[SunkenCiv]

Also, those who went on the Vik were not necessarily the creme de la creme -- any cutthroat who could make himself understood and liked the action would wind up in the crew.

• Genetic study reveals 30% of white British DNA has German ancestry [03/19/2015]

[Grimmy]

The German ancestry might also be from the Saxons.

Those were a Germanic tribe.

[Bull Snipe]

any cutthroat who could make himself understood and liked the action would wind up in the crew.

Ships, like the gallows, refuse no man.

[SunkenCiv]

More about the polyglot nature of the Guard:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varangian_Guard