Varangians. ‘Rus’. 9-10C. Norse conquerors of Russia, hence name.

Varèse, Edgard. 1883-1965. French composer of dissonant electronic music. Hyperprism 1923.

Vargas, Getúlio. 1883-1954. Dictatorial Brazilian president by revolution 1930-45, 51-. Modernization.

Varna, Battles. 1444 Ottoman Turks defeat Hungarians, expand to Balkans. 1828 Russians defeat Turks.

Varro, Marcus. 116-27BC. Prolific Roman scholar, satirist. 600 books. “Know thyself”.

Veronica, St. Legendary woman who gave kerchief to Christ at Calvary.

Vikings. Scandinavians who raided Europe 530-12C. Discovered Greenland, 982, North America, 10C. Norsemen. Varangians.

Welfs. 12C dynasty in Bavaria and Saxony defeated by Hohenstaufen. Guelfs.

Wittelsbach. Bavarian dynasty 1180-1918.