BERSERKER (from the "

See also:

• SARK

sark " or

See also:

• SHIRT

shirt of the "

See also:

• BEAR
• BEAR, BLACK
• BEAR, BROWN
• BEAR, GRIZZLY
• BEAR, ISABELLINE
• BEAR, WHITE

bear," or other

See also:

• ANIMAL
• ANIMAL (Lat. animalis, from anima, breath, soul)

animal-skins worn by them)  , in Scandinavian mythology, the name of the twelve sons of the hero Berserk, grandson of the eight-handed Starkadder and Alfhilde . Berserk was famed for the reckless fury with which he fought, always going into battle without armour . By the daughter of King Swafurlam, whom he had killed, he had the twelve sons who were his equals in bravery . In Old Norse the term berserker thus became synonymous with reckless courage, and was later applied to the bodyguards of several of the Scandinavian heroes .