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Born from Nuclear Winter following World War III, Norsefire quickly became the ruling party of the United Kingdom. Although the United Kingdom did not suffer any nuclear attacks, the effects of full-scale nuclear war on other countries had severe effects on the environment, and thus on agriculture.

Quote1 Strength Through Purity, Purity Through Faith. Quote2
The Voice of Fatesrc

Norsefire was the ruling party in a post-World War III United Kingdom. It was actively opposed by the anarchist terrorist V.

History

Born from Nuclear Winter following World War III, Norsefire quickly became the ruling party of the United Kingdom. Although the United Kingdom did not suffer any nuclear attacks, the effects of full-scale nuclear war on other countries had severe effects on the environment, and thus on agriculture. This in its turn had a knock-on effect on the British economy, and mass riots broke out. The government quickly collapsed and chaos overran the country.

The situation quickly turned. From the madness of the violence came the Norsefire regime, a group of fascists that united with surviving large companies and businesses, giving them the appearance of wealth and stability. However, while the Norsefire regime did indeed bring order back to the country, this order came at a terrible cost.

Minorities such as black people, Indians, Chinese and Pakistanis were rounded up and sent to concentration camps. Other groups such as Jews, homosexuals and political leftists were also persecuted. With their potential enemies all removed within a short space of time, Norsefire began consolidating their power over the country. They began to sink their influence into the Church of England, promoting and demoting members of the clergy as they saw fit. They also took over the television companies, creating NTV (Norsefire Television), and implemented the technologies which would allow for a closely-monitored society, including closed circuit television cameras. It is shown, however, that they allowed the monarchy to continue their existence (although perhaps they only do so in the role of a figurehead).

Structure

The Head

The Head represented the highest authoritative body of Norsefire. Located in an underground facility, Leader Adam Susan could monitor the progress of all other detachments by way of a super-computer known as Fate. By the late 1990s however, the Head began to lose its authoritative control over the other sectors as Susan became more and more despondent and reclusive. The Chancellor operated in a fairly superficial capacity, regarded more as a figurehead than an actual leader. Peter Creedy of the Finger recognized Susan's apathy and began to slowly subvert power from the Leader's domain. Armed with his secret police, Creedy eventually became the true puppeteer behind the Head. The Head's main base of operations is located at 10 Downing St (the real life address of the Prime Minister of England's office and residence). Near the end of the comic, Evey, in the guise of V (who is at this point dead), uses V's "Viking Funneral" train to destroy the Head, putting an end to Norsefire's regieme.

The Finger

The Finger functioned as Norsefire's Gestapo. Led by director Derek Almond and later Peter Creedy, the Fingermen patrolled the streets of London, enforcing curfew and making sure that the general populace rigidly followed all rules of law.

The Mouth

The Mouth was Norsefire's propaganda division headed by Roger Dascombe. The Mouth's headquarters was at Jordan Tower, it was mainly charged with running the television networks and put a spin on news to scare the public in submission and conformity. Shows absorbed by the Mouth were those of Gordon Deitrich and Lewis Prothero. Eventually the Mouth was destroyed when V destroyed it with a bomb.

The Eye

The Eye was the visual surveillance division of Norsefire. The Eye was lead by Conrad Heyer. The Eye's headquarters was at Jordan Tower along with that of the Mouth. The Eye was mainly dispatched to work alongside the Ear so that senior departments like the Head and the Finger could maintain their grip on power and the people of Britain. Eventually the Eye was destroyed when V destroyed it with a bomb.

The Ear

The Ear was the audio surveillance division of Norsefire, it was lead by Brian Etheridge. The Ear's headquarters was at the London post office. The Ear was dispatched to work alongside The Eye in the Chancellor's quest for power and to hold his grip over the public. Eventually the Ear was destroyed when V destroyed it with a bomb.

The Nose

The Nose was the Investigational division and New Scotland Yard. It mainly consisted of the rebranded police force which was headed by Chief Inspector Eric Finch. The Nose was charged with finding criminals such as V, however as the investigation was more personal to the Chancellor he ordered the Finger to take superior control of the investigation

Paraphernalia

Equipment: Fate Computer, Interlink, Surveillance cameras, Surveillance audio feeds,
Transportation: Limousine (Adam Susan), Norsefire Communication Vans (Ears), Police Cars (Nose)
Weapons: Firearms

Notes

  • The concept of Norsefire was created by writer Alan Moore and artist David Lloyd. It is exclusive to the continuity of the V for Vendetta comic strip and does not exist within the environment of the mainstream DC Universe.

Trivia

  • A common recurring motto is "Strength Through Purity, Purity Through Faith" (or in the movie, "Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Faith".) This could well have been inspired by the Motto of Ingsoc in George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength". Another maxim would be "England Prevails" which could be a take on Nazi greeting, "Sieg Heil", which literally means "For the Win"/"Hail Victory".
  • In the movie, the symbol of the Norsefire party resembles the Croix de Lorraine, the heraldic symbol of the province of Lorraine in France, which was adopted as the official symbol of General Charles de Gaulle's Free French Forces between 1940 and 1944. It was later used for various Gaullist political parties in France, notably the RPR (Rally for the Republic). It would also be believed to be a cross between the St. George's Cross and the Nordic Cross Flag.

See Also

Links

  • None.

Footnotes

V 001
V for Vendetta
This article is exclusive to the continuity of the V for Vendetta comic book series, or the V for Vendetta movie.
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