---
title: Ragnar Lothbrok
author: Emma Groeneveld
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-02-04
---

# Ragnar Lothbrok

_Authored by [Emma Groeneveld](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/emmagroeneveld1/)_

Ragnar Lothbrok (Old Norse *Ragnarr Loðbrók*, also anglicised as Ragnar Lodbrok), whose epithet means 'Hairy-breeches' or 'Shaggy-breeches', was a legendary [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/) king, with Old Norse sagas, poetry, and medieval Latin sources telling of his accomplishments in Scandinavia, Francia, and Anglo-[Saxon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/) [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) during the 9th century CE. Commonly occurring elements in these stories are his marriages to Thora and Aslaug, as well as his fathering of many famous sons including [Ivar the Boneless](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ivar_the_Boneless/), [Bjorn Ironside](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bjorn_Ironside/), Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Hvitserk, and Ubba. A possible third wife, [Lagertha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lagertha/), only appears in the 13th-century CE *Gesta Danorum*, a work on Danish history, as does a fourth, Swanloga.

Perhaps the most iconic titbits of his legend are Ragnar's successful fight with a dragon – for which he fashioned his defining shaggy breeches as protection – and his slightly overconfident invasion of England with just two ships, which ended with him being captured by King Ælla of [Northumbria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kingdom_of_Northumbria/) (r. c. 866 CE), who had him killed by throwing him into a snake-pit. Whereas Ragnar's own historicity is highly disputed, some of his alleged sons are often thought to have some basis in actual historical figures.

### *The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok*

The best-known and main source telling of Ragnar's life and heroic deeds is the 13th-century Icelandic *The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok* (Old Norse: *Ragnars saga loðbrókar*). It is part of the *fornaldarsögur* genre – legendary sagas whose stories took place before Iceland's colonisation from the 870s CE onward - and fit in neatly with the wave of Icelandic saga-[writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) that engulfed the island around this time. These types of heroic legends tended to link back to the mythical beginnings of historical Scandinavian families and often ended with their champion's [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/). *The* *Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok* shows Ragnar as the ancestor of an Icelandic family and depicts independent rulers of various kingdoms interacting with each other, as well as, fitting with the genre, ending with his death.

The story opens with the childhood of Aslaug, who will go on to become Ragnar's second wife. We are told she is the daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild (the legendary dragonslayer and the [Valkyrie](https://www.worldhistory.org/Valkyrie/) from Germanic [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) further popularised by Wagner), who die when Aslaug is only three years old. She grows up in Norway, taken in by a poor family who name her Kráka ('crow') and keep her parentage hidden.

Meanwhile, Ragnar, who is the son of King Sigurd Ring of Denmark, grows up to be handsome and martially adept, "good to his men and cruel to his enemies", and a top warrior whom few could equal (*The Saga of the Volsungs with The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok*, 89). His first exploit is assisting the jarl of Götaland, Herruð, with his dragon-problem – a snake grown out of proportion within their town. With a new outfit of shaggy trousers and cloak boiled in pitch, he spears the dragon to death while his clothes protect him from the fiend's blood, receiving the jarl's daughter Thora's hand in marriage as a reward. Their marriage is a happy one and results in two sons, Eirek and Agnar. When Thora falls ill and dies, a heartbroken Ragnar goes raiding rather than ruling, and one summer he sails to Norway and stumbles upon the farm where Kráka lives. Desiring to marry her when he learns of her beauty, he sets her a test of wisdom – basically a riddle to solve – which she passes with flying colours.

[ ![Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/9136.jpg?v=1703005086) Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers August Malmström (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9136/ragnar-lothbroks-sons--king-aellas-messengers/ "Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers")Their children include the literally boneless Ivar the Boneless – a result of a curse placed on Kráka if her husband was too eager on her wedding night and thus entirely Ragnar's fault – as well as Bjorn Ironside, Hvitserk, and Rognvald, who all go on to have adventures. All this time, Ragnar thinks Kráka is a simple peasant girl, and he is eventually convinced to marry the daughter of the Swedish king instead. However, Aslaug has by now reclaimed her own name and ancestry and tells Ragnar about it, proving her point by foretelling that their next son will be born with eyes with snakes in them. Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye consequently rescues their marriage.

