to

396-486: Is claimed that the disc was a part of a Viking hoard found in 1841 in the Polish village Wiejkowo near the town of Wolin by Heinrich Boldt. Following the find of the disc, Sven Rosborn also found a text that purports to be modern Polish translation of an otherwise unknown Latin chronicle, Gesta Wulinensis ecclesiae pontificum , which in addition to providing details on the Jomsvikings and Jomsborg, attributes to Jomsborg

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432-462: Is often maintained that Jomsborg was located on the eastern outlet of the Oder river. Historian Lauritz Weibull dismissed Jomsborg as a legend. The only source that mentions a precise location of Jomsborg ( 53°51′50″N 14°43′05″E  /  53.86389°N 14.71806°E  / 53.86389; 14.71806 ) is the controversial Gesta Wulinensis ecclesiae pontificum that was discovered in

468-565: The Knytlingasaga and Fagrskinna , Jomsborg was built by the Danish king Harold Bluetooth (910-985/86) in the 960s. The Jomsvikinga Saga mentions Danish Viking Palnatoki as its founder. In medieval records, Jomsborg is described as a fortress with a harbour. The harbour was overseen by a stone tower mounted with catapults, built on an arch spanning over the harbour entrance which could be closed by an iron gate. According to

504-650: The Christianization of Scandinavia , which had been forcibly promoted by Olaf. As it happened though, the Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard , who won the Norwegian throne when the sea battle ended, was (at least nominally) a Christian. He and his father, King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark, are reported to have been baptized in 965. Their decline continued over the next few decades. According to the Heimskringla , King Magnus I of Norway decided to put an end to

540-578: The Jómsvíkings . The Jómsvíkings challenged royal authority in the midst of a power struggle between Denmark and Norway. In order to better understand the Jómsvíkinga saga , it is important to understand the relationship between Denmark and Norway around this time. In addition to founding Jómsborg, Pálna-Tóki founded the brotherhood of the Jómsvíkings. The saga describes the brotherhood and

576-578: The Wends . Gesta Danorum (book 10), Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa and Eyrbyggja saga relate that in the early 980s, the exiled Swedish prince Styrbjörn the Strong brought the Jomsvikings to a devastating defeat against Styrbjörn's uncle King Eric the Victorious at the Battle of the Fýrisvellir , Uppsala , in 984 or 985, while trying to take the crown of Sweden by force of arms. The fact that

612-458: The lausavísur , that refer to their battles. The Saga of the Jomsvikings relates that the Jomsvikings were highly selective in deciding whom to admit to their order. Membership was restricted to men of proven valor between 18 and 50 (with the exception of a boy named Vagn Åkesson , who defeated Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldsson in single combat at the age of 12). In order to gain admission, prospective members were required to prove themselves with

648-572: The town of Wolin by Heinrich Boldt. This list is not exhaustive: Jomsborg#The Curmsun Disc and the Gesta Wulinensis ecclesiae pontificum Jomsborg or Jómsborg ( German : Jomsburg ) was a semi-legendary Viking stronghold at the southern coast of the Baltic Sea (medieval Wendland , modern Pomerania ), that existed between the 960s and 1043. Its inhabitants were known as Jomsvikings . Jomsborg's exact location, or its existence, has not yet been established, though it

684-506: The Baltic region. The only things that are proven to have existed that were mentioned in the Jómsvíkinga saga are many of the main characters (excluding Pálna-Tóki), the Battle of Hjǫrungavágr, and the existence of Jómsborg. Aside from those things, the rest is an unsolved mystery. There are five versions of the Jómsvíkinga saga that have been recovered over the years. The first, MS AM.291,

720-630: The Greater saga of Óláfr Tryggvason. Lastly, the fifth version, was a Latin translation of Arngrímr Jónsson written in the year 1592. Historians have found it difficult to classify the Jómsvíkinga saga among the Old Norse sagas . It is sometimes counted among the Kings' sagas based principally upon the association with Danish kings. Both the Kings' sagas and the Jómsvíkinga saga can be looked at through

756-580: The Jomsviking threat. As part of consolidating his control of Denmark, he sacked Jomsborg in 1043, destroying the fortress and killing many of its inhabitants. A golden disc bearing the name of Harald Bluetooth and Jomsvikings stronghold seat Jomsborg was re-discovered in Sweden in autumn 2014. The disc, also called the Curmsun Disc , is made of high gold content and has a weight of 25.23 grams. On

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792-728: The Jomsvikings lost was attributed to a pact which the Swedish king Eric made with Odin. Three runestones from this time, the Högby Runestone ("the brave champion Asmund fell on the Fyrisvellir"), one of the Hällestad Runestones , labelled DR 295 ("he did not flee at Uppsala"), and the Sjörup Runestone ("He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon"), relate to deaths with honour at Uppsala, probably three Jomsvikings. The battle

828-403: The alternate names, some of which may be spelling variants, "vimne", "uimne", "Jumneta", "Juminem", "Julinum", "uineta", " Vineta " and "Vinneta". In 1931/32, Pomeranian historian Adolf Hofmeister (1883-1956) suggested, through comparison of the events reported by the different chronicles, that all these terms describe the same place, which is at or near the modern town of Wolin. However, this

