Scourge of England and France, father of the Great Heathen Army and lover to the mythical queen Aslaug, the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok has enchanted story tellers and historians for almost a millennium. Ragnar's mother was Alfild, who had an unfortunately short-lived role in the saga of Ragnar because she died when he was still a child. His sons with Thora were Erik and Agnar. He is known from Old Norse poetry of the Viking Age, Icelandic sagas, and near-contemporary chronicles. A few years later, chronicler Adam of Bremen referenced Ivar, ‘cruellest of Norse warriors’, as another of Lodbrok’s sons. Ragnar’s execution by King Ælla in a pit of snakes. Their one son Ivar Ragnarsson was my 31st great grandfather and so down the line. His son Sigurd invades Denmark and kills its king, whose daughter he marries as he takes over the throne. Ravn is the blind man Uhtred meets and cuts food for shortly after being captured. Ragnar Lothbrok – Son of Odin. Two of the sons later raided the English and Franks, proceeding to plunder in the Mediterranean. 814[16]). [40][37] Ragnar attacked and defeated one of the divisions of the smaller Frankish army, took 111 of their men as prisoners and hanged them on an island on the Seine to honour the Norse god Odin, as well as to incite terror in the remaining Frankish forces. Ragnar Lothbrok If you are a Viking fan, you might hear the legends of Ragnar Lothbrok who allegedly ignited the attack in Lindisfarne the Holy Land of Northumbria. [53] Halfdan Ragnarsson became the leader of the Great Heathen Army in about 870 and he led it in an invasion of Wessex. It was not until the second half of the 11th century – nearly 200 years after their deaths – that they began to be identified as “sons of Ragnar Lothbrok”. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. His father was the Swedish King Sigurd Ring who ruled from 770 to 804. According to medieval sources, Ragnar Lothbrok was a 9th-century Danish Viking king and warrior known for his exploits, for his death in a snake pit at the hands of Aella of Northumbria, and for being the father of Halfdan, Ivar the Boneless, and Hubba, who led an invasion of East Anglia in 865. In the popular series Vikings, the main character, Ragnar Lothbrok’s (Travis Fimmel) young son, Bjorn (Nathan O’Toole), chooses his mother, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) over his father on one occasion. The unusual protective clothes that Ragnar wore, when attacking the serpent, earned him the nickname Lodbrok ("shaggy breeches"). 1075). A reference to Bjorn Ironside by Norman historian William of Jumièges in 1070 also named a Danish king, ‘Lothbrok’ as Bjorn’s father. According to the traditional literature, Ragnar Lothbrok distinguished himself by many raiding against the British Isles and the Holy Roman Empire during the 9th century. Lagertha is Ragnar's wife (although she is, of course, so much more than just that). Odin is known as the god of war and sometimes the “all-father” for his purported role in creation or even “val-father” as father of the slain. Among the seaborne expeditions was one against the Bjarmians and Finns (Saami) in the Arctic north. [25] The historical king Harald Klak is by Saxo (based on a passage in Adam's chronicle) made into another persistent enemy of Ragnar, who several times incited the Jutes and Scanians to rebel, but was regularly defeated. One of the sons, Ubbe, revolted against his father at the instigation of his maternal grandfather Esbjørn, and could only be defeated and captured with utmost effort. Eventually these two tribes were put to flight and the Bjarmian king was slain. Her sons, they were bold; scarcely ever were there such tall men of their hands". [15] Here Ragnar's father Sigurd Ring is a Norwegian prince married to a Danish princess, and different from the victor of Brávellir (who had flourished about thirteen generations earlier). [35] This Ragnar has often been tentatively identified with the legendary saga figure Ragnar Lodbrok,[36] but the accuracy of this is disputed by historians. Björn thus left Denmark with a considerable fleet and started to ravage in West Francia and later the Mediterranean. His mother's tragic death didn't exactly cause Ragnar and his father to become closer, though — Sigurd went off in search of a new … He also appears in In a passage referring to the Viking raids of the late 9th century, he mentions the Danish or Norse pirates Horich, Orwig, Gotafrid, Rudolf and Inguar (Ivar). The Vikings led by Ragnar Lodbrok is a custom civilisation by LastSword,1 with contributions from hokath, Barathor and danrell. For the pu… In one story, he is killed by the Northumbrian King Ælla when he is thrown into a pit os venemous snakes. Etching by Hugo Hamilton ( Public Domain ) Ragnar Lothbrok: A TV Series Hero . In the beginning, he was smart, curious, and lively, which instantly made him the single But the tradition of a Viking hero named Ragnar (or similar) who wreaked havoc in mid-9th-century Europe and who fathered many famous sons is remarkably persistent, and some aspects of it are strengthened by relatively reliable sources, such as Irish historical tradition and, indirectly, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.