Thingmen

The Thingmen (Old English: Þingalið) was a unit in the service of the Kings of England during the period 1013–1051, financed by direct taxation which had its origins in the tribute known as Danegeld.[1] It consisted mostly of men of Scandinavian descent and it had an initial strength of 3,000 housecarls and a fleet of 40 ships, which was subsequently reduced. Its last remnant was disbanded by Edward the Confessor in 1051.[2]

In the 11th century, three courts outside Scandinavia were particularly prominent in recruiting Scandinavian troops:[3] Novgorod-Kiev (Kievan Rus') c. 980–1060,[3] Constantinople (the Varangian Guard) 988–1204,[3][4] and England 1018–1051.[3] Scandinavia was however also a recruiting area for attacks against England and this is why a defence needed to be organized by the Danish king Cnut the Great.[1][5][6] The Thingmen attracted Swedish mercenaries, and probably some Norwegian as well.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Pritsak 1981:410
  2. ^ Swanton, Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, pp. 171–173
  3. ^ a b c d Pritsak 1981:386
  4. ^ Although after 1066, the Varangian Guard mostly consisted of Englishmen, see Pritsak 1981:386
  5. ^ Pritsak 1981:411
  6. ^ Pritsak 1981:410 refers here to the runestone U 617.