Ragnar Lothbrok is a semi-mythical character. Scientists are still arguing about its existence. As a historical figure, Ragnar Lothbrok does not appear in the annals, but the Norse sagas indicate that he was a very real person.
Origin of Ragnar Lothbrok
If you believe the sagas, Ragnar was a representative of the glorious family of Ynglings, descending from the god of sunlight Frey. Frey himself is the grandson of the supreme god Odin, which indirectly classifies all his descendants as blood relatives of Odin. Frey was a fairly peace-loving god who did not like to fight, and it is he who is considered the ancestor of all the kings of Sweden and Norway.
Despite the fact that Ragnar Lothbrok (thanks to the Vikings series) is considered a simple Viking who was able to “rise” to king, most likely he was the son of the famous Danish king Sigurd the Ring. Sigurd himself was the great-grandson of Skir from the Yngling family. In order to become king of the Danes, Sigurd had to completely defeat the army of King Harold Toothless. So the stories that the “simple” Viking Ragnar Lothbrok managed to become a hero who was able to conquer Paris are, to put it mildly, doubtful.
Why was Ragnar called Lodbrok? ?
You can learn about the biography of the Viking Ragnar from the Scandinavian sagas. He received the nickname “Lodbrok” (which means leather pants) either in childhood or after his first marriage.
- The first legend tells that Ragnar was hunting in the forest as a child and accidentally fell into a hunting hole that the Vikings had dug for large animal. A lot of poisonous snakes accumulated in this pit, which immediately attacked the future Viking king. This could be the end of Ragnar's life story, if not for the thick leather pants. The snakes could not bite through them and the future “sea king” remained alive;
- According to the second legend, Ragnar received his nickname thanks to the care of his wife. It was she who sewed “magic” leather pants for him as an amulet. Most likely, the pants were made of thick hide with wool, otherwise the Vikings would not have attached such importance to this detail of their leader’s clothing. The thick skin perfectly protected against cutting blows from cold weapons, so Ragnar’s wife was right in calling it an amulet against injuries.
Linguists have other theories regarding the origin of the nickname of this legendary or historical character:
- Some believe that the Vikings, when they gave the nickname "Lodbrok", meant the dark green color of the pants;
- Others believe that this nickname has nothing to do with clothing at all and comes from a corruption of the name of the river Lodbrick, which translates as “stream of hatred”;
- Another hypothesis says that the Icelanders gave the king his nickname and it is derived from the word “leodbroga”, which means “frightening people”;
- According to another version, Ragnar went into battle under a banner depicting one of the raven companions of the god Odin. His nickname was made up of two words, which together are translated as “Fateful” (lod - fate, brog - banner).
Did Ragnar have a brother Rollo?
In the popular TV series Vikings, Ragnar has a brother named Rollo. Naturally, Ragnar had more than one brother (since the kings were not known for their chastity), but Ragnar never had a brother named Rollo.
The real Rollo is a very real character, although he was born about a hundred years later than his so-called “brother” Ragnar. Rollo's biography is documented in chronicles, so he is quite historical figure. Rollo converted to Christianity and married the king's daughter (he was forced to give him his daughter in order to rid the kingdom of the raids of the ferocious Vikings led by Rollo). He soon became king of Normandy and died at the age of 72.
Wives and children of Ragnar Londbrok
Ragnar was quite loving, and he only had three official wives. According to the tradition of that era, marriage was regarded by the Vikings as a way to raise their status and strengthen their financial position.
The first wife (whose children were not famous for anything) was the warrior Lagertha. According to legend, in order to take her as his wife, Ragnar had to fight a wolf and a bear. Only after the bear was killed did Lagertha agree to become his wife.
If you make inquiries about the female warriors of ancient Scandinavia, it becomes clear: battles with wild animals the matter did not end there. Ragnar could only take his warrior wife by defeating her in battle.
Having become a jarl, Ragnar divorced Lagertha, using as a reason a sign supposedly sent by the gods, who first set dogs and then a bear on him. The real reason The divorce was most likely caused by Ragnar's desire to become related to the powerful Earl Harred, whose daughter Thora he took as his wife. The second wife gave birth to Ragnar two sons and one daughter.
But Ragnar did not stop there, and leaving his second wife, he married for the third time. This time on Princess Aslaug, whose father, the legendary King Sigurd, once killed the dragon Fafnir.
From this marriage Ragnar had five children:
- Bjorn Ironside;
- Sigurd Snake-Eyes;
- Ivar the Boneless;
- Hvitserk;
- Ragnhild.
The sons of Ragnar grew up to be excellent warriors, and although there is no historical evidence of the existence of the Ragnarson brothers (the Vikings did not keep records, their main historical sources were oral sagas), many indirect sources indicate that the sons of Ragnar are as real as Ragnar himself.
Ragnar's most famous son is Sigurd the Serpent in the Eye, whose grandson later became King of Norway. Sigurd received his nickname either because of a rare mutation in his pupil, or (more likely) because of the look that no one could bear. Together with their brother Ivar the Boneless, they were considered the most cruel sons of Ragnar.
It is believed that Ragnar had at least 11 children from official marriages alone. In addition, he was not distinguished by marital fidelity, and throughout Scandinavia he had many illegitimate descendants. Many stories about how he captured women by cunning serve as confirmation of this.
The most striking example is the legend of how Lodbrok dressed in a woman’s dress in order to secretly make his way to a peasant’s daughter. This would not be unusual if this story took place in France or Italy. However, for the Vikings, being like a woman meant bringing shame upon yourself. A true Scandinavian pagan would never wear a woman's dress. Most likely, this legend is a kind of metaphor that suggests that for the sake of women, Ragnar was ready to cross any moral standards of those times.
