sentences:  Ordinarily, they would align themselves in a shield wall formation with the Hersir at the front and archers and slingers in the back.In the shield wall, the Vikings would stand close together in order to overlap their shields, thus creating a wall out of shields.Another formation that was also used, called the "Svinfylking", was a variation to the shield wall but with several wedge-like formations pointing towards the enemy, creating a zig-zag pattern.