BttDrrhchm #15 Battle of Dyrrhachium

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dyrrhachium_(1081)" - of the Norman right. With their massive battle axes, the Varangians Th e Varan gian guard. attacked the Norman knights, who were driven away after their horses panicked. The Varangians soon became separated from the main force and exhausted so they were in no position to resist an assault. Guiscard sent a strong force of spearmen and crossbowmen against the Varangian flank and inflicted heavy casualties on them. The few remaining Varangians fled into the church of the Archangel Michael. The Normans immediately set the church on fire, and all Varangians [23] perished in the blaze. Meanwhile, George Palaeologus sortied out of Dyrrhachium, but failed to save the situation. Worse, Alexius's vassal, King Constantine Bodin of Duklja, betrayed him. The Turks who had been lent to him by the