Ragnar Lodbrok is one of the most recognizable characters of the Scandinavian sagas, inspiring successive generations of Vikings. Although his achievements have aroused admiration for hundreds of years, he only gained real recognition through the TV series "Vikings." But are the events of the TV production confirmed in history?
Who was Ragnar Lodbrok?
Ragnar Lodbrok is a figure known from Old Norse stories of the Viking Age, Icelandic sagas and medieval chronicles. According to sources, he was one of the most powerful warriors of the 9th century, who became famous for his numerous invasions of the British Isles and territories of the Carolingian Empire. The saga of Ragnar Lodbrok and other Icelandic tales depict him as the son of the Swedish king Sigurd Ring, whose father was said to be the Danish ruler Randver. The myths indicate that he was also Odin’s chosen one, who prompted him to perform heroic deeds beyond human ability.
Ragnar Lodbrok is described as an exceptionally strong and courageous man , but also handsome and endowed with extraordinary wisdom. He was kind to his subjects, but ruthless to his enemies. The Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok tells the story of how he amassed a fleet, becoming a great warrior. According to this legend, he was also said to have traveled to the land of Götaland, where he defeated a dragon with his own hands.
Did Ragnar Lodbrok really exist?
Ragnar Lodbrok is a figure shrouded in legend, and the question of his actual existence remains unresolved. Although his name appears in both Scandinavian sagas and English chronicles, historians are still arguing over whether he was an actual character or rather a literary creation. Many famous historical figures – including even William the Conqueror – have tried to link their origins to the legendary Viking. Until modern times, however, noconclusive evidence has been presented that Ragnar actually lived.
The figure of Ragnar appears in such sources as the Gesta Danorum, the Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok and the Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, but the extant versions of these documents date from much later than the 9th century. They were written some three hundred years after Ragnar’s alleged life, which means they may be a mixture of historical fact, literary fiction and legends based on the achievements of several different Viking rulers.
In that era, it was the norm to attribute to one chieftain the deeds of his warriors and vassals, especially if they acted on his orders. Nevertheless, some elements of the Ragnar story seem to have a historical basis. The figure appears in Icelandic, Danish and even Frankish sources, where the Viking leader who invaded Paris in 845 is described. There are also records suggesting that Ragnar had famous sons, which further supports his legend.
Some researchers try to identify Ragnar Lodbrok with actual historical figures, such as:
- Reginherus (Ragnar) – a Viking chieftain who besieged Paris in 845,
- King Horik I – ruler of Denmark who died in 854,
- King Reginfrid – co-ruler of Denmark who was defeated and killed by Horik I,
- Ragnall (Ragnvald or Ragnar) – a figure appearing in the Irish chronicles.
Despite the many attempts to historically link Ragnar to one of these figures, coherent collation of the various sources and their chronologies proves extremely difficult. However, the persistence of the legend of the invincible Viking chieftain, who sowed fear in Europe in the 9th century and left behind famous descendants, suggests that there may be a true story behind the myths of Ragnar Lodbrok.
Etymology of the name Ragnar Lodbrok
The nickname “Lodbrok” literally means “hairy-breeches”. What events, however, caused Ragnar to be so named by his companions?
The nickname “hairy-breeches” comes from an unusual story that took place in Gautland, the land of the Gauts. It was there that Thora, daughter of jarl Herrud, lived, considered the most beautiful woman of her time. Because of her extraordinary grace and dignity, she was given the nickname Borgarhjört, which means “Deer of Gautland.”
One day her father gave her a young snake, which quickly grew until it became a huge, awe-inspiring creature. The reptile surrounded Thora’s home, guarding it like a sentinel, and as it grew, the gold the girl collected multiplied. In time, the beast became so large and dangerous that no one dared to approach its headquarters. Jar considered this situation disgraceful. So he took Thora’s hand and all the accumulated treasure to the one who manages to defeat the monster..
Upon hearing this, Ragnar decided to take up the challenge. He prepared an unusual outfit to help him in battle. He sewed his breeches and cloak from leather, leaving the fur on them, and then boiled them in tar, making them as hard as armor. The next day Ragnar set out alone to battle the guardian Thora. Using a spear, he mortally wounded the dragon, and from his wounds blood shot out corrosive like venom. Ragnar Lodbrok immediately turned his back on his defeated opponent, and a hairy outfit protected him from the deadly threat. It was this distinctive garment that earned him the nickname Lodbrok – “hairy-breeches”, which went down in history and became an integral part of his legend.
