Abstract EN:

The aim of this study is to establish that the tradition of "wild warriors" (French "guerriers-fauves") belonged to the historical reality of old Scandinavian society from the VIth to the XIth century. The term "guerrier-fauve" has been used some seventy years ago by Georges Dumézil to tranlate the old Norske berserkr (plural berserkir). In the medieval literature, this word describes a warrior endowed with an uncommon strength, especially feared for its irrepressible outburste of battle rage (berserksgangr). According to Snorri Sturluson, the behaviour of the berserkir must be related to the mythical powers attributed to the god Okin. The examination of old Norse sources, joined to the evidence of the archaeological materials, leads to link these warlike tradition with the religious beliefs of the ancient Nordic aristocracy. This thesis is dealing with etymological interpretation before investigating carefully the whole spectrum of old Norse sources (skaldic and eddic poetry, sagas, laws). A particular attention has been given to the critical review of Haraldskvœđi ("Song for Harald"), which must be seen as a primary source. These analysis results in an interpretation which differs to some extents from the stereotypical pattern displayed by the Icelandic literature (where berserkir are frequently depicted as outlaws) : even the oldest sagas have been written a long time after the events they are referring to. The early medieval Germanic iconography and the runic inscriptions are both providing a strong support to this conclusion : the tradition of the berserkir is intimately connected with the sacral kingship and the institution of warlord's retinue