A
Hersir was a local
Viking military commander of a
hundred (a county subdivision) of about 100 men and owed allegiance to a
jarl or king. They were also aspiring landowners, and, like the
middle class in many
feudal societies, supported the
kings in their
centralization of power. Originally, the term Hersir referred to a wealthy farmer who owned land and had the status of a leader. Throughout the
Viking Age, Hersir was eventually redefined as someone who organized and led raids. In the 10th century, the influence of Hersirs began to decrease due to the development of effective national
monarchies in
Scandinavia. Hersir was again redefined later on, to mean a local leader or representative. The independence of the Hersir as a military leader eventually vanished, to be replaced only by the title of a royal representative. The "
Hávamál", which was the mythical advice of the supreme creator
Odin to mankind, contains a number of verses emphasizing the virtue of cautious consideration and strategical attack. This theme, in its oral form, was one of the major influences on the mind of the Viking Hersir.
