Hirden Uniform
Uniform of the Hirden, the paramilitary wing of Norway’s fascist Nasjonal Samling party.
The Nasjonal Samling was a revolutionary nationalist party in pre-war Norway, founded by Vidkun Quisling. It collaborated with the German authorities during the occupation of Norway, undertaking security, administration and propaganda functions. The Hird (or Hirden), named after the medieval king’s guard (i.e., hearth-guard) in Scandinavian countries, was established as the armed paramilitary of the party. The name invoked the imagery of an ancient martial order, signaling organic hierarchy, honor and discipline as well as reinforcing a sense of historical continuity (and thus legitimacy). The rebirth of ancient national characteristics in modern forms is a principal tenet within fascist ideology, and is observable in the manner in which these paramilitary organizations chose to portray themselves.
Its founder, Vidkun Quisling, would later be charged with treason, with his name becoming a loanword for ‘traitor’ in Scandinavian countries. At his sentencing, he characterized the actions of the Nasjonal Samling and his Hirden as having been conducted in good faith and for the betterment of the nation:
“For me, politics is not a question of party interests, a career trajectory [levebrødspolitikk], or personal ambition and hunger for power. It is self-sacrifice and acts in the service of the historical development for the good of my own people, and for the promotion of the Kingdom of God on earth that Christ came to establish. If my actions have been treacherous—as they have been portrayed—then I wish to God for the sake of Norway that many of the sons of Norway become traitors like I am, only that they are not thrown into prison.”
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Uniform of the Hirden, the paramilitary wing of Norway’s fascist Nasjonal Samling party.
The Nasjonal Samling was a revolutionary nationalist party in pre-war Norway, founded by Vidkun Quisling. It collaborated with the German authorities during the occupation of Norway, undertaking security, administration and propaganda functions. The Hird (or Hirden), named after the medieval king’s guard (i.e., hearth-guard) in Scandinavian countries, was established as the armed paramilitary of the party. The name invoked the imagery of an ancient martial order, signaling organic hierarchy, honor and discipline as well as reinforcing a sense of historical continuity (and thus legitimacy). The rebirth of ancient national characteristics in modern forms is a principal tenet within fascist ideology, and is observable in the manner in which these paramilitary organizations chose to portray themselves.
Its founder, Vidkun Quisling, would later be charged with treason, with his name becoming a loanword for ‘traitor’ in Scandinavian countries. At his sentencing, he characterized the actions of the Nasjonal Samling and his Hirden as having been conducted in good faith and for the betterment of the nation:
“For me, politics is not a question of party interests, a career trajectory [levebrødspolitikk], or personal ambition and hunger for power. It is self-sacrifice and acts in the service of the historical development for the good of my own people, and for the promotion of the Kingdom of God on earth that Christ came to establish. If my actions have been treacherous—as they have been portrayed—then I wish to God for the sake of Norway that many of the sons of Norway become traitors like I am, only that they are not thrown into prison.”