Ragnar's Great March into the Lands of the Franks
Most likely, Ragnar would not have achieved historical fame if not for his victory over the Franks. The illiterate barbarian was able to capture Paris, defeating the strongest army in Europe at that time.
Ragnar was driven to war with the Franks by the fear that after his death there would be heroes who could surpass the great warrior. Because of this, Lodbrok took on the most incredible adventures and campaigns. Possessing incredible leadership abilities, Ragnar emerged victorious from the most difficult situations. That is why his luck attracted Viking robbers from all over Scandinavia to campaign against the lands of the Franks when Ragnar set off for the shores of France in 845. About 150 ships with 5,000 Vikings on board set sail with him. Although such a gang was extremely difficult to control, Ragnar's authority and cruelty were able to unite them into one powerful force.
As soon as the army reached France, it split into two parts to plunder as much land as possible until the inhabitants fled inland to escape the ruthless pagans. Ragnar's troops went along the Seine River, and the second part, led by Hasting ( true friend Lodbrok) - along the Loire. Plundering the surrounding villages, cities and monasteries, the Vikings soon reunited into one army with the goal of capturing Paris.
The Frankish king Charles the Bald prepared a trap for the northern invaders by placing his army on both banks of the Seine. But this trick turned against him. The Viking horde of Ragnar and Hasting crushed half of the Frankish army with a lightning strike, and the other half simply could not help them.
To avoid a dangerous battle with the surviving half of the Frankish army, Ragnar gave the order to kill all the Franks in sight of the enemy. The Vikings, being recognized as masters of shoulder work, hanged more than a hundred enemies, and quartered and tortured the rest. The Franks retreated to Paris in horror, and Charles the Bald soon agreed to pay off in order to save the city from plunder.
On March 28, the Viking army solemnly entered Paris. Charles the Bald had to pay a huge ransom. True to his word, Ragnar did not touch Paris, but soon returned again and plundered all the settlements on the banks of the Seine. The king placed a huge reward on Ragnar's head, but no one dared to take such an adventure.
There is an opinion that the capture of Paris by the Vikings was not so much the merit of Ragnar as a happy accident. The Franks at that time were considered the best warriors in Europe, had better armor and weapons, and were also hardened in constant military skirmishes. On the other hand, the Frankish army was weakened by an internecine war initiated by the three sons of Louis, who were unable to peacefully share their father’s throne. Most likely, Ragnar knew this: in addition to the fact that he had military leadership talent, he did not disdain the services of hired spies.
The Frankish army did not come to a consensus on which contender for the throne to support. Therefore, she was simply not ready to repel the lightning strike of the daring and battle-hardened northern robbers. In support of this point of view, it would be appropriate to recall that the previous Viking campaigns on the lands of France were not as successful and were more like predatory raids.
The second Viking campaign ended in failure, as most of the northerners were out of action due to dysentery. The invasion was similar to an ordinary Viking raid, and this time only monasteries and villages were plundered.
There is one interesting fact regarding Ragnar Lothbrok. In Europe they called him “The Scourge of God.” Ragnar received this nickname for the special cunning with which he conquered Christian cities. After waiting church holiday or at least Sunday, Ragnar watched when all the knights gathered in the church, after which he easily captured the city and the unarmed warriors blocked in the temple.
Despite the fact that the Vikings usually sacked cities and killed everyone, Ragnar was more practical in this regard. He forbade burning the city and killing its inhabitants if they agreed to pay a ransom. Ragnar told his warriors that they could return in a few years to this same place and again take rich booty. And that's what he usually did.
Death of Ragnar Lothbrok
When Ragnar's children were already adult warriors, he decided to repeat his legendary feat by capturing the kingdom. This time he chose Northumbia. This campaign turned out to be unsuccessful for the old king. The warriors of King Aella captured Ragnar and put him to a painful execution in a pit with poisonous snakes. There are several versions of why Ragnar's army lost this battle:
- According to the first version, the Viking fleet was caught in a storm and was almost completely destroyed, and the surviving Vikings were easily finished off by the soldiers of the English king. Considering the Vikings' experience in navigation, this option is quite difficult to believe;
- According to the second version, the ship with Ragnar, sailing off the coast of Northumbia, ran aground and drowned. Lodbrok, who emerged, was easily captured;
- The third version is striking in its arrogance, but knowing the character of Ragnar, one can easily believe in it. Ragnar went to Northumbia for ransom on a single ship. He was so confident in his abilities that he did not even imagine that he would be killed. Captured, Ragnar arrogantly demanded his immediate release and payment of a ransom for the insult that King Aella had inflicted on him.
Dying from the bite of a poisonous snake, Ragnar said (in the hope that these words would be told to his sons) the following words: “My piglets will grunt when they find out about the death of the old boar!” It is not known whether these words were true or whether the skalds added them, but the sons of Ragnar really brutally executed King Aelle, who killed their father.
Revenge of the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok
Upon learning of their father's death, the Ragnarson brothers were seized with noble rage. Their father died as a slave; he was not even given a weapon, thereby depriving him of the opportunity to get to Valhalla. Having gathered an army of thousands, they set out on a great campaign against the lands of the British. In 867, the united army of Ragnar's sons invaded Northumbia, immediately defeated Ella's army, and he himself was put to a painful execution.
Not satisfied with this, the brothers moved on and ravaged most of England. This fact has been historically confirmed and is called the “Great Pagan Army,” although some historians doubt that the death of Ragnar Lothbrok was the reason for the start of Danish expansion.
The Viking invasion lasted 4 years and was stopped by King Alfred, who received the title “Great” during his lifetime.
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I am interested in martial arts with weapons and historical fencing. I am writing about weapons and military equipment, because it is interesting and familiar to me. I often learn a lot of new things and want to share these facts with people who are interested in military topics.
