"Vikings" - Ragnar Lothbrok, like a native

Legendary biography

There are no reliable sources confirming the existence of Ragnar. Basically, the details of his life and activities are known from the Scandinavian sagas, which tell how Ragnar traded in raids and sea robbery. It is believed that the historical Ragnar (if there was one) was active in the first half of the 9th century and was one of the most influential military leaders in Denmark. He was probably the son of Sigurd the Ring. The nickname is associated with the legend that Ragnar wore special leather pants, sewn by his wife Lagertha and acting as an amulet. According to another version, as a child, he accidentally ended up in a snake’s den and survived thanks to tough leather pants.

The most important events attributed to Ragnar are the attack on the territory of modern France and the capture of Paris in 845, as well as the attack on Northumbria in 865. During the campaign against Paris, he allegedly led a squadron of 120 ships with 5,000 warriors that ascended the Seine River. The city was captured by the Vikings, and the West Frankish king Charles II the Bald, in order to protect Paris from destruction, paid a huge ransom of 7,000 pounds of silver. Although Ragnar kept his word and left Paris without significant destruction, on his way back through northern France he plundered every area he crossed. It is believed that the capture of Paris by Lodbrok took place on Easter (March 28), 845[2]. In 865, during an expedition to Britain, Ragnar's ship ran aground in Northumbria, northern England. His army was defeated, he himself was captured and, by order of King Ella II, was thrown into a pit with poisonous snakes, where he died a painful death.

According to the sagas, the numerous sons of Ragnar (Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside and others) invaded England in 867, avenged the death of their father and marked the beginning of the Danish conquest of the island. The sons of Ragnar captured and then executed King Ella, who died in cruel torture. The kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia were sacked. In the end, Ragnar's descendants were stopped by Alfred of Wessex, defeating their army in 878.

Blood feud

The pagans invaded Northumbria on November 1, 866.
An army of about 10 thousand people was led by the leader of the Danish Vikings, Ivar. For Christians, it was All Saints' Day - a date when they traditionally forgot about weapons and peacefully attended church. The Vikings took them by surprise. In addition, disputes among the nobility also played a role. Until the last day, the Northumbrian lords did not take any serious measures to protect the fatherland, hoping that the thunderstorm would pass them and fall on neighboring Mercia. As a result, the Anglo-Saxons were unable to provide any serious resistance. Both kings fled hastily. Ivar, along with his brothers and army, entered York. The city, once founded by the Romans, fell to the Danes for a century. There the Vikings spent the winter, repairing the destroyed fortifications and preparing for a new confrontation with the Christians.

By the following spring (867), the exiles Osbert and Ella had finally made peace and decided to act together. They attacked York on March 23, Palm Sunday. Surprise guaranteed the Anglo-Saxons their first success. It seemed that the opponents had switched roles. Now the Vikings, pressed by their enemies, were on the verge of defeat. However, the army of the two kings fell into a trap. She broke through gaps in the walls into York and found herself surrounded by an even larger crowd of Vikings.

The formidable warrior Ivar was not only a wonderful warrior. In difficult times, he could use tactical cunning and defeat the enemy with his own mind. The Anglo-Saxons were defeated. Ella and Osbert paid with their lives. Separately, it is worth noting the death of the killer Ragnar. Ella was brought to Ivar and, in front of a public thirsty for revenge, she was subjected to a sophisticated pagan execution - the “blood eagle”. The victim's chest was ripped open, his lungs were torn out, and “wings” were cut out on his back. "Bloody Eagle" was dedicated to Odin. The pagans thanked their god of war for an important and memorable victory.

Family

Execution of Ragnar Lothbrok
He was married three times, had many legitimate children and illegitimate children from his concubines:

• from his first marriage to Lagertha (Hlaðgerðr)[3]: son Fridleif
• two daughters whose names are unknown

Each of the sons was the owner of his own inheritance and bore the title of king.

War with Mercia

Having become the de facto master of Northumbria, the cunning Ivar Ragnarsson refused to take the throne. He made his puppet Egbert king. Information about this person is fragmentary. Most likely, he belonged to the Anglo-Saxon nobility, while having nothing in common with the previous royal dynasty. Egbert obeyed the Vikings in everything and gave passage to their troops during subsequent campaigns.

Now it's Mercia's turn. It was there that Ivar the Boneless moved with his army. King Burgred began hastily seeking help in Wessex. Meanwhile, the Vikings stopped at the walls of Nottingham, where they set up a temporary camp. Finally, the army of King Ethelred of Wessex came to the rescue of Burgred's army. However, the new union, just like the previous one, could not do anything with the outsiders. The Anglo-Saxons tried to take the Viking camp by storm, but this attempt failed.

