When Eric I of Denmark travelled to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, the king stopped at Constantinople to rest & acquire ships for the last leg of the journey. However, the men guarding the Theodosian Walls refused him entry.
Alexios Komnenos, having admitted many Danes into the Varangian Guard, feared that the Guards’ excitement at the visit of the ruler of their homeland would lead to them pressuring him to accept any outlandish request of the Danish king.
Hoping to prevent this, Alexios allowed the men to exit the city and greet their king in small groups to prevent the passions of a mob from taking over. Eric greeted his fellow countrymen warmly, telling them to serve Alexios bravery.
Eric also chastised them to “lead a sober life & not indulge in drunkenness.” The Varangian’s reputation as hard-drinking & pleasure-seeking men of fortune must have been known to Eric & he may have been embarrassed by the stereotype of Danes they were making in Constantinople!
Conversely, Alexios may have seen the rambunctious conduct of his Danish Varangians & though their king would be a nightmare of a guest! After his scolding of the Danes, Alexios, thankful, invited Eric into the capital as his guest.
Alexios & Eric got along well. Alexios had a full size painting of Eric made. Alexios gifted Eric a piece of the True Cross & a piece of Saint Nicholas’s bones. King Eric sent them back home immediately. Soon Alexios gave Eric some ships & food to complete his Pilgrimage.
Unfortunately, Eric died en route on Cyprus. But the joyous reunion with his countrymen in far-off Constantinople, his friendship with Alexios, & fatherly chastising of the rowdy Varangians survive in Saxo’s Gesta Danorum.
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