864-540: The autumn of 2019. Jomsborg is often thought to be identical with the present-day town of Wolin (also Wollin) on the southeastern tip of the isle of Wolin in northwestern Poland , probably located at Srebrna Góra hill north of the town. In the Early Middle Ages , modern Wolin was the site of a multi-ethnic emporium (then known as Jumne or Julin ). The Nordic sagas use "Jómsborg" exclusively, while medieval German histories use "Jumne" or "Julin", with

900-447: The entire brotherhood. No Jomsviking was permitted to be absent from Jomsborg for more than three days without the permission of the brotherhood. No women or children were allowed within the fortress walls, and none was to be taken captive. It is unclear, however, whether members were forbidden marriage or liaisons with women outside the walls. There are different accounts for the origins of the order. Gesta Danorum (book 10) tells that

936-565: The laws of the Jómsvíkings. It also mentions their defeat during the semi-legendary naval Battle of Hjǫrungavágr in 986. This battle occurred between the Jarls of Lade and the Danish invasion fleet of King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark. Jómsvíking chieftain Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldsson , led the Jómsvíkings in an effort to depose Jarl Hákon Sigurðarson , vassal ruler of Norway. The Jómsvíkings lived monastically and primarily in

972-550: The name of Harald Bluetooth and Jomsborg appeared in Sweden in autumn 2014, first presented by Swedish archaeologist Sven Rosborn . The disc, also called the Curmsun Disc , is made of high gold content and has a weight of 25,23 gram. On the obverse there is a Latin inscription and on the reverse there is a Latin cross with four dots surrounded by an octagonal ridge. The inscription reads: "+ARALD CVRMSVN+REX AD TANER+SCON+JVMN+CIV ALDIN+" and translates as "Harald Gormsson king of Danes , Scania , Jomsborg, diocese of Aldinburg". It

1008-408: The obverse there is a Latin inscription and on the reverse there is a Latin cross with four dots surrounded by an octagonal ridge. The inscription reads: "+ARALD CVRMSVN+REX AD TANER+SCON+JVMN+CIV ALDIN+" and translates as "Harald Gormsson king of Danes , Scania , Jomsborg, diocese of Aldinburg". It is assumed that the disc was a part of a Viking hoard found in 1841 in the Polish village Wiejkowo near

1044-725: The oldest records, the harbour had space for three ships; later records give a capacity of up to 360 ships. According to the Heimskringla , Jomsborg was destroyed in 1043 by Dano-Norwegian king Magnus the Good . The fortress was burned down, and many of the inhabitants were killed. The Jomsborg Vikings ( Jomsvikings ) were composed of selected warriors who adhered to a special codex and were loyal only to their leader. Most records list as jarl of Jomsborg, Sigvald(i) , son of petty king Strut-Harald of then Danish Scania . Sigvald died some time before 1010. A golden disc bearing

1080-514: The presence of a company of armed Vikings at the end of the 10th century in Wolin, who may have been installed there as mercenaries by the Polish king Bolesław the Brave . Ruins discovered in Wolin in 2023 are being investigated as a possible site of Jomsborg. Other theories see Jomsborg in the northwest of nearby Usedom island, on lands now submerged. The small islands in this area are remnants of

1116-503: The settlement was founded by Palnatoke , receiving the location from the mythical Wendish ruler Burislav . Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa and Eyrbyggja saga agree with all previously mentioned versions by making Styrbjörn take command of the Jomsvikings after they already had been established. Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa also tells that among the Norse there were many men from the "East land" arriving at Jomsborg , suggesting that it

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1152-451: Was a settlement of mixed ethnicity. Jomsviking chieftains included Palnatok, Styrbjörn the Strong, Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldsson , Thorkell the High , and Hemeng . Accounts of their size vary. In various sources, Jomsborg was supposed to have held anywhere from 30 to 300 ships in its harbor. However some historians believe Jomsborg was largely a market center with its Danish garrison imposed on

1188-472: Was alleged to have been discovered in the autumn of 2019. Historians still debate the accuracy of the accounts of the Jomsvikings. Without a conclusively identified location for their headquarters, and because of a lack of primary or contemporary sources specifically mentioning the Jomsvikings or Jomsborg , confirming the tales of their exploits has been difficult. However, there are three contemporary runestones, as well as passages in Old Norse poetry and

1224-399: Was forbidden to speak ill of his fellows or to quarrel with them. Blood feuds between members were to be mediated by Jomsviking officers. Jomsvikings were forbidden to show fear or to flee in the face of an enemy of equal or inferior strength, but orderly retreat in the face of vastly-outnumbering forces appears to have been acceptable. All spoils of battle were to be equally distributed among

1260-633: Was located on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea , but its exact location has been disputed by modern historians and archeologists. Jomsborg is also thought by some researchers to be identical with Jumne, Julin and Vineta , which are mentioned in both Danish and German records from the Middle Ages . There is no medieval source that mentions a precise location of Jomsborg except for the disputed Gesta Wulinensis ecclesiae pontificum (at 53°51′50″N 14°43′05″E  /  53.86389°N 14.71806°E  / 53.86389; 14.71806 ) that

1296-584: Was not more than a typical market town of the 13th century. However, the Jómsvíkinga saga tells the story of its founding, centuries earlier, as the famed Jómsborg by the legendary Danish chieftain Pálna-Tóki . Jómsborg's name is composed of two elements: the Old Norse term borg, meaning a citadel , and the unidentified term, Jóm . The Jómsvíkinga saga is centered around the tensions between Haraldr Gormsson of Denmark, Hákon Sigurðarson of Norway, and

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