Ragnar Lodbrok (Lodbrog) is a legendary Danish king. The personality of Ragnar Lothbrok is considered semi-mythical, since there is no reliable historical data about his existence, however, myths, legends, epics say that Ragnar still existed, was a famous Danish king, leader, jarl, one of the most famous representatives kind of Ynglings (not to be confused with the modern one). The Ynglings are the first historical rulers of Sweden and Norway.
Ragnar Lothbrok is known as Ragnar Leather Pants. Ragnar received this nickname because he wore leather pants sewn by his wife Lagertha (the legendary female warrior) and which were like an amulet or amulet for him. According to another version, Ragnar received the nickname Leather Pants because as a child he wore hard leather pants, and when he accidentally fell into a snake’s den, he managed to survive because the snakes could not bite through them. Another nickname of the famous king was “Fate-Banner”. The nickname is a translation of the name Lodbrog: lod - fate, brog - banner. Legend has it that Ragnar's banner, which represented his army, depicted Odin's raven, which indicated the direction of the march with its wing.
Ragnar Lothbrok is considered the son of the 8th century (after 770) king of Denmark, Sigurd the Ring, who also came from the Yngling family. Sigurd the Ring is known as a superb military leader who was victorious in one of the bloodiest battles recorded in the sagas, over Harald Battletooth at the Battle of Bravellir in East Gautland. Sigurd the Ring ruled the Danish state until his death.
legendary ruler of Sweden and Denmark, famous conqueror, invincible and skilled warrior in battle. He became an influential jarl by 845, which makes him a contemporary of Rurik (Novgorod prince from 862 (d. 879)). Legends say that Ragnar constantly strived for new conquests and heroic deeds, fearing that his sons could eclipse his glory. Most likely, if this king really existed, he carried out raids between 835 and 865 AD. In addition to being a ruler, Ragnar was known as a military leader, an adventurer, an adventurer who raided other countries, and also engaged in sea robbery. In Scandinavia it is considered real national hero. Ragnar was a pagan. Moreover, he considered himself a direct descendant of the god Odin (if we resort to Slavic analogies and comparisons of gods, then Odin is similar to ours in many ways).
The Scandinavian sagas, the main character of which is Ragnar Lothbrok, tell about his campaigns, raids on foreign lands and sea robberies. He is credited with many campaigns of conquest that were very successful. One of his most famous campaigns is still celebrated and considered a holiday - March 28 “Ragnar Lothbrok's Day”. The holiday of Ragnar Lothbrok, at which toasts are made in honor of Ragnar, songs about the famous king are sung, sagas are read and various public events are held, is considered a symbol of bravery and courage. On March 28, 845, Ragnar Lothbrok attacked France and captured Paris. Legends say that for this campaign Ragnar led 120 ships containing 5,000 warriors. The ships sailed up the Seine River and captured the capital of France. The king then was Charles the Bald, who admitted defeat, but he still managed to come to an agreement with the main Viking Ragnar, to whom he paid 7,000 pounds of silver. In return, Ragnar promised not to touch Paris and kept his word, but upon returning home, he plundered all the French lands he crossed. In one of the prayers of the French monks of his time, the following phrase appeared: “God deliver us from the fury of the Normans!”
Ragnar's promise came true. The sons, including Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside and others, avenged their father's execution in 867. The sons were especially furious by the fact that Ragnar died in captivity from snake bites, and not, as befits a great warrior, in battle. With their army, they invaded England, defeated the English troops, captured King Ella and executed him, subjecting him to cruel torture and torment. After this, kingdoms such as Northumbria, Mercia, and eastern England were plundered. This event is known as the Danish conquest of the island. It ended in 871, when the descendants of Ragnar and their troops were defeated by Alfred of Wessex.
Ragnar had three wives. The first is the legendary warrior Lagertha. Some researchers attribute Lagertha to the mythical deities of the ancient Scandinavians, who, under the influence of folklore, became the wife of Ragnar and remained in the memory of the people as a fearless warrior. Ragnar's second wife was Thora, the daughter of the Gautian Jarl Herröd. Lodbrok's third wife was Aslaug, the daughter of Sigurd the Slayer of Fafnir.
Ragnar Lothbrok had many sons, the most famous of whom were: Eirik, Agnar, Sigurd the Serpent-in-the-Eye, Bjorn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Ubbe, Harald, Halfdan, Hvitserk, Fridleif, Ulv. The sons of Ragnar were held in high esteem and were all kings in their fiefs and land holdings. In addition, Ragnar had many illegitimate children who were conceived by concubines.
One of the most famous sons of Ragnar, who left a noticeable mark on history, was Ivar the Boneless (Ragnarsson). Known as the leader of the Danish Vikings, distinguished by his particular fury in battle. It was Ivar the Boneless who led the “great army of pagans” that marched on England in 865 to avenge Ragnar Lothbrok. Ivar, along with his brothers and army, subjugated Northumbria, and then gave it to the rule of the Normans of Jorvik in England. Another famous historical event that is associated with Ivar is his order in 870 to kill the East Anglian king Edmund. It has never been reliably clarified why Ivar Ragnarsson was called the Boneless. This could happen because Ivar had unusual flexibility or due to some physical or painful abnormalities. It is not known for certain about Ivar’s offspring. According to some sources, he had no children “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 (The Strand of the Sons of Ragnar),” and according to other sources, many kings traced their ancestry precisely from Ivar the Boneless. About his death and future fate recorded in the “Saga of Ragnar and His Sons” (XIII century): “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 no less famous son of Ragnar, who was also a famous king and conqueror, is Bjorn Ironside. After the death of Ragnar, the title of king passed to his son Bjorn, who from now on became his rightful successor. Bjorn's identity is reliably confirmed by historical chronicles. On the island of Munsø on Lake Mälaren in Sweden there still stands a mound in which he was once buried. pagan rituals Bjorn Ironside.