Ragnar's son Ivar the Boneless achieved his goal. Mercia paid a large indemnity to the pagans, after which they left. This time Ivar used his father's favorite tactic - intimidation. He agreed to be peaceful, but in exchange for this he demanded large ransoms. In 869 the Danes returned to York.

In contemporary art

In literature

• Ragnar Lothbrok is one of the characters in Harry Harrison's book The Hammer and the Cross;
• Ragnar Lothbrok is one of the characters in Jack London's book "The Interstellar Wanderer";
• Ragnar Lothbrok is one of the characters in Edison Marshall's book Viking;
• Ragnar Lothbrok is one of the characters in Maria Semyonova’s story “Two Kings”, “The Sign of the Falcon”; mentioned in the book "Swan Road";
• Ragnar Lothbrok is one of the characters in Alexander Mazin’s Viking series.

To the cinema

• In the film "Vikings" (1958), American actor Ernest Borgnine plays King Ragnar.
• In the TV series “Vikings” (2013-2017), Australian actor Travis Fimmel plays Ragnar.

Ivar the Boneless: why exactly the Boneless

The first scientifically based medical version was put forward in 1949. Danish specialist Knut Seedorf suggested that Ivar was almost disabled. And he was carried into battle on a shield (the sagas mention this).

Ivar the Boneless - the story of Nabil Shaban

But perhaps the most genuine interest in Ivar’s personality was shown by the British writer Nabil Shaban, who in 2003 created the documentary “The Strangest Viking.” Shaban himself suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, and Nabil explored the version of the “crystal man” disease in his film.

According to research conducted by Shaban, experts periodically inquired about Ivar's personality. In 1978, this Viking's illness was mentioned in one of the medical journals. In 1957, Knut Hatteland undertook a small study. He studied several Norwegian families whose members suffered from this disease (Ivar's mother came from Norway). As a result, Hatteland announced that Ivar was quite possibly the first Scandinavian known to science to suffer from osteogenesis imperfecta.

Shaban himself writes, based on information from ancient sources, that Ivar was wise beyond his years. He had incredible arm strength and could shoot a bow with ease. After launching a successful campaign in England, he unexpectedly left Albion and settled in Dublin, where he died a few years later.

Of course, today we cannot count on serious evidence in favor of one version or another. Sources from that period are unreliable, and there are not many of them. A couple of Icelandic sagas, snippets of information from the Annals of Ulster, the Life of King Alfred by the monk Asser, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The last three were also written by those who opposed the Vikings.

For example, sources simply catastrophically disagree on the dating of Ivar’s birth. They are called 845, 794 and even 787. According to the third version, it turns out that when he invaded England, he was almost 80 years old!

Of course, all this is implausible. Especially considering the fact that Ivar the Boneless (Wikipedia) was disabled. This is if we accept the medical version of the origin of his nickname. Experts say that there were several Ivars - hence the confusion in the chronicles. Or rather, not in the chronicles, but in the heads of those who read them.

Ivar the Boneless: Viking Children

At the same time, it is still not clear whether Ivar the Boneless left offspring or not. The Strand of the Sons of Ragnar says: “He had no children because he was so hot-tempered that he found neither passion nor love; but he had no want of wisdom or cruelty; and he died of old age in England, and was buried in a mound” (Count of the Sons of Ragnar, IV). However, the Annals of Ulster report that many of the kings of Dublin trace their ancestry to Ivar.

Ivar the Boneless: fact or fiction

The story of Ivar is so bogged down in legend that only unique archaeological discoveries would help to figure it out. Or a genetic study of the remains of the famous Danish Viking. But one can hardly count on this. The last myth is associated with the desecration of Ivar's memory. As told in the Saga of Ragnar and His Sons (recorded in the 13th century), before he died, Ivar bequeathed that his bones would protect the country from any attack from the outside. Therefore, when William the Conqueror invaded Britain, the first thing he did was excavate the mound where, according to legend, a Danish Viking lay, and set it on fire. Here is what is said about this in “The Saga of Ragnar and His Sons” (translation by Timofey Ermolaev):

“Ivar ruled in England until his death and died of illness. And when he lay dying, he ordered that he be carried to where the most vulnerable place was, and said that he hoped that those who would come into the country in that place would not win. When he died, they did as he prescribed and laid him in a mound.

And many people say that when King Harald the son of Sigurd came to England, he landed where Ivar lay, and he fell in this campaign. And when Vilhjalm the Bastard came to the country, he dug up Ivar’s mound and saw Ivar incorrupt. Then he ordered to build a large fire and burn Ivar in it. And after that he fought for the country and succeeded” (The Saga of Ragnar and His Sons, XVIII).

