The competition in retinues of warriors in early medieval Northern Europe

Abstract

A study of competitive activities within retinues of warriors in early medieval Northern Europe: games, verbal and physical challenges, combat, even violent confrontations were not only pass times, but important aspects of the way those retinues functioned. They could indeed represent challenges to the cohesion of a retinue, but they were also part of its very organization. Retinues were dynamic and ever-changing structures, and both peaceful and less peaceful competitive activities were used to define and re-define ranks within the group