Ragnar Lothbrok had three wives; Lagertha Lagertha was, according to legend, a Viking shieldmaiden and ruler from what is now Norway, and the onetime wife of the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. Her tale, as recorded by the chronicler Saxo in the 12th century, may be a reflection of tales about Thorgerd, a Norse deity. A shield-maiden, in Scandinavian folklore and mythology was a female warrior. They are often mentioned in sagas such as Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks and in Gesta Danorum. Shield-maidens also appear in stories of other Germanic peoples: Goths, Cimbri, and Marcomanni. The mythical valkyries may have been based on the shield-maidens. Aslaug, also called Aslög, Kráka or Kraba, is a figure in Norse mythology who appears in Snorri's Edda, the Völsunga saga and in the saga of Ragnar Lodbrok as his third wife.Lagertha
Shield-maiden
Aslaug
How many wives did Ragnar Lothbrok have?
three wivesLegends tell us that Ragnar – son of King Sigurd Hring – had three wives, the third of whom was Aslaug, who bore him sons Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, all three of whom would grow greater in stature and fame than he.
Who was Ragnar's first wife?
LagerthaLagertha is the first wife of Ragnar Lothbrok. She is an Earl, a strong shield-maiden and a force to be reckoned with. She has always fought in the shield-wall alongside the men. Although fate has pulled her apart from Ragnar, it seems that the gods must have a plan to bring them back together, where they belong.
Which wife did Ragnar love more?
Vikings: 10 Episodes That Prove Ragnar and Lagertha Were Soulmates. On Vikings, it was obvious that Ragnar and Lagertha never loved anyone else as much as they loved each other.
Did Ragnar have any daughters?
Gyda RagnarsdatterRagnhild RagnarsdatterAlof RagnarsdatterRagnar Lothbrok/Daughters
Did Lagertha sleep with Rollo?
It was revealed that Lagertha had slept with Rollo, an affair that resulted in Bjorn being born. Ragnar blindly thought that Bjorn was his son, yet he was actually Rollo's. Lagertha's betrayal was obviously greater than Ragnar's. In that regard, her reaction couldn't be justified.
Who does Lagertha sleep with?
3 Astrid. The shieldmaiden begins sleeping with Lagertha in the fourth season. She later marries Harald and becomes Queen of the Kingdom of Vestfold-Rogaland but opts to die rather than live a life without Lagertha. Astrid is not the perfect lover but there is never a doubt that she loves Lagertha.
Who was Ragnar Lothbrok true love?
Lagertha was Ragnar's first wife, nothing can really top the first marriage. She was Ragnar's first real love, and it seems that they had fallen out only because Ragnar wanted more children that Lagertha couldn't give him. Nevertheless, it is almost impossible to call their marriage a failure.
Who did Lagertha marry?
Lagertha and Ragnar Lothbrok in 'Vikings' Lagertha is married to Ragnar throughout season 1 of the series, and when he becomes the Earl of Kattegat, she follows him to their new home. They clearly love each other and have been together for many years.
Why did Aslaug leave Vikings?
The show's creators wanted to move on to the next generation of Vikings. This plot move wasn't just about Aslaug. After four seasons anchored around Fimmel's King Ragnar, Vikings creator Michael Hirst felt that it was time to move on and tell the stories of the next generation.
Does Lagertha marry again?
In the time that passes, Ragnar becomes the father to several sons by Aslaug, fulfilling the prophecy. Lagertha has since remarried, settling in Hedeby with the wealthy Earl Sigvard.
Did Vikings share their wife?
There is no record of Vikings sharing their wives. If anything, the available evidence suggests that Viking men of high status often had several female partners apart from their wives. This left low-ranking Viking men at a disadvantage when securing partners for themselves.
Did Ragnar Lothbrok have 2 wives?
From a non-marital relationship with an unnamed woman (described only as a daughter of a man named Esbjørn), Ragnar fathered Ubbe. Another, final marriage, to Svanlaug (possibly another name for Aslaug) produces another three sons: Ragnvald, Eric Weatherhat and Hvitserk.
Who is Ragnar Lothbrok's wife?
Lagertha the Shieldmaiden, Ragnar Lothbrok’s Wife. Lagertha the Shieldmaiden was a Norwegian historical figure and one of Ragnar Lothbrok’s wives as depicted in History Channel’s TV series, Vikings. She was born in A.C. 795 and although there is no certain information regarding her exact time of death, it is assumed to be around the mid-9th century.
What is Ragnar Lothbrok's real story?
Read the detailed post about Ragnar Lothbrok here: Ragnar Lothbrok/Lodbrok (Vikings),The Real Story: His Life, Death, Wives and Children. Saxo’s account tells of the bravery of these women in the brothel fighting Frø and helping Ragnar. Lagertha was described in Gesta Danorum as “ a woman with the courage of a man who fought fearlessly ”.