The true story of Ragnar Lodbrok
While his sons – Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan Ragnarsson, Björn Ironside, Ubba and Siegfried the Snake in the Eye – are considered historical figures, Ragnar Lodbrok himself remains a semi-legendary figure. Modern scholars question the authenticity of many stories about him, considering them to be later myths and literary exaggerations.
Many of the deeds attributed to him can be found in historical sources, but they are often associated with other leaders. Attempts to unequivocally link Ragnar to a specific historical figure end in failure, mainly due to contradictions in the sources and difficulties in establishing a consistent chronology of events.
Nevertheless, the legend of a Viking chieftain named Ragnar, who wreaked havoc in Europe in the 9th century and lived to see famous descendants, remains remarkably enduring. What’s more, some aspects of these tales are supported by relatively reliable historical sources, suggesting that at the core of the Ragnar Lodbrok myth may be an actual character or even several characters combined into a single legend. Below we will describe the most important achievements of Ragnar Lodbrok.
Conquest of England by Ragnar and his sons
Legends about Ragnar Lodbrok tell of his numerous invasions of the modern British Isles, which wreaked havoc among the kingdoms there. His descendants continued the tradition, but instead of conducting further plunder, they decided to conquer England permanently.
When Ragnar’s sons Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan Ragnarsson and Ubba grew up, they headed a massive military force known as the Great Heathen Army. This was a united army of Scandinavian warriors that in 865 invaded England with the intention of conquering and seizing the four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of East Anglia, Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex.
The goal of Great Heathen Army was not just plunder, but sustained conquest. Chronicles describe the army as one of the most powerful forces ever to invade England, and its military campaign lasted as long as 14 years, making a lasting mark on British history.
The Siege of Paris by Ragnar Lodbrok
In 845, Vikings led by a chieftain known as Reginherus – often identified with the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok – invaded and sacked Paris. This was the culmination of their invasion of the Kingdom of the West Franks, and the actions of the Scandinavian warriors wreaked havoc across what is now France.
Sailing up the Seine, Ragnar and his armed men attacked Rouen and then headed toward Paris. Fearing the destruction of the royal abbey of Saint-Denis, King Charles II the Bald mobilized an army and divided it into two parts, spreading his forces on both sides of the river. Ragnar first attacked and defeated one division of the Frankish army, and then took 111 soldiers captive, whom he sacrificed. This was an act to honor Odin, the Norse god of war, but also a psychological tactic to intimidate the rest of the Frankish troops.
The Besiege of Paris in 845 was one of the greatest successes of the Vikings in their plunder expeditions and is forever etched in European history.
Wives of Ragnar Lodbrok
According to the sagas, Ragnar Lodbrok had several wives, each of whom was distinguished by unusual qualities. His first wife was Lagertha, a famous shieldmaiden, known for her courage and fighting skills. In order to win her hand, Ragnar had to demonstrate extraordinary strength and valor,by defeating a bear and a huge dog with his own hands. Ragnar’s next wife was Thora Borgarhjǫrtr. Her hand he won after killing the great serpent or dragon that surrounded the house and guarded the treasure stored there. After Thora’s death, Ragnar married Kráka, a woman of extraordinary beauty and intelligence he met in Norway. At first she lived as a simple girl in the household of poor peasants, but later it turned out that in reality she was Aslaug, the daughter of the legendary hero Siegfried.
Children of Ragnar Lodbrok
Ragnar Lodbrok had numerous offspring who played an important role in the subsequent history of the Vikings. His sons became famous warriors and chieftains, leading raids into England and other European territories. With Lagertha Ragnar had a son Fridleif and two daughters. .
The union with Thora resulted in the birth of Ragnar Lodbrok’s most famous sons with names:
- Radbard,
- Dunvat,
- Sigurd Snake in the Eye,
- Björn Ironside
- Agnar,
- Ivar the Boneless.
