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The Jomsvikings were a semi-legendary order of Viking mercenaries or brigands of the 10th century and 11th century. They were staunchly Pagan and dedicated to the worship of such deities as Odin and Thor. They reputedly would fight for any lord able to pay their substantial fees and occasionally fought alongside Christian rulers. Although they were Pagan, the institutions of the Jomsvikings in some ways anticipated those of the Christian Knightly Orders of the later Middle Ages. The legend of the Jomsvikings appears in some of the Icelandic sagas from the 12th and 13th centuries. According to the Norse sagas (particularly the ''Jómsvíkinga saga'', ''King Olaf Tryggvasson’s Saga'', and stories found in the Flatey Book), their stronghold Jomsborg was located on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea, but the exact location is disputed by modern historians and archeologists. Most scholars locate it on the hill Silberberg, north of the town of Wolin on Wolin island. Jomsborg is thought by some researchers to be identical with Jumne, Julin and Vineta, which are mentioned in both Danish and German ecords from the Middle Ages. 〔 '' Jomsborg'' (The Polish Review. Vol. 1, No. 1 - Vol. 60, No. 3) by Leon Koczy, Summer 1960〕 〔Jones, Gwyn (2001) ''A History of the Vikings'' 127; Otto Kunkel (1941) ''Jumne, Vineta, Jomsburg, Julin, Wollin''.〕 〔 Johannes Hoops, Herbert Jankuhn, Heinrich Beck, ''Reallexikon der germanischen Altertumskunde Band 16'', 2nd edition, Walter de Gruyter, 2000, pp.120-121, ISBN 3-11-016782-4〕 Historians still debate the accuracy of the accounts of the Jomsvikings. Since the site of their headquarters has never been conclusively located, confirming the tales of their exploits is somewhat difficult. The location of Jomsborg is a matter of debate in historical circles, due to the scarcity of primary sources. There are no contemporary sources mentioning the names ''Jomsvikings'' and ''Jomsborg'', but there are three contemporary runestones. Reference also appears in Old Norse poetry and Lausavísur which refer to their battles. 〔For the historiocity of the Jomsvikings and the ''Saga of the Jomsvikings''; for a discussion of different views on the subject, ''see'' Jones 127 at n.1. Jones regards the ''Saga'' as fictional, but finds arguments that the Jomsvikings themselves could not have existed unconvincing.〕 ==The Jomsviking code== 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 a feat of strength, often taking the form of a ritual duel, or ''holmgang'', with a Jomsviking. Once admitted, the Jomsvikings required adherence to a strict code of conduct in order to instill a sense of military discipline among its members. Any violation of these rules could be punished with immediate expulsion from the order. Each Jomsviking was bound to defend his brothers, as well as to avenge their deaths if necessary. He 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, though orderly retreat in the face of vastly outnumbering forces appears to have been acceptable. All spoils of battle were to be equally distributed among 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 were to be taken captive. It is unclear, however, whether members were forbidden marriage or liaisons with women outside the walls. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jomsvikings」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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