Why did Ragnar Lothbrok divorce Lagertha?
Ragnar Lothbrok had to return to Denmark to deal with the civil war in the country and later divorced Lagertha in order to marry King Herrauðr’s (Herraud) daughter, Thora Borgarhjört ( Thora Town-Hart). After returning from his journey to win Thora’s hand in marriage, Ragnar had to fight a civil war for another time in Denmark.
How old was Lagertha when he was born?
Also, he was born around the year 860, approximately 20 years after Ragnar Lothbrok’s assumed death. By that time Lagertha would also be 65 years old. Read our detailed post on Rollo: Rollo the Viking Duke of Normandy.
Why is Lodbrok called Lothbrok?
The epithet/nickname “Lodbrok/Lothbrok” was given to Ragnar Lodbrok/Lothbrok because of his hairy breeches (or dirty breeches according to some versions of the story). So, it would not be that accurate to call the famous shieldmaiden “Lagertha Lothbrok” as it was not actually a surname for Ragnar.
Who was Lagertha in the Norwegian king?
Lagertha was a member of Norwegian King Siward’s court/household. After Frø, Sweden’s king of the time, attacked and invaded Norway, he killed Siward and put the royal women in his family in a brothel to humiliate them. Upon getting the news about his grandfather’s demise and what Frø did to his family, Ragnar Lothbrok came to avenge Siward ...
Who did Lagertha meet?
Lagertha’s Life and Meeting with Ragnar Lothbrok. According to Gesta Danorum (“Deeds of the Danes”) by Saxo Grammaticus, one of the few sources containing information regarding Lagertha’s life and deeds, Lagertha’s meeting with Ragnar happened while Ragnar was on a journey of revenge. Lagertha was a member of Norwegian King Siward’s court/household.
Who is Ragnar Lodbrok's father?
He also appears in Norse legends, and according to the legendary sagas Ragnarssona þáttr and Sögubrot af nokkrum fornkonungum, Ragnar Lodbrok's father was the legendary king of the Swedes, Sigurd Ring.
What is the story of Ragnar Lodbrok?
The Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok, Tale of Ragnar's Sons, and Heimskringla all tell of the Great Heathen Army that invaded England at around 866, led by the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok to wreak revenge against King Ælla of Northumbria who is told to have captured and executed Ragnar.
What was Ragnar's nickname?
The unusual protective clothes that Ragnar wore, when attacking the serpent, earned him the nickname Lodbrok ("shaggy breeches"). His sons with Thora were Erik and Agnar. After Thora died, he discovered Kráka, a woman of outstanding beauty and wisdom living with a poor peasant couple in Norway, and married her.
What is Ragnar Lothbrok known for?
According to the traditional literature, Ragnar Lothbrok distinguished himself by conducting many raids against the British Isles and the Holy Roman Empire during the 9th century.
What was the name of the battle that the Vikings fought?
According to the contemporary Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Asser 's Life of Alfred, in 878 the "brother of Hingwar and Healfden", with a naval fleet, a contingent of the Great Heathen Army invaded Devon in England and fought the Battle of Cynwit. There the Vikings lost, their king slain and many dead, with few escaping to their ships. After the battle the Saxons took great plunder, and among other things the banner called "Raven". The early 12th century Annals of St Neots further state that "they say that the three sisters of Hingwar and Hubba, daughters of Lodebroch (Lodbrok), wove that flag and got it ready in one day. They say, moreover, that in every battle, wherever the flag went before them, if they were to gain the victory a live crow would appear flying on the middle of the flag; but if they were doomed to be defeated it would hang down motionless, and this was often proved to be so." This is among the earlier references to the legendary hero Ragnar Lodbrok.
What does the Sagas of Scandinavian Prehistory tell us about Ragnar?
In their accounts of his reign, the Sagas of Scandinavian Prehistory, known as fornaldarsaga tell more about Ragnar's marriages than about feats of warfare. According to the Sögubrot, "he was the biggest and fairest of men that human eyes have seen, and he was like his mother in appearance and took after her kin".
Who was the king of Sweden and Denmark?
Legendary king of Sweden and Denmark. Lothbrocus and sons Ivar and Ubba, 15th-century miniature in Harley MS 2278 folio 39r. Ragnar Lothbrok or Lodbrok ( Old Norse: Ragnarr Loðbrók, "Ragnar shaggy breeches", Modern Icelandic: Ragnar Loðbrók) is a legendary Viking hero, as well as a legendary Danish and Swedish king.
Who is Ragnar Lothbrok?