The unfinished business with the Swedish king, whose daughter's engagement had abruptly ended, leads to a series of events including Eirek and Agnar trying to [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) the Swedes but encountering a magical cow that protects the Swedish army, and Aslaug changing her name to Randalín and taking her sons into the battle, too. They successfully turn the tide. The saga finishes with Ragnar swearing a boastful oath that he will invade England with just two ships, which turns out to be foolish. He is captured by King Ælla of Northumbria and thrown into a snake-pit, where he dies, but is avenged by his sons who bring their might to England. According to this story, they torture Ælla to death by performing the notorious (and probably not historical) blood-eagle on him.

### *The Tale of Ragnar's Sons*

Following directly upon the above story, sometime between the late 13th and early 14th century CE, again in Iceland, *The* *Tale of Ragnar's Sons* (*Ragnarssona þáttr*) was written. It was set up to be an 'improvement' upon *The* *Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok* and depicts a bigger Viking [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) stretching to Norway, England, and the Baltic. This is instantly apparent at the start, where Ragnar is said to be the son of King Hring who had territories in Sweden and Denmark, which Ragnar ruled over after his father's death, and unmistakable in the last paragraphs that show his sons ruling various kingdoms across England, parts of Denmark, Germany, the Baltic, Sweden, and Norway. This work includes his sons Eirek and Agnar by Thora, and Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Hvitserk, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye by Aslaug.

*The* *Tale of Ragnar's Sons* preserves most of the core elements of *The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok* story, with some altered details, summaries, omissions, and the addition after Ragnar's death of a lengthy extrapolation on the exploits on his sons. Ragnar himself is moreover shown as ruler of multiple realms and as a good and just overlord of his tributary kings. However, here, Ragnar is the ancestor of only the Danish kings and the Norwegian royal dynasties; interestingly for a work produced by an Icelander, Iceland is left out of the matter entirely.

### *Ragnarsdrápa*

Amongst these 13th-century CE or later works concerning Ragnar, the Old Norse skaldic – or courtly – poem *Ragnarsdrápa* ("the poem about Ragnar") catches the eye with its attribution to the 9th-century CE Norwegian court poet Bragi Boddason. The poem describes mythological scenes painted or carved on a shield which was allegedly gifted to Bragi by a man named Ragnar, who is identified by another Old Norse poem to be Ragnar Lothbrok. However, doubt has been cast on this identification, as it may just as easily refer to some later Ragnar instead, and the dubious historicity of Ragnar Lothbrok does not speak in favour of him having had direct contact with the historical Bragi.

### *Krákumál*

The 12th-century CE Old Norse skaldic poem *Krákumál* (meaning "words of the crow", better known in English as *The Death-Song of Ragnar Lothbrok*) zooms in on a specific part of the Ragnar-legend: his death. The poem ties in with the commonly told story of Ragnar's capture by Ælla of Northumbria, who throws him into a snake-pit to die, and presents itself as Ragnar's death-song, composed by him while he was waiting for his rather slow death at the hands (well, fangs) of the creatures. However, it is not likely to actually be written by Ragnar. Even if he was historical, which is doubtful, the poem's language is that of the 12th century CE, not the 9th in which Ragnar would have lived, and it does not bear the Danish features you would expect from a Danish Viking.

As befits a Viking hero, Ragnar reminisces on all his battles and the daring feats he has performed during life, all stanzas except the last beginning with the striking line "We cut with a sword". Gradually succumbing to the venom, he speaks out the hope that his sons will avenge him. After tallying up the score of his life, he realises he has no reason to fear death because he will surely be admitted into [Odin](https://www.worldhistory.org/odin/)'s Hall, [Valhalla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Valhalla/), to feast there. Ragnar ends with an optimistic "laughing I shall die" (in Old Norse: *læjandi skalk deyja*).

The poem presents a slightly different version of the Ragnar legend as it mentions several locations and people that are not present in later material such as the 13th-century CE *The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok* or the *Gesta Danorum*.