Bjorn Ironside is known as the King of Sweden, the first ruler of a new dynasty. Lived in the 9th century. Known not only as a king, but also as a fearless warrior, a worthy son of the famous king Ragnar Lothbrok. In 859, Bjorn conquered and plundered the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. In 862 he defeated Valencia. The sagas that tell about Ragnar and his sons say that Bjorn and his brothers conquered all of Sweden. Judging by the sagas and research of historians, Bjorn had three sons: Erik Bjornson, the next king of Sweden after Bjorn, Refil and Hroald.
Ragnar's Battle Song (translated by N.M. Yazykov)
We fought with swords on foreign fields,
When proud and brave, like grandfathers,
With a squad of heroes I sought victory
And the honor of living in glory for centuries to come.
We fought fiercely: the enemies were in front of us.
Like a field before a storm, they fell into dust;
We destroyed towns and villages with fires,
And the skalds sang to us in alien fields.
We fought with swords on that fateful day,
In the popular imagination, a Viking is a blond brute, a dashing fighter. This image has a real basis, but not all Vikings corresponded to it. What were these amazing people really like? Let's trace the entire evolution of the Vikings using the example of twenty legendary warriors.
Legendary early Vikings
Historians trace the beginning of the “Viking Age” to June 8, 793, when a detachment of sea robbers (presumably Norwegians) landed on the British island of Lindisfarne, robbing the monastery of St. Cuthbert. This is the first Viking attack clearly recorded in written sources.
The Viking Age can be divided into three periods. Early period (793–891)- the most romantic, when risky residents of Denmark, Norway and Sweden put together “free squads” to raid more prosperous lands. Some managed to do geographical discoveries- Thus, the Norwegian Vikings founded several settlements in Iceland. The first large-scale campaign of the Vikings in Western Europe took place in the early period - an attempt by the “great pagan army” to conquer England. The period ends with a temporary attenuation of the external expansion of the Normans (“northern people” - as the Scandinavians were called by the Europeans), when the Vikings suffered several military defeats: the largest happened in 891 at Leuven, where they were defeated by the East Franks.
Ragnar "Leather Pants" Lothbrok
Ragnar Lothbrok played by Travis Fimmel (TV series "Vikings")
Legend: Son of the Swedish king Sigurd the Ring and brother of the Danish king Gudfred. The nickname stems from the fact that Ragnar wore leather pants made by his wife Lagertha, considering them lucky. From a young age, Ragnar took part in many campaigns, gaining the authority of the great “sea king”. In 845 he assembled a huge squad for a raid on Western France. On March 28, Paris was captured, and the Frankish king Charles the Bald, in order to protect the capital from destruction, paid a ransom of seven thousand silver livres. In 865, Ragnar set off to plunder England. But the flotilla was scattered by a storm, and the king's ship ran aground. Ragnar was captured and taken to the court of King Aella of Northumbria, who ordered the Norman leader to be thrown into a pit with poisonous snakes.
Dying, Ragnar exclaimed: “How my dear piglets would grunt if they knew what it’s like for me, the old boar!”, hinting at the revenge of his sons. And they did not disappoint - they gathered a huge army, known as the “great pagan army,” and in 867 they attacked Britain. They captured and brutally executed King Aella, plundered Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Expansion " great army“Partly with a sword, partly with diplomacy, only the King of Wessex, Alfred the Great, was able to stop it.
Ragnar Lothbrok wooing his third wife Aslaug (painting by August Maelström, 1880)
Story: The existence of Ragnar is not fully confirmed; we know about him mainly from the Scandinavian sagas. As for the written chronicles of Western Europeans, which tell about events related to the possible deeds of Ragnar, they either do not mention his name, or were generally created in much later times.
Epitaph: Classic Viking adventurer. A man of noble origin, he achieved everything himself - thanks to military skills and personal courage. Having obtained enormous wealth during his campaigns, Ragnar built his own kingdom, taking control of part of the Danish and Swedish lands. However, he remained a robber at heart. Otherwise, it is difficult to explain his last adventure, when he, already at an advanced age, went to “fool around” in Northumbria.
Bjorn Ironside
Legend: Son of Ragnar Lothbrok, king of Sweden, founder of the Munsø dynasty (named after the hill where he is buried). The nickname is associated with the captured metal armor that Bjorn wore in battle. He became famous for his trips to southern lands: in 860 he ravaged the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, plundered Provence, Spain and Italy. But in a clash with the Saracen squadron he failed - using “Greek fire” unknown to the Vikings, the Moors burned forty ships. In 867, Bjorn was one of the commanders of the “great army”, but did not stay in England for long.
Story: The main source is the sagas. However, several Frankish chronicles mention a Viking leader named Berno.
Epitaph: A very sensible Viking. Worn metal armor- and don’t care that the Vikings didn’t do that. Faced with the “Greek fire” of the Moors, he did not destroy the fleet and retreated. He preferred “bird in hand” - dominion over Sweden - to “pie in the sky” (the conquest of England).
Sword of a warrior of the "great heathen army", found at Repton (formerly Mercia)
Ivar the Boneless
Legend: Son of Ragnar Lothbrok. Almost the only leader known as a berserker. There are two versions about the nickname: the first is associated with an illness (possibly impotence or bone disease), the second with the fighting skill of Ivar, dexterous and flexible, like a snake. He was one of the commanders of the “great army”, distinguished by his leadership talents and cruelty. Tortured and then killed King Aelle. In 870 he ordered the assassination of King Edmund of East Anglia. He died in 873, being the ruler of the Irish city of Dublin.
