Modern Berserkers (1600 and up)

In the days of the warrior Vikings, leading the clans into battle were a special breed of warriors, called "Berserkers".... The berserkir (singular berserkr), mentioned in the Vatnsdæla saga, Haraldskvæði and the Völsunga saga, were said to wear the pelt of a wolf when they entered battle. Berserkir are sometimes described as Odin's special warriors: "[Odin's] men went without their mailcoats and were mad as hounds or wolves, bit their shields...they slew men, but neither fire nor iron had effect upon them. This is called 'going berserk'."