During the reign of Manuel Komnenos (1143-1180) a Norwegian by the name of Earl Rognvaldr visited Constantinople. Intriguingly Manuel was referred to as Menelaus in the Old Norse account:
“When Earl Rognvaldr and his men came to Mikligard (Constantinople), they had a hearty welcome from the emperor and the Varangians. Menelaus was then emperor over Mikligard, whom we call Manuel; he gave the earl much money, and offered them tribute if they would remain there. They stayed there awhile that winter in very good cheer. Eindridi the young was there, and he had very great honour from the emperor. He had little to do with Earl Rognvaldr and his men, and rather tried to set other men against them.”
It is interesting to note that there seems to have been some antagonism from the existing Varangians towards the newcomers, perhaps eager to protect their own standing.
Source - The Varangians: In God’s Holy Fire by Sverrir Jakobsson
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