Story: In addition to the sagas and Anglo-Saxon chronicles, he is mentioned in the “Annals of Ireland”, where the date of his death is indicated - moreover, from a “terrible illness”.
Epitaph: Viking maniac, inhumanly cruel barbarian. Western chroniclers portray him as a fan of the famous “bloody eagle” execution - although modern historians deny its existence.
Sigurd Snake-Eyes
Legend: Son of Ragnar Lothbrok. The nickname arose from the fact that Sigurd was born with a mark in his eye (a ring around the pupil), which evoked associations with Ouroboros, a mythological serpent that swallows its own tail. Ragnar's favorite, after the death of his father, he inherited a fair part of his lands. He was one of the leaders of the “great army”. He married Blaja, daughter of King Aella, the killer of Ragnar Lothbrok. It is difficult to say how voluntary the marriage was, because Blaya was captured after the death of her father. However, Sigurd was with her for many years, having fathered four legitimate children. After returning from Britain, he quarreled with King Ernulf and died in battle in 890.
Story: Known only from the sagas.
Epitaph: “Soft” version of the Viking. A dashing fighter, but he became famous as a zealous landowner and a good family man.
Capture of Paris by Ragnar Lothbrok (19th century painting)
Halfdan Ragnarsson
Legend: Son of Ragnar Lothbrok (possibly by concubine). In 870 he became the sole commander of the "great army" and tried to conquer Wessex, but was unsuccessful. In 874 he captured the West English kingdom of Mercia. After this, the “great army” disintegrated, and Halfdan with half the troops went to Scotland, and then to Ireland, where he declared himself king of Dublin. Constantly organized new trips. During one of them, a revolt of the Vikings who remained there broke out in Ireland. In 877, Halfdan fought with the rebels at Strangford Lough, was defeated and died.
Story: In addition to the sagas, it is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon and Irish chronicles.
Epitaph: An ambitious Viking with a thirst for great achievements. Perhaps his fierce desire to rise is due precisely to his “illegal” origin (even his name means “half-Danish” - a hint that Halfdan’s mother was a foreigner, not from Scandinavia).
"Vikings": a collection of misconceptions
The Canadian-Irish series Vikings, which is being filmed for the History Channel, is considered by many. Alas, this is not true. The authors attributed the deeds of other Vikings to the semi-legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, mixing together events of about two centuries. They distorted the ideas of modern historical science about the morals and customs of the Vikings. And although the weapons, clothing and architecture shown in the series more or less correspond to the era, they are also full of anachronisms. In general, in terms of “historicity,” the series is inferior even to the novels of Alexandre Dumas.
So the most authentic films about the Vikings are still the Soviet-Norwegian film by Stanislav Rostotsky “And Trees Grow on the Stones...” and the cycle of films by the Icelandic director Hrabn Güdnlaugsson (“Flight of the Raven”, “Shadow of the Raven”, “The White Viking”).
In addition, you can read about Ragnar and especially about the campaign of his sons from Maria Semyonova (“Two Kings”) and Harry Harrison (“The Hammer and the Cross”). Many songs are dedicated to the Ragnarson family, especially metal ones - for example, on the Doomsword album “Let Battle Commence”:
Guthrum the Old
Legend: Danish Viking, participant in the campaign of the “great army”, during which he gained considerable glory, so that when the army split in 875, he led half of it. He successfully fought with Wessex, but after the defeat at Ethandun he chose to make peace and was baptized under the name Athelstan. In 880 he became king of East Anglia. He ruled until his death in 890, managing to transfer the throne to his son Eorik.
Story: In addition to the sagas, it is repeatedly mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon chronicles; coins minted under it have also been preserved. The nickname "Old" was given to him by modern historians to distinguish him from another king of East Anglia, Guthrum, who reigned at the beginning of the 10th century.
Epitaph: A Viking of humble birth who managed to rise to the top thanks to his intelligence and military talents. As a result, he became king and passed on power by inheritance.
Real Viking ship in the Oslo Museum
Ubba Ragnarsson
Legend: Son of Ragnar Lothbrok. One of the leaders of the “great army”, participant in the assassination of King Edmund of East Anglia. Was good fighter, but was not distinguished by other talents. When the “great army” split, he remained under the command of Guthrum. In 878 he went to Somerset. After the landing, he was defeated at the Battle of Kinvinta, where he died.
Story: Mentioned in the sagas, as well as in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles.
Epitaph: A brave and cruel fighter “without a king in his head”, capable only of fighting.
Gutfried of Frisia
Legend: Danish jarl, participant in the campaign of the “great army”. Having obtained a lot of goods in England, he assembled a squad, with the help of which he captured Frisia (a province on the border with Denmark) in 880. In 882 he ravaged Maastricht, Liege, Cologne, Trier, Metz and Aachen. Emperor Charles III the Thick made peace with Gutfried, granted him the title of Duke of Frisia, after which the seasoned robber took a vassal oath and was baptized. However, Gutfried turned a blind eye to the raids of other Vikings. The emperor's patience ran out, and in 885 he accused Gutfried of treason, after which he was killed by a group of Frisian nobles.
Story: Often mentioned in chronicles - so the person is historical.
Epitaph: Viking condottiere. He got rich from robberies, gathered a squad, seized lands, began to serve the emperor... And then he betrayed - or was accused of treason. And he was killed - the famous mercenary Albrecht Wallenstein ended up in exactly the same way.