Scourge of England and France, father of the Great Heathen Army and lover to the mythical queen As laug, the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok has enchanted story tellers and historians for almost a millennium. Immortalised in the Icelandic sagas of the thirteenth century, the semi-legendary Norse leader has since become familiar with modern audiences ...
When did Ragnar die?
It would seem therefore that his death at the hands of Aella in a pit of snakes has its roots in myth rather than history, for it seems probable that Ragnar perished sometime between 852 and 856 during his travels along the Irish Sea.
Who was the Viking raider in 840 AD?
In the same way that Ivar the Boneless and Imár of Dublin are considered the same person, Ragnall and Reginherus are believed to be Ragnar Lothbrok.
Is Ragnar Lodbrok's son inaccurate?
Intriguingly, though the Icelandic sagas that detail Ragnar’s life are oft considered inaccurate, many of his sons lived in the right places and times to match the deeds mentioned – and indeed his sons claimed to be the offspring of Ragnar himself. King Ella’s messengers stand before Ragnar Lodbrok ’s sons.
Who were the Vikings of York?
Vikings of York. History of England. Ragnar Lothbrok, Erik Bloodaxe and Harald Hardrada are a trio of legendary Viking warriors. Towards the end of their careers, each man sailed his longships upriver to Jorvik, or York. Not one of them survived to make the journey home... more details. Search for: Search. Popular searches.
Is Ragnar's relationship with King Aella fabricated?
However, while Ragnar’s relationship with King Aella is likely fabricated, his relationship with his sons may not have been. Of his sons, significantly more evidence exists as to their authenticity – Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan Ragnarsson and Bjorn Ironside are all genuine figures in history.
Why did Ragnar Lodbrok come with an army?
Hearing of this, Ragnar Lodbrok came with an army to avenge his grandfather Siward. Many of the women Frø had ordered abused dressed themselves in men's clothing and fought on Ragnar's side. Chief among them, and key to Ragnar's victory, was Lagertha. Saxo recounts:
Why did Ragnar divorce Lagertha?
After returning to Denmark to fight a civil war, Ragnar (who, according to Saxo, was still annoyed that Lagertha had set beasts against him) divorced Lagertha in order to marry Thora Borgarhjört (Þóra Borgarhjǫrtr), daughter of King Herraud (Herrauðr) of Sweden.
What is Lathgertha's name?
Her name as recorded by Saxo, Lathgertha, is likely a Latinisation of the Old Norse Hlaðgerðr (Hlathgerth). It is frequently rendered in English-language sources as "Lagertha", and has also been recorded as Ladgertha, Ladgerda or similar.
How many ships did Ragnar have?
Ragnar sent to Norway for support, and Lagertha, who still loved him, came to his aid with 120 ships, according to Saxo.
Where did Lagertha live?
Life according to Saxo Grammaticus. According to Saxo, Lagertha lived in the Gaula valley in western Norway, marked on this map. Lagertha's tale is recorded in passages in the ninth book of the Gesta Danorum, a twelfth-century work of Danish history by the Christian historian Saxo Grammaticus.
How many ships did Hilda Ellis Davidson give to Lagertha?
She gives him twenty ships to help defeat his enemies. Hilda Ellis Davidson, in her commentary on the Gesta, also notes suggestions in the literature that the name was used by the Franks, for instance by Luitgarde of Vermandois (c. 914–978), and that the tale of Lagertha could have originated in Frankish tradition.
Who saved the day for Ragnar?
When at the height of the battle, Ragnar's son Siward was wounded, Lagertha saved the day for Ragnar with a counter-attack: Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver.
Who was Ragnar Lothbrok?
According to medieval sources, Ragnar Lothbrok was a Danish king and Viking warrior who flourished in the 9th century. There is much ambiguity in what is thought to be known about him, and it has its roots in the European literature created after his death.
Who played Ragnar in Vikings?
In the early 21st century he was a central figure in the popular television series Vikings. Vikings: Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok. Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok in the TV series Vikings, 2016.
What was Ragnar's motivation?
…brothers’ motivation was to avenge their father, who had died after being captured while raiding the kingdom of Northumbria. Ragnar supposedly had been cast into a pit full of venomous snakes by order of the Northumbrian king Aella. Ivar’s forces landed in the kingdom of East Anglia, where they met…
Who was the Viking king who was killed by a snake pit?
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.
Who captured Ragnar?
According to Saxo’s legendary history, Ragnar was eventually captured by the Anglo-Saxon king Aella of Northumbria and thrown into a snake pit to die. This story is also recounted in the later Icelandic works Ragnars saga loðbrókar and Þáttr af Ragnarssonum.
Where did Ivar's forces land?