Ragnar also had a son Ubbe, who came from an illegitimate union with a woman whose name is not preserved in the sources. In his last marriage to Aslaug, he lived to have further sons named after him:
- Ragnvald,
- Eric Weatherhat,
- Hvitserk
Ragnar Lodbrok Vikings – TV series vs reality
The story of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons in the “Vikings” series has been faithfully reproduced against historical sources, although the creators have taken the liberty of making some modifications and adding their own plot threads. Despite these modifications, the series can be considered a good resource for people who are just beginning to learn about Viking culture and Norse mythology. The production captures the realities of the era, showing the daily life of the Scandinavians, their beliefs, rituals and the way they waged war. As a result, “Vikings” not only provides spectacular entertainment, but also introduces viewers to the world of the legendary warriors of the north.
Ragnar Lodbrok actor
In the series “Vikings” the role of the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok was played by Travis Fimmel. His charismatic performance made viewers love the character, recognizing that the actor was the perfect candidate to play it. Fimmel gave Ragnar a unique character, combining both the rawness of a warrior and the intelligence and unpredictability of a leader. After the release of the series, Ragnar gained tremendous notoriety, becoming a permanent fixture in pop culture as one of the most iconic figures associated with Viking history.
How Ragnar conquered Paris
One of the most memorable scenes in the “Vikings” series is the moment when Ragnar faked his death in order to receive an honorary funeral in a Parisian palace. Thanks to this ruse, the Viking leader, along with his armaments, was brought inside the city, making it easier for the Vikings to lay siege to Paris. Although this scene was extremely spectacular, in fact, there are no historical sources confirming such a course of events. It was a plot fully invented by the series creators, adding drama to the storyline.
What did Ragnar take?
In the “Vikings” series, Ragnar Lodbrok takes a mysterious drug administered by Yidu, which has strong pain-relieving and hallucinogenic effects. Although many viewers are inclined to the theory that it is opium, the answer to this question is not clear. Because of the psychedelic properties of the drug and the variety of plants that Yidu collects and grinds, it is difficult to determine exactly what the substance is. There is a possibility that the medicine could contain opium, but it could just as well be something more exotic. Because of the drug’s appearance, a theory pointing to betel nut is also popular. This plant, however, does not produce effects such as we can observe in Ragnar.
Ragnar Lodbrok date and place of death
According to legend Ragnar died in Britain in 865 in the kingdom of Northumbria, thrown into a pit full of venomous snakes on the orders of King Aella of Nortumbria. Initially, this was intended as a kind of torture to force a confession that the imprisoned warrior was the famous Ragnar Lodbrok. The hero, despite the dire circumstances, did not get a word out, and the snakes ignored his presence. Then Aella ordered the Viking’s clothing and armor to be removed, and he was thrown back into the pit with the snakes. Then the animals began furiously attacking the warrior, and he spoke for the first time shouting:.
Fifty-one
battles I have survived,
Battles full of glory, during which
I inflicted much harm on my enemies;
I did not expect that an ordinary snake
would become my undoing;
very often things go like this,
as you least expect.
After a moment of silence, he was to continue:
The young pigs will squeal,
when they find out what happened to the old one
and what harm was done to me;
snakes sink their sinister teeth in and bite hard,
And suck me dry;
my body soon
among the monsters will die.
The quote comes from the Polish-language book “Legenda wikingów. Opowieści o Ragnarze Lodbroku, jego żonach i synach” by Artur Szrejter. The translation into English was made by the author of the article and is not an original record.
Then the king realized that the captured Viking was Ragnar Lodbrok and was overwhelmed with horror at the thought of imminent revenge. He ordered messengers to be sent to tell Ragnar’s sons of his death, but few were willing to undertake such a risky expedition. The events were the reason for the armed expedition of Ragnar’s sons, which we will describe in a separate article.
How did Ragnar of “Vikings” die?
In the “Vikings” series, Ragnar Lodbrok dies in a dramatic manner that aims to bring closure to his story and pass on his legacy. The series creators accurately reproduced some elements of the death, especially his last speech, according to the sources. Ragnar was captured by King Aelle and sentenced to death by being thrown into a pit full of snakes. This brutal scene was faithfully reproduced, showing a dignified acceptance of fate by the most prominent Viking.
However, the series’ creators also added an element that is not confirmed in the sources. Ragnar’s sons learn of his death through the strange behavior of ravens. This scene has no historical basis, but it is an important motif in the series that highlights the significance of Ragnar’s death and the impact it had on his descendants.
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