Vikings on a campaign (painting by Nicholas Roerich “Overseas Guests”, 1901)
Hastein
Legend: Probably Danish. According to one version, he is the son of a small farmer, according to another, he is a relative of Ragnar Lothbrok. An experienced warrior, he was the mentor of Bjorn Ironside, with whom he plundered France, Spain, Italy and Morocco. Then, alone, he returned to France, where he became a mercenary for the Duke of Breton. In 866 he defeated the Franks at Brissart. In 890 he moved to Flanders. Two years later he led the Viking army, which again tried to conquer England. He plundered many English lands, but, deciding not to try his luck anymore, he returned to France, where he died a few years later.
Story: There are many records of Hastein in the Frankish and Anglo-Saxon chronicles, so his reality is proven. True, there is a possibility that there were two people with that name. If Hastein, who fought with Alfred the Great, was the mentor of Bjorn Ironside, then during the English campaign he should have been over seventy (at that time - very old). However, this is possible.
Epitaph: One of the greatest “sea kings” - he robbed for a long time and with impunity, filled his pockets and died in his bed.
Rorik of Jutland (painting by Willem Koekkoek, 1912)
Legend: Nephew (according to another version - brother) of the king of Jutland Harald Klak. From a young age he was a mercenary in the service of the Frankish king Lothair, who fought against his father and brothers. After the strife between the Franks subsided, Lothair decided to get rid of Rorik and threw him into prison. But he fled and in 850 captured Dorestad and Utrecht. Lothair was forced to make peace - with the condition that the formidable Dane would defend the northern lands of the Franks from other Vikings. Around 857–862, Rorik conquered the Vendian Slavs and also captured part of Lorraine. Died between 879 and 882.
Story: Rorik of Jutland is mentioned several times in the Frankish annals. Since the 19th century, a number of historians have identified him with Rurik, the Varangian known from the Tale of Bygone Years, who founded the ancient Russian princely dynasty. After all, Rorik is the only famous Viking with a similar name who lived during the same period. In addition, in 863-870, the name of Rurik disappeared from the Frankish chronicles - at the same time, according to Russian chronicles, Rurik of Novgorod appeared. Among modern Russian historians, this version has both supporters and opponents.
Epitaph: The most successful Viking who served the Carolingians. Starting as a mercenary, he built his own state. In general, life was good - even if we do not take into account the hypothesis that he was the founder of the Rurikovich dynasty.
Legendary Vikings of the Middle Period
The middle period of the Viking Age (891–980) is associated with education in Scandinavia centralized states. At that time, the Normans fought with each other - the more successful became kings, the defeated sought happiness in other lands. The end of the period is considered to be 980, when the Normans, having overcome internal unrest, resumed expansion, but in a more “state” format.
Harald Fairhair
Statue of Harald Fairhair in Oslo (sculptor Nils Aas)
Legend: Son of Halfdan the Black, king of the province of Vestfold. His youth was spent in endless battles with local jarls, the apotheosis of which was the Battle of Hafsfjord (872). After the victory, Harald declared himself king of a united Norway, subsequently subjugated the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and fought with the Swedes. He died in 933 (according to other sources - in 940). The nickname appeared because of the luxurious hair that Harald was proud of.
Story: Although only sagas tell about Harald's life, scholars recognize him as a real figure.
Epitaph: The first Scandinavian king, who can be compared with the kings of Western Europe. So, he organized a full-fledged tax system, which, by the way, caused Norwegians dissatisfied with this to flee en masse to Iceland.
Statue of Rollo on the façade of Rouen Cathedral, where his tomb is located
Legend: The son of the Norwegian jarl Rognvald, real name Rolf (or Hrolf) - the Franks called him Rollon. He was nicknamed the Pedestrian because no horse could carry his massive bulk. Rolf's father lost his lands during the unification of Norway under the leadership of Harald Fairhair, but became Earl of Orkney and Shetland. Rolf was the youngest son, so he decided to try his luck as a Viking and gathered a squad with which he plundered Western France for many years. In 911, King Charles III the Simple gave Rollon Rouen, Brittany, Caen, Er and gave his daughter Gisela as his wife. In return, Rollo was baptized under the name of Robert, recognizing the King of France as his lord. This is how the Norman Duchy appeared, which became hereditary. Rollo died around 932 and was buried in Rouen Cathedral.
Story: A real character about whom there are many references in written sources.
Epitaph: The Viking ideal. Thanks to his daring and intelligence, he founded a ruling dynasty, whose members played a significant role in Western European politics for many centuries.
Eric Bloodaxe
Legend: King of Norway, beloved son and heir of Harald Fairhair. He became famous both for his military exploits and his atrocities. He killed three of his brothers, but lost the war with the fourth, after which he fled from Norway to Britain, where he became king of Northumbria. In 954 he tried to conquer Ireland, but was defeated and died in battle (according to another version, he was killed by conspirators in York).
Story: Mentioned both in sagas and chronicles, where he is called “fratricide.” There are also coins minted in Northumbria bearing the name Eric. However, some information about him contradicts each other.
Epitaph: « Dark Lord"Viking, a cruel tyrant, capable of any atrocity.
Eric the Red
Legend: A Norwegian Viking with a violent temperament, he killed other Normans several times. He was expelled first from Norway, then from Iceland. In 980 he sailed west, where he discovered a land he named Greenland. Returning to Iceland, he recruited settlers and sailed with them again to Greenland. There he founded the settlement of Brattalid (near the modern village of Narsarsuaq), where he died in 1003.
Story: In addition to the sagas, the story of Eric the Red is confirmed by archaeological finds.
Epitaph: Vikings are not necessarily robbers; there were many brave pioneers among them. Eric the Red is just such a researcher, albeit unwillingly.