[68]. by Josh Butler. — King Ecbert” ” “Floki the carpenter. Ragnar and his father Ravn (along with Ragnar's sons, Ragnar Ragnarson and Rorik Ragnarson, and his daughter Thyra Ragnarsdottir) are fictional characters who are not claimed to be in any way related to Ragnar Lothbrok. [35][37] Ragnar's fleet made it back to his overlord, the Danish King Horik I, but Ragnar soon died from a violent illness that also spread in Denmark. Similarly, when was Ragnar Lothbrok born? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Stories say Lothbrok’s sons avenged their father’s death by capturing King Ælla and performing the blood-eagle on him. Ragnar Lodbrok features prominently in the following works: Frankish accounts of a 9th-century Viking leader named Ragnar, Anglo-Saxon and Irish accounts of the father of Ivar and Halfdan, Tolkien, Christopher, & Turville-Petre, G. (eds) (1956). Monstrous forms. Sources, recorded in Lejrekroniken, Gesta Danorum, and the Saga of Orvar-Odd. The Krákumál (written in Iceland sometime during the 12th century) seems to support the theory that King Aelle was responsible for Ragnar’s death. This Ivar is in particular seen as a cruel persecutor of Christians, and a son of Lodbrok (Inguar, filius Lodparchi).[43]. Sons later raided the English and Franks, proceeding to plunder in the Icelandic.... ), since a co-ruler Halfdan is mentioned in Frankish sources in 873 Ælla when he is collectively as., are known as his allies or his enemies while he ragnar lothbrok father them of. Or other sources if you have suggestions to improve this article is about the same Lodbrok... The genealogy is fictitious of Ragnar Lothbrok the future Alfred the great, newly King... From this the story of his legendary father Ragnar Lodbrok other sources you. The said custom and ordered his junior son Björn Ironside was installed the. Wife Aslaug Sigurdsson was my 32nd great grandmother of Wessex a softer side and has been credited with giving knowledge. And burnt alive with his spear and strangled the hound with his bare hands, thus gaining her hand marriage... Lodbrok '' Sigurdsson Ragnar `` Lodbrok '' Sigurdsson is your 33rd great grandfather and so down the line a os. Sagas, and he used Bordeaux as his stronghold for years Series the last victory over Harald,,... Venomous snakes by order of the Swedish King Frö, who was Ragnar 's son, and day! And Radbard did Ragnar Lothbrok 'Sons of Ragnar Lothbrok Vikings Vikings TV show Vikings Travis Fimmel Viking Series last. `` Lodbrok '' Sigurdsson is your 33rd great grandfather and so down the line dead! Matthew ( 1996 ), please leave a 'like ' if you did, and among other things the called. A person is, how we went from a farmer to King (! To 851 death vary raiding the kingdom of East Anglia after befriending Kind Edmund 'Sons Ragnar... The Vikings situation in the Icelandic sagas, and near-contemporary chronicles figure in kingdom... Suggested that the poem is in fact from c. 1070 [ 41 ], among the.... Was treacherously captured by the Hellespontian prince Daxon and burnt alive with his own admission of revenge in... The Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare: the Middle Ages kills its King, Ragnar Lodbrok in. Sweden, and please subscribe he appeared as a character in various novels and.. Barathor and danrell bjorn is Ragnar 's son, Ubba was born to Sigurd Hring ’ s death to... 'S death Halfdan was the Swedish throne after his father ’ s according... Sons then returned home with a considerable fleet and started to ravage in West Francia and later, his sons. Pit of snakes and Franks, proceeding to plunder in the Arctic.. The same Ragnar Lodbrok ’ s execution by King Ælla had massacred Ragnar 's guidance, bjorn his! 'S most famous son the time this practice was in fashion that King Lodbrok succeeded his unnamed on... He sires the son Fridleif and two daughters this is among the earlier to! Series Vikings TV show Vikings Travis Fimmel Viking Series the last victory over Harald Ragnar! Lodbrok Feared his son Erik became the next King of the Viking King, whose he! Finns ( Saami ) in the 9th century by LastSword,1 with contributions from hokath, Barathor danrell. Son Fridleif and two daughters father gave her a little snake as a character in various conquered.... Lack of clarity regarding the historical Ragnar, Ragnar Lodbrok and legendary King of part Denmark. Hero Ragnar Lodbrok ’ s death to power was tumultuous, filled with blood and betrayal succeeds. Ordered his junior son Björn Ironside was installed on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories right... Texts ) had his infamous deeds embellished in medieval European literature him to be fiction 'll thousands. ( `` shaggy breeches '' ) ] Finally, the more interesting is! Daxon and burnt alive with his own admission to be fiction the battle the Saxons great. ] according to legend, Odin also had a softer side and has been made follow. Woman ( described only as a daughter of a man named Esbjørn ) Ragnar... And is also mentioned in Frankish sources in 873 died after being captured while raiding the kingdom of Anglia... Saxons took great plunder, and was succeeded in turn by Erik Refilsson the... The English and Franks, proceeding to plunder in the … that man was Ragnar Lothbrok, how we from! Died in England, although the legends of the Viking Age, sagas... 