Ivar’s forces landed in the kingdom of East Anglia, where they met…. Viking. Viking, member of the Scandinavian seafaring warriors who raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the 9th to the 11th century and whose disruptive influence profoundly affected European history.
What is a legend?
Formerly the term legend meant a tale about a saint. Legends resemble folktales in content; they may include supernatural beings, elements of mythology, or explanations of natural phenomena, but they are associated with a particular locality….
Who is Ragnar Lodbrok's wife?
Danish history includes mention of a possible fourth wife, Swanloga. Ragnar Lodbrok meets Aslaug, a secret daughter of the renowned hero Sigurd Fafnesbane.
Who is Lodbrok's third wife?
His third wife, Aslaug, was said to be the daughter of legendary dragon slayer, Sigurd, and the shieldmaiden, Brynhildr. Lodbrok asked her a riddle during their courtship, and proposed to her soon after, charmed by her clever response.
What is the main source of Lodbrok's life and heroic deeds?
The main source telling of Lodbrok’s life and heroic deeds in the Icelandic sagas is the 13th-century Icelandic ‘The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok’. (Other sagas mentioning him include Heimskringla, Sögubrot, Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, and Hervarar Saga).
How did Lodbrok die?
Although this story is also recounted in the later Icelandic works (Ragnars saga loðbrókar and Þáttr af Ragnarssonum), other historians believe Lodbrok died sometime between 852-856 during a storm on one of his voyages along the Irish Sea whilst pillaging the coasts of Ireland.
What is the Viking age?
The word Viking means “pirate raid” in Old Norse, and the age of the Vikings (between 700-1100 AD) is indeed famed for its warriors’ bloodthirsty aggression. Arguably the most famous Viking warrior was the semi-legendary sea king, Ragnar Lodbrok ( Ragnarr Loðbrók in Old Norse), who supposedly led raids along England’s coast.
What tactics did Lodbrok use?
Like other Vikings, several sources note how Lodbrok used blitzkrieg-like tactics. These terrorised, demoralised and overwhelmed his opponents before they could gather a strong-enough force to oppose him. He also only fought when the odds were in his favour.
What did Lodbrok do to protect Thora?
This derives from Lodbrok allegedly boiling his cow-hide trousers in tar which he claimed protected him from the snake (or dragon, according to some sources) whilst winning his second wife Thora’s hand in marriage.
Overview
Ragnar Lodbrok was a legendary Viking hero, as well as a legendary Danish and Swedish king. He is known from Old Norse poetry of the Viking Age, Icelandic sagas, and near-contemporary chronicles. According to the traditional literature, Ragnar distinguished himself by conducting many raids against the British Isles and the Holy Roman Empire during the 9th century. He also appears in Norse le…
Accounts
According to the Tale of Ragnar Lodbrok, Tale of Ragnar's Sons, Heimskringla, Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, Sögubrot af nokkrum fornkonungum, and many other Icelandic sources, Ragnar was the son of the king of Sweden Sigurd Ring. Nearly all of the sagas agree that the Danish king Randver was Sigurd's father, with the Hervarar saga citing his wife as Åsa, the daughter of King Harald of the Red Mo…
Ragnar's sons
The Great Heathen Army is said to have been led by the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, to wreak revenge against King Ælla of Northumbria who had previously executed Ragnar by casting him into a pit full of venomous snakes. Among the organizers were at least some of the brothers: Ivar the Boneless, Ubba, Halfdan, Björn Ironside, Hvitserk, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, all of whom are known as …
Sources and historical accuracy
Whereas Ragnar's sons Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan Ragnarsson, Björn Ironside, Ubba and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye are historical figures, opinion regarding their father is divided. Contemporary academia regards most of the stories about him to be fiction. According to Hilda Ellis Davidson, writing in 1979,
Certain scholars in recent years have come to accept at least part of Ragnar's …
In literature and media
Ragnar Lodbrok features prominently in the following works:
• Edwin Atherstone's 1830 novel Sea-Kings in England.
• Edison Marshall's 1951 novel The Viking.
• "Ragnar le Viking", a 1955 comic book feature written by Jean Ollivier with art by Eduardo Teixeira Coelho, that ran in the French Vaillant magazine up to 1969.
See also
• List of legendary kings of Denmark
• List of legendary kings of Sweden
Further reading
• Forte, Angelo, Richard Oram, and Frederik Pedersen (2005). Viking Empires. Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-82992-5.
• "Krákumál", Reallexikon der germanischen Altertumskunde, Vol. 17 (2001), p. 299-302.
• McTurk, Rory (1991). Studies in Ragnars saga loðbrókar and Its Major Scandinavian Analogues. Medium Aevum Monographs. Vol. 15. Oxford. ISBN 0-907570-08-9.