Eric the Red's farm in Greenland (modern reconstruction)
Egil Skallagrimsson
Legend: Great Icelandic skald, son of a Norwegian settler. He was considered a berserker and fought several times in holmgangs (Viking duels). He killed several Normans, in particular, the brother of Gunnhild, the wife of Eric Bloodaxe, who declared Egil an outlaw. He pirated in the Baltic lands, then moved to England. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Brunanburg (937), where he fought for the English king Ettelstan. Having lived a long life, he died around 990 in his native Iceland.
Story: The main sources are sagas, including his own.
Epitaph: Considered the greatest poet of the Viking Age. He was the first skald to use end rhyme. Three of Egil's sagas, several poetic fragments and about fifty vis (short poems) have survived.
Legendary Vikings of the Late Period
The late period of the Viking Age (980–1066) is called the “era of the Viking kings”, as the military expeditions of the Normans turned into large-scale conquests. The Viking Age ended when the Normans who converted to Christianity ceased to differ significantly from other inhabitants of Western Europe. Even the “Viking” itself (a campaign for the purpose of mining) ceased to be a traditional way for the Scandinavians to achieve success.
Legend: Icelandic navigator, son of Erik the Red. Around the year 1000, Leif heard the story of the merchant Bjarni Herjulfssen, who saw an unknown land to the west of Greenland. Having bought a ship from Bjarni, Leif sailed in search. He discovered and explored three regions: Helluland (probably Baffin Island), Markland (probably Labrador) and Vinland (the coast of Newfoundland). In Vinland, Leif founded several settlements.
Story: Sagas and archaeological finds.
Epitaph: European who discovered America five centuries before Christopher Columbus.
Leif the Happy discovers America (painting by Christian Krogh, 1893)
Olaf Tryggvasson
Monument to Olaf Trygvasson in Trondheim
Legend: Norwegian Viking, kinsman of King Harald Greypelt. For about ten years he was a warrior of the Russian prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. There is a version that it was Olaf who pushed Vladimir, with whom he was friends, to baptism. When a rebellion broke out in Norway against Earl Hakon the Mighty, Olaf joined the rebels. In 995 he became king of Norway, declaring independence from Denmark. He pursued a violent policy of Christianization. In 1000, the jarls dissatisfied with the king, united with the Danes and Swedes, defeated Olaf's fleet in the battle of Svolder Island. Unwilling to give up, the king jumped into the sea and drowned.
Story: In addition to the sagas, Olaf is mentioned in English and German chronicles. He is considered a real person, but many information about him is contradictory.
Epitaph: Adventurer, revered in Norway as a promoter of Christianity and a fighter for national independence.
Sven Forkbeard
Legend: Got his nickname because of the exotic shape of his beard and mustache. The son of the Danish king Harald Bluetooth, who spread Christianity. Sven was a pagan and a supporter of old customs, so he overthrew his father. After the death of Olaf Trygvasson, he became king of Norway. On November 13, 1002, in England, by order of King Ethelred II, an attempt was made to kill all the Danes. Sven's sister died during the massacre. In revenge, he organized several raids on England, and in 1013 he launched a large-scale invasion, during which he captured London and became king. However, soon, on February 2, 1014, he died in terrible agony - perhaps he was poisoned.
Story: Sagas and numerous Anglo-Saxon chronicles.
Epitaph: He realized the old dream of the Vikings by becoming the English king.
Canute the Great
Legend: Younger son Sven Forkbeard. Accompanied his father during the conquest of England. After Sven's death, the army proclaimed Canute (the Anglo-Saxons called him Canute) king, but he was forced to sail to Denmark when the English nobility supported the returning Ethelred. Having collected new army, Canute again conquered England in 1016, dividing it into counties. He also created the Tinglid - a squad from the most noble families, the basis of knighthood. In 1017 he subjugated part of Scotland. The following year, after the death of his elder brother, he inherited the Danish crown. In 1026, having defeated the Norwegian-Swedish fleet at Helgeo, he became king of Norway and part of Sweden. He contributed to the spread of Christianity and endowed the church with land holdings. Died 12 November 1035 in Dorset, buried in Winchester Cathedral.
Story: Sagas, chronicles, archaeological finds - reality is indisputable.
Epitaph: Most great king Vikings in history, uniting almost all of Scandinavia. At the zenith of its power, its power was not inferior to the Holy Roman Empire. True, after the death of Knud it quickly fell apart.
Monument honoring Harald the Harsh as the founder of Oslo
Legend: Son of King Sigurd of Eastern Norway, younger brother of King Olaf II of Norway the Saint. After the death of his brother, when Canute the Great took possession of Norway, fifteen-year-old Harald became an exile. In 1031 he entered the service of the Kyiv prince Yaroslav the Wise. In 1034 he went to Byzantium, where his detachment became the basis of the Varangian Guard. Having distinguished himself in suppressing the Bulgarian uprising, in 1041 he led the guards and a year later helped to overthrow Emperor Michael V. Having fallen into disgrace, he fled to Kyiv, where his future wife, the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, Elizabeth, lived. In 1045 he forced his nephew, King Magnus the Good of Norway, to make him his co-ruler. After the death of Magnus, he became king of Norway. He won a series of victories over the Danes and Swedes. He took care of the development of trade and crafts, founded Oslo, and finally established Christianity in Norway. Trying to capture England, he died on September 25, 1066 at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Story: Sagas, chronicles, objects of material culture - without a doubt, a historical figure.
Epitaph: “The Last Viking,” whose life resembles an adventure novel. He was a very efficient king, but his passion for adventure turned out to be stronger than anything else.
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The arrow that struck the throat of Harald the Harsh brought an end to the Viking Age. Why? It's simple - Harald was the last Scandinavian ruler who used ancient methods. And William the Conqueror, who became the English king a month after the death of Harald, was a Norman in name only - and his campaign was not a “Viking”, but an ordinary feudal war. From now on, the Scandinavians were no different from other inhabitants of Europe. Their dashing raids remained in the tales of the skalds and on the brittle pages of monastic chronicles. And, of course, in human memory...
