Kelly DeVries

Cited In:

  • DeVries, Kelly. The Norwegian Invasion of England in 1066. Woodbridge, Suffolk; Rochester, NY: Boydell Press, 1999.
  • “Medieval Mercenaries: Methodology, Definitions, and Problems.” in John France, ed., Mercenaries and Paid Men: The Mercenary Identity in the Middle Ages. Proceedings of a Conference held at University of Wales, Swansea, 7th-9th July 2005, 43-60. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2008.

Used For:

  • DeVries provides useful details on Harald Hardrada who is one of the most interesting case studies of a Viking mercenary. In addition to that, he is also another mercenary turned king. This monograph is largely important for its military details and biographical information. He also takes a crack at defining the medieval mercenary himself. DeVries brings forth several interesting critiques of the classic definition by arguing about the definition of payment and whether a mercenary band’s true ethnicity could ever be accurately verified. In addition to that, he also argues for a more fluid definition as he believes the current one fails to meet the needs of medieval historians.