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Ivar on the battlefield

Contemporaries and descendants considered Ivar a berserker. This was the name given to the most furious Viking warriors who were insensitive to wounds and pain. It was difficult to find a better comrade in battle. The roar with which he rushed at the enemy instilled terror in the enemy, and his reputation as a merciless enemy inspired even more horror. The way of life of berserkers was surrounded by a veil of secrecy. It was said about these warriors that they could uproot trees, swallow hot coals and cut a man with one blow of their sharp axe.

Ivar entered the battlefield under the banner of his father Ragnar. This painting depicted a symbol common among the Vikings - a black carrion raven. This sign was necessary both to strengthen the spirit of comrades and to intimidate enemies. Ivar's Viking army often used "shield wall" tactics. A similar technique was common among the Romans with their famous “turtle”. The warriors lined up in a circle and placed their shields together. The result was a movable fortification. It was a concentration point and a protective barrier.

Notes

1. A. Ya. Gurevich.
   Viking campaigns. - M.: Nauka, 1966.
2. Grammar Saxo
   Acts of the Danes. Volume 1. Page 210 {9.4.22} and {9.4.23}
3. Kendrick, 2004, p. 204 152.
4. Elton Oliver, FY Powell.
   The first nine books of the Danish history of Saxo Grammaticus. - Ripol Classic, 1984. - P. 364. - 435 p. — ISBN 5875747412.
5. Strand about the sons of Ragnar (Russian). Northern Glory. — translation by N. Potanin. Date of access: March 24, 2020.

Death and the fate of the grave

According to medieval sources, Ivar died in 873. The circumstances of his death remain unknown. Even if the military leader died in Ireland, he definitely bequeathed to be buried in his new homeland - in Northumbria. The fate of Ivar's body remained a mystery for a long time. It was only in the 17th century that a farmer from the town of Repton came across an ancient burial place, which scientists later identified as the grave of the famous Viking.

The Scandinavian sagas have preserved an interesting legend about the relics of Ivar. The pagan wanted to be buried in Northumbria, believing that his grave would help the Danes defeat all sorts of opponents. When King Harald invaded England, he was truly defeated and was unable to conquer the country. Knowing about the curse that exuded Ivar's mound, William the Conqueror, who sailed to Britain in the middle of the 11th century, first excavated the grave. After this ritual, the Norman managed to conquer all of England. It’s impossible to say for sure whether this is true or a myth. Nevertheless, Ivar deservedly became the hero of many medieval legends. The history of Denmark knows few such amazing and brilliant military leaders.

TV series "Vikings"

Perhaps the most popular on-screen incarnation of Ragnar Lothbrok is Michael Hirst's Vikings on the History Channel. Ragnar Lothbrok is the main character of the series (his role was played by Australian actor Travis Fimmel). In the first season, viewers are introduced to an ambitious and intelligent Viking, and at the end of the series, Ragnar is already the king of all Denmark and the menace of the French and British kings. However, according to Danish sources written by Saxo Grammaticus in the 11th century, Ragnar Lothbrok was the son of Sigurd the Ring, king of Denmark and Sweden. So, in reality, Ragnar became king at the age of 15 - his father chose him as governor.

Ragnar's story was adapted and changed for broadcast. For example, in the series, Ragnar has only two wives - Lagertha and Aslaug, and besides, in the series, Ragnar has significantly fewer children than he actually had. Also in the series, a lot of attention is paid to his wife Lagertha, who was also a warrior - such women participated in battle along with the Vikings.

Writer and showrunner Michael Hirst also detailed Ragnar's early conquests - he studied the Norse sagas and other sources, but, like any series, came up with several characters who influenced the course of history in the series (although the story does not say anything about, for example, the monk Æthelstan, to whom Ragnar was very attached). The creators of the series also played on the theme of religion. It is known that Ragnar was a pagan, but in the 9th century Christianity had already penetrated into many territories as an official religion, and Ragnar went on campaigns against France and England, which were already Christian at that time. Hearst beat the gap in the annals when Ragnar is not mentioned at all

At this time, the hero Ragnar was “sent” on a journey, and attention was paid to his growing sons, about whom the people of Denmark and Sweden also wrote their own saga

The death of Ragnar in the series is an important transitional event; it marked the transfer of power in Denmark and the ascension of his son Bjorn Ironside to the throne

Ragnar Lothbrok and Aslaug

The History Channel's portrayal of Aslug, also known as Kraka and Randalin, is more accurate compared to some of the other characters in the series.

