Duties of a Styrsman

Directly quoted from the "Duties of a Styrsman" of the Jomsvikings.

The Styrsman's first responsibility is to co-ordinate his warriors' actions in line with the orders of the Jarl and Council of Jomsvikings.

The Styrsman should ensure that all Drengr within his Chapter of the Jomsborgelag are trained to the correct level, including arranging training sessions at least once a week out of season.

The Styrsman should ensure that his warriors train safely, and understand the level and amount of equipment they need for training, battle and campaign.

The Styrsman should ensure that all Drengr have the correct level of authentic equipment by the end of their 1st season, this being:

All kit must be authentic and representative of the period.

The Styrsman should have regular meetings with his Chapter; to foster a feeling of community and team spirit. This should be separate from the training sessions. The meetings should allow any Dreng to voice concerns, suggestions etc and also for them to discuss any problems.

The Styrsman should actively seek out new recruits in order to increase the size of the Jomsborgelag, whilst maintaining its integrity. Quality is better than quantity but there needs to be new blood.

The Styrsman should actively encourage and help any Dreng who wishes to research or discuss anything relating to the Vikings or cultures they came into contact with. If the Styrsman has insufficient knowledge, he should put the Dreng in touch with the right people and also seek to further his own knowledge of the subject. The Styrsman should seek to inspire his men to get the most from being a member of Jomsborgelag.

If there is a dispute amongst two or more of his Drengr, the Styrsman must try and resolve the dispute. If he cannot he must then take the dispute before the Jarl for resolution. If one of his Drengr has a dispute with a Dreng who belongs to a different Jomsborgelag Chapter, the Styrsman should attempt to resolve the dispute in association with the Styrsman of said Chapter. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached then they must take it before the Jarl to be resolved. If there is a dispute between a Dreng and a Jomsviking, the Styrsman must take the dispute before the Jarl for resolution, immediately. A Styrsman cannot resolve a dispute involving a Jomsviking.

All Styrsmen should realise that they have a level of authority that has been granted them by the Jarl, more than this; they have a massive responsibility; a responsibility to the Council & Jarl, a responsibility to the Jomsborgelag and a responsibility to the Jomsvikings.

Every Styrsman should be fully conversant with the Jomsborgelag Constitution, the Responsibilities of a Styrsman and the Structure of the Army of Jomsborg.

At the beginning of each year in January, each Styrsman shall submit (to the Jomsborgelag Secretary) a written report on the achievements of the previous season and the plans for the next season. These will be presented before the Council of Jomsvikings.

The Styrsman must set a standard for his men; they must look to him and see that he is totally enthusiastic and supportive, that he is leading by example. He should strive to have the best equipment possible, to fight as well as possible, and to show his ability both on and off the battlefield.

The Styrsman is an ambassador for the Jomsborgelag and he should behave appropriately at all times. This does not mean not having fun, or stopping others from having fun. What it means is that the Styrsman must prevent something that will reflect badly on the organisation. In certain circumstances it can also mean that the Styrsman must defend his men.

The Styrsman must also impress on his men that they are also ambassadors for us all.

On campaign it is the Styrsman's responsibility to ensure that the men are cared for, their training, their sleeping, eating and any other thing that is required. The responsibility for this is NOT with the Jarl or the Council nor is it with the Jomsvikings. If the Styrsman sorts this out then there will be a reduction of people wandering around aimlessly asking stupid questions. Following a meeting with the Jomsborgelag Co-ordinator (or duly appointed deputy) he must then brief his men.

The following are some of the issues which the Styrsman will require information about from the Jomsborgelag Co-ordinator:

  1. What area of the camp should he erect his tents?
  2. What are the arrangements for meals e.g. timings, location, cost and special dietary arrangements? Also where is there a supply of clean water?
  3. What are the arrangements for camp fires and fuel?
  4. What are the sanitary arrangements? Where can I get a shower?
  5. What times are briefings taking place and where? It is imperative that Styrsmen ensure that their Drengr attend all briefings, as required, and are not late.

On the battlefield the Styrsman will probably command his Chapter. He should be confident when line fighting and also show fighting. It is also possible that command of his Chapter may be given to someone else; he must understand that this may be due to tactical requirements.