Hi all,

I'm in the process of writing an undergraduate thesis on the evolution of the Anglo-Saxon fyrd, and I'm thinking of looking at the Norwegian leidang as a possible point of contrast.

a) How do people think they rate as roughly comparable systems?
b) Can anyone recommend any English-language sources that discuss the leidang?

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people talk about Viking armies as if they were composed entirely of professional soldiers, and use that to argue that English armies must have also been professionals else they would have been unable to defend themselves. My sense is that Vikings raids were not generally carried out by professionals, but rather by farmers who raided in the off season. That's at least my sense from the mentions of warriors doing farm labor in Grettir's Saga, Gisli's Saga, and Egil's Saga. What do you guys think?

I'm also considering looking at the 1181 Assize of Arms that Henry II passed in England, which Wikipedia refers to as as return to the traditional English militia system. Does anyone know of better sources than Wikipedia that talk about this document?

Thanks!