Space Wolves face painting?

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**Uhlan**

I consider the Space Wolves (sometimes derogatorily) Space Berserkers.

With that in mind, check out this link.

http://www.helium.com/items/81099-historical-facts-the-berserkers/print

Check out paragraphs 4 and 5 in particular.

**Uhlan**

Ssgt Carl wrote:
Uhlan wrote:I consider the Space Wolves (sometimes derogatorily) Space Berserkers.

With that in mind, check out this link.

http://www.helium.com/items/81099-historical-facts-the-berserkers/print

Check out paragraphs 4 and 5 in particular.

I would have to call that essay into question. I am by no means a Viking expert but, i don't know who Mark Fleming is nor could I find anything about him on the net (nothing on that site about him but his other essays were about Star Wars and Flash Fiction). Also, I saw no references or citations of any kind in the essay. The couple books I have read never spoke of 'paint' (as opposed to tattoos) but some those books, as with most history books, have been called into question by the authors. I don't know any scandanavian language and have only read translated sagas, but I haven't yet read about berserkers painting themselves (though I have read passages describing them, talking about wearing wolf pelts and bloody shields. This really only shows I have very little knowledge on the subject. Still, I get the impression that that paper on Helium isn't the most credible work.

I completely understand your misgivings, probably for the same reason that I hate seeing every Viking clad in a horned helmet. Even the word 'Viking' is bandied about to cover all the Norse when really it was an act or an occupation (ie: to go Viking). I think we could conclude that it's credible enough to use for a fictional universe where Space Vampires, Terminators from the Terminator movies and other hollywood themes exist ad infinitum. Hollywood trumps historical fact in the 40k universe anyway.