Ragnar Lothbrok died in 865. During a military campaign in Great Britain, his ship ran aground. This happened in Northumbria in the north of England. Ragnar was captured. He was brought to King Ell II, who ordered him to be thrown into a pit with poisonous snakes, where he died from numerous bites.
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. Although Ragnar kept his word and left Paris without significant destruction, on his way back through northern France he plundered every area he crossed.
Personality and abilities
In the game Crusader Kings II, with The Old Gods addon installed, Ragnar is a non-player character. Ragnar is supported by his blood brother, the hero Rollo, who secretly desires his wife Lagertha. After a successful campaign and the robbery of the monastery of St. Cuthbert on the island of Lindisfarne, the Vikings return to Kattegat with their loot.
Over time, the confrontation between the jarl and Ragnar becomes more and more obvious and continues until Ragnar kills the treacherous ruler in a duel. 816 (in the film the year is incorrectly given as 796). Ragnar wins the feud and, as a reconciliation, invites the jarls to launch a new joint raid on Britain.
King Harald Fairhair joins Ragnar for a new campaign against Paris. Ragnar returns to Kattegat, freed from illness and drug addiction. But having learned during this time that Ragnar hid the truth from everyone about the defeat of the Viking settlement in England, most of the sons already hate him.
Their ships with most of the crew perish during a storm, but Ragnar and Ivar with a dozen Vikings manage to survive and hide. Having surrendered to Egbert, Ragnar extracts from him a promise to send his “harmless” crippled son with the ship to his homeland. Feeling remorse, Egbert hands Ragnar over to King Ella of Northumbria, who executes Ragnar by throwing him into a pit with poisonous snakes.
In Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, the series aired on HBO Nordic. The main action of the series takes place in the fictional Viking village of Kattegat on the shores of the strait of the same name. She fights using a sword and shield, which seem prohibitively large in her fragile hands. Ragnar is conflicted: his love for Aslaug, who gave him so many children, and Lagertha, whom he still considers his own, despite the fact that the past cannot be returned.
Ambitious and strong man, he is a worthy opponent to Ragnar Lothbrok. Ragnar and he’s old dream of developing new arable land is coming true, because in Scandinavia this has always been in short supply.
She was so confident in him that she entrusted him with managing Hedeby and dealing with the disgruntled Einar. But in the end, Kalf betrayed her and usurped the throne, earning Lagertha's vengeful hatred. Both the Saxons and Jutes are ancient Germanic tribes that migrated towards the British Isles four hundred years before the Viking Age.
Ragnar Lodbrok (Lodbrog) is a legendary Danish king. Ragnar Lothbrok is considered the son of the 8th century (after 770) king of Denmark, Sigurd the Ring, who also came from the Yngling family. Ragnar was a pagan. The Scandinavian sagas, the main character of which is Ragnar Lothbrok, tell about his campaigns, raids on foreign lands and sea robberies. One of his most famous campaigns is still celebrated and considered a holiday - March 28, “Ragnar Lothbrok's Day.”
In return, Ragnar promised not to touch Paris and kept his word, but upon returning home, he plundered all the French lands he crossed. Judging by the legend, Ragnar’s last words were: “How my dear piglets would grunt if they knew what it’s like for me, the old boar!” Ragnar's promise came true. It ended in 871, when the descendants of Ragnar and their troops were defeated by Alfred of Wessex. Ragnar had three wives. The first is the legendary warrior Lagertha.
In addition, Ragnar had many illegitimate children who were conceived by concubines. One of the most famous sons of Ragnar, who left a noticeable mark on history, was Ivar the Boneless (Ragnarsson). Ivar, along with his brothers and army, subjugated Northumbria, and then gave it to the rule of the Normans of Jorvik in England.
His death and subsequent fate are recorded in “The Saga of Ragnar and His Sons” (XIII century): “Ivar ruled in England until his death and died of illness. 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.
Legendary biography
No less famous son of Ragnar, who was also a famous king and conqueror, is Bjorn Ironside. After the death of Ragnar, the title of king passed to his son Bjorn, who from now on became his rightful successor. In 859, Bjorn conquered and plundered the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.
Lagertha is wounded, and Ragnar himself is taken to the ship, not allowing him to finish the duel with Rollo. The Vikings retreat and sail to Kattegat. And this was the first Viking invasion of Europe. Lived in the 9th century. Known not only as a king, but also as a fearless warrior, a worthy son of the famous king Ragnar Lothbrok. In the legends of Ragnar Lothbrok, Lagertha was his first wife, who bore him three children: a son, Fridleif, and two daughters, whose names have not survived to modern times.
Ivar the Boneless - main character season five of Vikings. Despite the fact that he was first shown in this image only from the middle of the fourth season, in just a dozen episodes he turned into the most famous of Ragnar's sons. Ivar himself does not deny that he wants to achieve glory that will live for centuries and can eclipse even the exploits of the pope. Looking ahead, we can say that the stories about Ivar and his deeds were not forgotten even after a millennium.
The childhood of this hero was very difficult - from birth he was a weak and sickly child, whose bones bent as if sculpted from damp clay. Adults doubted that the path of a warrior could be accessible to this boy, but even with early years he showed that he could defend himself, and he had so much hatred for his enemies that it would be enough for ten Vikings.
Ivar in season five
In the fifth season, the character of Ivar is shown as a person who managed to determine the fate of Norway for many centuries to come. It was he who started big hike The great pagan army to England - in order to take revenge on its rulers for the death of his father. After the successful conquest of York, he decided to return to his homeland and go to war against Kattegat.