According to the Volsunga Saga, Aslaug, the third wife of Ragnar Lothbrok, was the daughter of the legendary Norse hero Sigurd and the shield-maiden Brynhildra.

When her parents, her mother's adoptive father, died, Hymer thought it would be dangerous if anyone knew who Eslog really was. He made a large harp and carried Aslaug in it while he wandered around pretending to be a harpist. This continued until one day Ragnar Lothbrok's men discovered her while she was bathing.

Mesmerized by Aslug's beauty, Ragnar's men forgot about the bread they were baking and they had to tell Ragnar about her when Ragnar asked what happened.

Ragnar sent his men to bring Aslug to him. Wanting to make sure that she was not only beautiful, but also smart, Ragnar conducted some kind of test with her. Eslaug managed to impress him, and Ragnar asked for her hand in marriage. At this moment, Ragnar had no idea that she was the daughter of two legendary Viking heroes.

When Ragnar visited Eysteinn Beli, Viceroy of Sweden, Eysteinn convinced him to marry his daughter Ingeborg instead of Aslug. However, the birds had already informed Aslaug (who had been told that he had "powers") that Ragnar had changed his heart, and so she had to tell him the truth about her true identity.

Aslaug told Ragnar Lothbrok that she was the daughter of the shieldmaiden Brynhild and the legendary Viking Sigurd, who slew the dragon Fafnir (or the serpent) according to myth.

She told Ragnar that she would give him a child with a dragon/snake in its eye to convince him of her heritage. She succeeded as this became a reality when she eventually gave birth to Sigurd the serpent in the eye, who was born with the mark of ouroboros in his left eye.

According to legend, Aslaug also tried to warn Ragnar Lothbrok when he decided to sail to England for the last time. This was sort of depicted in the History Channel's Vikings, when Aslaug saw visions of Ragnar and Ivar falling into the sea.

On the other hand, Aslaug, known as the sorceress, supposedly enchanted Ragnar's armor, and this is why the snakes in King Aelle's pit could not kill Ragnar Lothbrok until his men removed Ragnar's armor.

Sons of Ragnar - briefly

1. Ragnar Lothbrok is a legendary Danish king of the Viking Age. Whether he actually existed or not, no one still knows.
2. According to legend, like Ragnar Lothbrok himself, his sons played a large role in the history of medieval Scandinavia. The capture of Paris, the beginning of conquests in England, long journeys and discoveries, the founding of many noble families.
3. We learn about Ragnar, his wives, sons and campaigns from the Scandinavian sagas. Most of them were written in the 13-14th century, which is as much as 400 years later than the events described in them. Therefore, it is not known whether Ragnar Lothbrok existed in reality, like his sons. Most of the characters may have been fictitious, and the deeds and their descriptions may have been rewritten and exaggerated.
4. According to the sagas, Ragnar Lothbrok had three wives, many concubines, eleven sons and three daughters.

Hello, dear reader. Thank you very much for taking the time to write my diary. My name is Gavrilov Kirill. I am passionate about the history, mythology and culture of medieval Scandinavia, and this is my “Nordic Diary” - Freinheim. In this post I will introduce you to the children of Ragnar Lothbrok.

The series “Vikings” has been fueling interest in the history and culture of medieval Scandinavia for five seasons already, starting in 2013. Many fans of the series begin to read ancient sagas and ancient myths.

Today I will tell you about the sons of King Ragnar Lothbrok or Ragnar Leather Pants. But not about which of the sons is doing what during the plot of the series, but about the characters of Scandinavian legends.

Three directions of Viking expansion

Three directions of Viking expansion can be distinguished. Norwegians were drawn to the North Atlantic, to the north of the British Isles, to Iceland and further north. The Danes inspired fear mainly in Central and Western Europe. And the Swedes were looking for profit in the East. But they had one thing in common - the legendary dragon ship and centuries of experience in surviving in any conditions.

Life in the Arctic Circle was a difficult experience. Since the scanty vegetation did not allow them to fill their stomachs, people depended on fishing, they went into the raging sea, often in the dark, sometimes the shore was not visible. When, finally, shipbuilding and navigation reached a level that allowed them to freely navigate the sea, they became ready for contacts with the world.

For a long time, the reason for the Viking expansion was considered to be population growth. Scandinavia was too small for two million people, and, moreover, according to the principle of seniority, only the oldest claimant to the inheritance received property, and the remaining men had to look for other occupations.

But today, researchers believe rather that the Vikings raided not out of necessity, but out of sober calculation. In the constant struggle with their neighbors, in the pragmatic handling of difficult living conditions, they had enough experience, which they turned into a new entrepreneurial model. Warfare and navigation were not only more profitable than agriculture, but also gave social prestige.