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.
In the 10th century, the influence of Hersirs began to decrease due to the development of effective national monarchies in Scandinavia.
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 humankind, contains a number of verses emphasizing the virtue of cautious consideration and strategical attack.
The material of the hilt ranged, depending on the wealth of the owner, from polished steel and with decorative wire inlays of silver, copper, and/or tin.
For overseas journeys, Viking longboats were capable of transporting thirty people to their destination, which would even include the reaches of inner Russia.
[5] The type of helmet, sword, and ringmail corselet worn by the Viking, demonstrated the wealth of the warrior.
Baggy trousers made out of linen or woven wool that were either mid-calf or just below the knee were the typically worn.
A richer Hersir would have had a tunic dyed in a bright color with tablet woven strips around the neck and cuffs.
[citation needed] Hersir was the name of a man in Rígsþula whose daughter Erna married Jarl, the first earl.
Only his father Grímur is mentioned in Bjorns lineage that continues to grandmother Hervör and great-grandmother Thorgerdur Eylaugsdóttir hersir.