xdj1nn said:
Their superiority compared to anglo-saxons, which used military systems akin to the rest of Europe.
1. Anglo-saxons used primarly same tactics (in fact we do know about most of the battles of pre hastings viking invasions from their side (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle). They fought in virtually simillar fashion, maybe with an exception of being less mobile (less ships) and owning more burhs.
2. Anglo-saxons recorded many victories against Vikings. Is this supposed to be an example of some mastery of viking warriors?
While in desert areas and Asia there was a trend on mounted-archery, in the Medieval European world it was mostly about infantry (only changing with the creation of stirrups, which allowed for more efficient cavalry that could fight way more effectively on horse-back, giving room for the knight age).
Stirrups were not invented in Europe, they were brought by Huns (5th cent). Later on German tribes forced to join their confederation adopted them, and from them, rest of germanic people. And than they conquered most of Europe anyway so by the time Awars invaded, stirrups were already widespread.
Given that I've seen some more recent studies about Viking fighting style, which in fact originated wrestling,
Again. We know nothing of Viking fighting style. They are all just assumptions, dude.
We do however know that ancient Greeks loved wrestling. Ages before term Viking was coined.
and how they've used their weapons (being the Shield the main weapon for them), they'd use locks and wrestling logic in their fighting,
Allegedly. No confirmed source.
my guess is that's what ended up originating sword binding techniques, because at that time (viking era) they'd use shield-bindings and take such locks to their advantage.
I'd say your guess is as good as anyone's.
They've invaded almost all of Europe (the Germanic people),
Whooaaa?
We count germanic ppl as Vikings now? Did you just not say that they beat the crap out of anglo-saxon? As in germanic tribes that took over most of Britain?
and were favored by even the Romans before that for Armies.
They were not favoured. Initially only roman citzens could serve as legionaires, rest as auxilia. And germanic tribes were valued greatly, but so were many other populations. Later on non-citzens were allowed into legions and yeah, germanic tribesman filled the ranks. They volountereed, noone favoured them over any1 else.
Unless you refer to Equites Singulares Augusti (emperor bodyguards after Trajan). But they were not line unit.
It's kind of obvious that they had the upper-hand/superior techniques,
Who?
Germanic tribes?
Vikings?
Scandinavians?
Can we please pick a term and stick to it?
much of that I'd give credit towards their warring culture...
Can you provide 5 examples of NOT WARRING barbaric cultures?
Not the mention how Vikings were recruited into certain kingdoms, IE: France, and obviously started teaching their knowledge to locals over time...
Rather other way around.
When Willhelm the Conqueror won at Hastings he did it mainly with heavy cav. Frankish style. He spoke Frankish, he dressed frankish, he ate like a Frank. Basically he was a Frank.
BTW: Franks (or French) are also germanic tribe. So yeah, according to you they started teaching their knowledge to ... themselves...
So, "Just what on earth could lead you to make such a statement?" sh*tloads of studies regarding the subject lead me to such a statement.
Please, reveal them.
To my knowledge there is no data on any viking martial arts. Just speculations.
Add to that the fact that people are not completely stupid, so they'd obviously start to learn the superior techniques for their own sake.
Of course they did.
Just as Anglo-Saxons did. Or Franks. Or Slavs. Or ... any1 really.
Fighting in shield wall is not rocket since though. You do not need fancy techniques of modern BJJ.
Oh, btw, they were the core and origin of the Varangian Guard which's regarded as one of the most elite warriors in Medieval Times... So yeah...
So you pick elites of elites who served as mercenary and you just assume, that whole nations were as good? I do not get this example. There were many slavs serving in arabic califates as elite warriors. What does it mean?
Only that some of them reach high profficency in melee fighting. Nothing else.
If you search hard enough you all can find people who are dedicated into studying their fighting styles... Most of the time you are going to find clueless fools though, people who don't even understand martial arts at all...
That's not how history works.