Buscarl

/ˈbʌskɑːrl/ noun

Definition

Variant spelling of buscarle; a type of armed retainer or soldier in medieval Scandinavian or English service.

Etymology

From Old Norse 'búskarli' or Old English, combining elements meaning 'household' and 'man.' These warriors formed the personal armed bodyguards of nobles.

Kelly Says

The buscarl was the medieval equivalent of a SWAT team—elite soldiers who protected kings and nobles, and the famous Battle of Stamford Bridge (1066) featured buscarls defending England against the Norwegian king.

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