In the sixth century the
Lombards were contemporaneous to the Franks. It is notable that while the Franks converted to Christianity in 496 AD, their traditional fighting styles did not disappear in the following century.
In 553 AD, the Frankish army in Italy still included bare-chested fighters without chainmail or helmets as noted by Michael P. Spiedel. This has been linked to the continuation of Wōden worship amongst the largely Christianised Franks or the prevalence of cult customs associated with Wōden continuing after conversion.
The sixth century historian Procopius of Caesarea (c. 500-565) noted that, 'Though these barbarians have become Christians, they keep most of their old faith.' Similarly, the historian Agathias (c. 536-582) referred to Frankish warriors being mad and lacking self-control. The idea of mad warriors lacking self-control is associated with later Norse berserkers and wolf-skins, as noted by Snorri Sturluson in chapter 6 of
Ynglinga Saga as part of his
Heimskringla:
'His (Óðinn's) men rushed forward without armour, were as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or bulls. They slew men, but neither fire nor iron had any effect upon them. This is called berserkergang.'
A sixth century terracotta plaque discovered in Gresin, France, depicts Jesus as an elite warrior, hair bound up, wearing a necklace and strutting naked. This is an interesting example of the syncretisation process of Pagan and Christian iconography in the Germanic world, as kingship is associated with Wōden along with the position as king of the Gods.
Another notable example of this process is seen in the extensive version of
Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar as part of the
Flayteyarbók where Jesus is referred to as
Guðs berserkr ('God's berserker') in chapter 226:
Hann var Guðs berserkr, er hann ǫð í gegn ǫllum fjándum sínum ok ruddi þá af Guðs ríki.
'He (Jesus) was God's berserker, as he charged against all his enemies and swept them from God's kingdom.'
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“They said they had Cynocephali in their army, that is men with dog heads. And among their foes they spread the tale that these ‘Dog-Heads’ fought very fiercely and drank human blood”. Paulus Diaconus, Historia Langobardorum, 1.11.
Referring to the Germanic Langobards