### Other Old Norse Sources

While Ragnar clearly features heavily in certain sources, there are also more indirect mentions in other Old Norse sources tying in with his life and legend. Two other Icelandic *fornaldarsögur* carry his [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/). Firstly, *Bósa saga ok Herrauðs*, written around 1300 CE, has the eponymous Herrauðr as the father of Ragnar's first wife, Thora. Secondly, the early 14th-century CE *Hálfdanar saga Eysteinssonar* depicts its hero as the great-great-grandson of Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ragnar's son. Further, *Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss* (possibly 14th century CE) contains a character named Raknarr who is equated with Ragnar Lothbrok by some scholars. Glimpses can also be caught of our hero in the skaldic poem *Háttalykill* composed c. 1142 CE by a jarl from Orkney, Rögnvaldr [kali](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kali/) Kolsson, and Hallr Þórarinsson, an Icelander. Only fragments have been preserved of the part of the poem referencing Ragnar, though, and so besides mentioning a boneless person and hinting at Ragnar's meeting with King Ælla, it does not add much more to the tradition.

[ ![Saxo's Gesta Danorum](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/9134.jpg?v=1703005089) Saxo's Gesta Danorum Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9134/saxos-gesta-danorum/ "Saxo's Gesta Danorum")### The Latin Sources

Ragnar's legend spread beyond the Old Norse language, too, into Latin works from medieval Denmark, England, and France. The *Gesta Normannorum ducum* ("Deeds of the Norman Dukes") written in the mid-11th century CE by the Norman monk William of Jumièges, has Ragnar sitting comfortably at home in his Danish kingdom while a son of his wreaks havoc all over France. Similarly differing from the main line of Ragnar's legend, the c. 1140 CE *Brevis historia regum Dacie*, a chronicle of Danish kings, depicts one of Ragnar's sons as conqueror and king of Denmark. The mid-12th century CE *De infantia Sancti Edmundi* written in England has Ragnar and three sons leading the Danish invasion of England. This may reference the historical Viking landing of a large army in East Anglia in 865 CE, set out to [conquer](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) all Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England. A figure traditionally identified as Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking chieftain named Reginherus, is named in the 9th-century CE Frankish *Annals of St. Bertin* as leading the invasion on [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/) in 845 CE, but being paid a huge sum to leave by the Frankish ruler Charles the Bald (r. 840–877 CE).

This sequence is actually incorporated in the TV series *[Vikings](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/)* in which Ragnar is portrayed by Travis Fimmel; the purpose of this series is entertainment not historical accuracy and this event fits that theme, too. Rather than the historically more weak position of the chieftain who assailed Paris, the Ragnar of the series is in a strong position all the way through, although he cannot take the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and is paid to leave. He is shown being baptised by the [Franks](https://www.worldhistory.org/Franks/), feigning death, having his son Bjorn Ironside request he be given a Christian funeral, and has his casket brought into the Paris cathedral. Ragnar then leaps out, takes a hostage and opens the gate for Lagertha (see below), his show-brother Rollo (inspired by [Rollo of Normandy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rollo_of_Normandy/)) and his army. Such a striking moment is not out of place in the broader Ragnar legends and thus the TV series adds its own notes to his colourful legacy.

The main Latin source devoting many pages to Ragnar Lothbrok is the *Gesta Danorum* ("Deeds of the Danes") probably written in the early 13th century CE by Saxo Grammaticus. It kicks off with Ragnar sallying across Denmark and Norway, where he meets Lagertha (or Lathgertha, likely a Latinisation of the Old Norse *Hlaðgerðr*), who is not named in any other source. She is described as

> …a skilled [amazon](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/), who, though a maiden, had the courage of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back betrayed that she was a woman. (IX).

Ragnar marries her but later divorces her for a lack of trustworthiness, after which the familiar Thora-and-the-dragon story proceeds in embellished fashion, with Ragnar battling not one but two huge [serpents](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Serpents/). After her untimely death, Ragnar goes raiding far and wide, and eventually marries Swanloga, with whom he has sons Ragnald, Hwitserk and Erik. When Swanloga, too, dies of a disease, Ragnar unleashes his fury on England, slaying King Hame, father of Ælla, of Northumbria. Ælla then seeks out Ragnar's accomplices among the Irish, punishing them, after which Ragnar gathers a fleet and attacks him but fails, and the familiar snake-pit and succeeding revenge by his sons follow. A stand-out element of the *Gesta* is another son, Ubba (or Ubbe), who is a result of Ragnar tricking a farm-daughter and getting her pregnant. He also appears in the *Annals of St. Neotts* (12th century CE) as the brother of Ivar, both being described as the sons of Lothbrok.

