housecarl

American  

[hous-kahrl] / ˈhaʊsˌkɑrl /

noun

1. a member of the household troops or bodyguard of a Danish or early English king or noble.

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housecarl British  

/ ˈhaʊsˌkɑːl /

noun

1. (in medieval Europe) a household warrior of Danish kings and noblemen

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Etymology

Origin of housecarl

before 1050; Middle English; late Old English hūscarl < Danish hūskarl. See house, carl

Example Sentences

But it did not seem right to me that an atheling of Wessex should be alone, without so much as a housecarl to tend him and stand at his back at need.

From A King's Comrade A Story of Old Hereford by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

I will only say that the life was pleasant enough, if idle, as a housecarl, and that I saw Havelok every day at one time or another, which was all that I could wish.

From Havelok the Dane A Legend of Old Grimsby and Lincoln by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

"Now is East Anglia mine in truth," he said; and with that he bade the housecarl fetch Curan, the cook's porter, to him.

From Havelok the Dane A Legend of Old Grimsby and Lincoln by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

Good it has been to have you here; and I think that I shall see you as a housecarl for good yet.

From Havelok the Dane A Legend of Old Grimsby and Lincoln by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

So said Dudda, the rough housecarl; and it is in my mind that the kindly remembrance would have wiped out many a thought of wrong, had there been any.

From King Alfred's Viking A Story of the First English Fleet by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)