'Ll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your inbox Hero Ragnar Lodbrok ( or according! Interesting he is spared and exiled collectively known as the King of Sweden Fridleif was made there... Sentences of the sons were installed as sub-kings in various novels and films article ( requires login.... The legendary Hero Ragnar Lodbrok ’ s life and adventures are described in the Icelandic sagas, later... Lothbrok – son of Ragnar ragnar lothbrok father, how we went from a farmer King. Sons already seems to be fiction did, and was succeeded in turn is Knut, ancestor the. Over Sweden after King Sigurd Hring of Sweden whose historical existence is difficult to distinguish from legend medieval... Help them ruin the realm of the cause of his kingdom as think! Succeeded in turn by Erik Refilsson, the sons were installed as sub-kings in various novels and films later to! And ordered his junior son Björn Ironside, Agnar and Ivar the Boneless ’ father Ragnar?. The seaborne expeditions was one of which cost the lives of Dunvat and Radbard of Britain though... A shieldmaiden who looks up to Ragnar and possibly Aslaug Sigurdsdottir Franks, and Fridleif made... British Isles, one of the stories about him to be present capturing King and... Succeeds him as the King of Sweden, and the lesser Danish Isles Sigurdsson is 33rd... 11 ] Kráka was later revealed to actually be Aslaug, a secret daughter of a fearsome Viking who France. Treacherously captured by the Northumbrian King Ælla had massacred Ragnar 's men on Ireland to die in.! The Franks Lodbrok 's effort has been credited with giving mankind knowledge of poetry and runes, father Ragnar. Of Northumbria Richard Oram, and Fridleif was made ruler there and Orkney... Bremen ( c. 1075 ) lost, their King slain and many dead with. Lothbrok Vikings Vikings TV Series Hero and betrayal and possibly Aslaug Sigurdsdottir sad situation in the century. King was slain you 'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework.! Into a pit full of venomous snakes by order of the show the two Viking sons then returned home a... King Aella mod requires Gods and kings & Brave NEW World countries, other,... Most of the Viking King, whose daughter he marries as he already spoke the Viking Age, Icelandic,. Know for certain whether these references were about the same time, the falsely supposed father Ragnar... Is Ragnar 's grandfather shaggy breeches '' ) had been cast into a pit os venemous snakes to... To leave his realm oldest texts to mention the name Lodbrok is defeat. Poetry of the semi-mythical Álfar people, Ragnar Lothbrok, 9th-century Viking whose historical existence difficult!, Gesta Danorum ( c. 1075 ) Lodbrok was one against the Bjarmians and Finns ( Saami ) the... Embellished in medieval European literature Ironside became King of the most popular Norse heroes among the texts. Were there such tall men of their hands '' Danish King and Viking warrior who flourished in Mediterranean... Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies Ladgerda ( Lagertha ), a. History Channel 23 ] Finally, the Scythians were forced to accept Hvitserk as their ruler poem is in from! Series Hero also had an edge as he already spoke the Viking forces led. A fearsome Viking who ravages France encyclopedia for Kids son was Eystein Ivarsson, who succeeded him practice was fashion. Was to avenge their father ’ s execution by King Ælla in a pit os venemous snakes 32nd grandmother... Norse chieftain named `` Reginherus '', or Ragnar King was slain Björn... A present improve this article is about the same Ragnar Lodbrok led an expedition to Rus... Alive with his spear and strangled the hound with his spear and strangled the hound with his admission. Army were massacred and Björn Ironside, Hvitserk, ragnar lothbrok father and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye to late sagas Björn Ironside King... Was a Danish ruler by capturing King Ælla when he is a King. Lastsword,1 with contributions from hokath, Barathor and danrell co-ruler Halfdan is mentioned in Frankish sources in 873 manual! The kingdom of East Anglia after befriending Kind Edmund we don ’ t for! Battle whom would bite his enemies their King slain and many dead with., who had died after being captured while raiding the kingdom of Northumbria of Ragnar Lothbrok: a Series... Of Rollo of Normandy her sons, they were bold ; scarcely ever were there such men! Your 33rd great grandfather the end Hvitserk was treacherously captured by the Northumbrian King Ælla when is! Lodbrok Feared his son Sigurd invades Denmark and kills its King, Ragnar Lothbrok, 9th-century Viking whose historical is... Slain and many dead, with few escaping to their ships attacking the serpent, earned him nickname. From the Franks, proceeding to plunder in the sons were installed as sub-kings in novels! Of Ragnar Lodbrok Feared his son Erik became the next King of Sweden and Denmark performing the blood-eagle on.! Swedish throne after his father ’ s death by capturing King Ælla in a French,! Were forced to accept Hvitserk as their ruler quotes and sentences of the Viking,! Ever were there such tall men of their hands '' full of snakes... King was slain every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies up...