### A Historical King?

Dragons and other obviously mythical elements aside, the question of whether Ragnar Lothbrok himself actually existed as a historical figure is difficult to answer definitively, especially when dealing with sources that are far from unanimous in what they say about him. Moreover, the period of the legends – the 9th century CE – is not well covered in historical sources. The legends themselves, although springing up at least as early as the 12th century CE, also postdate their subject matter by a fair bit. Many Viking names were also quite common, making the identification of individuals much harder.

[ ![Great Viking Army in England, 865-878 CE](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/9135.png?v=1777484711) Great Viking Army in England, 865-878 CE Hel-hama (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9135/great-viking-army-in-england-865-878-ce/ "Great Viking Army in England, 865-878 CE")Certain events in the 9th century, such as the siege of Paris in 845 CE, are historical, as are certain persons such as the English king Ælla of Northumbria who reigned around 866 CE when a Viking invasion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms shook the lands. As far as we know, outside of the Ragnar legends, the reasons for this invasion have nothing to do with anyone seeking vengeance for their father's death, though. The *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* does mention a 'Hingwar' and 'Hubba' as chieftains of this great Viking army, as well as a certain 'Halfdene' (*Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* for 870 & 871 CE). They have often been connected with Ragnar's sons Ivar the Boneless and Ubba - with 'Halfdene' or Halfdan possibly representing the Hvitserk of the Old Norse tradition - although contemporary chronicles are entirely silent on this matter. King Ælla's historical death is noted in the *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* too: he is said to have been slain in battle with Viking forces at York in 867 CE, with no mention being made of the gruesome blood-eagle torture method perpetuated by the Ragnar legend.

As for Ragnar himself, as far as we know, there was no one historical person that matches his alleged deeds (and sons) to any proper degree. It is more likely that in the centuries after the adventurous 9th-century Viking heyday of raids, stories cropped up to unify various historical events and known persons under one roof. Several historians have indeed argued that Ragnar Lothbrok may be an amalgam of various historical figures, tied together into one mythical hero who was the scourge of 9th-century CE northern [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) and father of many famous sons. Perhaps the historical figures who became known as Ragnar's sons were famous enough to be assigned such a prestigious ancestry.

Candidates who may have been cool enough to be immortalised in heroic stories as Ragnar Lothbrok are the Danish King Horik I (r. 827-854 CE), who actively raided the Frankish lands of Louis the Pious, son of [Charlemagne](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charlemagne/); King Reginfrid of Denmark (d. 814 CE); the Norse chieftain Reginherus who led the Viking attack on Paris in 845 CE but who is mysteriously unknown outside of this one single event; the Reghnall (or Raghnall) appearing in the Irish Annals; or the father of the Viking leaders involved in the invasion of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms in 865 CE.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- Ashman Rowe, Elizabeth. "Ragnars saga loðbrókar, Ragnarssona þáttr, and the Political World of Haukr Erlendsson." *Fornaldarsagaerne. Myter og virkelighed*, edited by Agneta Ney, Ármann Jakobsson & Annette Lassen. Copenhagen, 2008, 347-360.
- Ashman Rowe, Elizabeth. *Vikings in the West. The Legend of Ragnarr Loðbrók and His Sons.* Fassbaender, 2012
- [Brink, S. & N. Price (eds.). *The Viking World.* Routledge, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0415692628/)
- [Clunies Ross, Margaret. *The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Norse-Icelandic Saga.* Cambridge University Press, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0521735203/)
- [Crawford, J. (transl. & edited). *The Saga of the Volsungs with The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok.* Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2017.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1624666337/)
- [Jackson Crawford - Krákumál: Ragnar Lothbrok's Last Words?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M59xsFRl490 "Jackson Crawford - Krákumál: Ragnar Lothbrok's Last Words?"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Jackson Crawford - The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V-3Us6Cp3g "Jackson Crawford - The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Jackson Crawford - Who Was Ragnar Lothbrok?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXC9G7lJstk "Jackson Crawford - Who Was Ragnar Lothbrok?"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Krákumál](https://notendur.hi.is/haukurth/norse/reader/krakm.html "Krákumál"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Prose Edda - Skáldskaparmál](https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre05.htm "Prose Edda - Skáldskaparmál"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Ragnar Lodbrok](http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/ragnar_lodbrok "Ragnar Lodbrok"), accessed 28 Aug 2018.
- [Sawyer, P. (ed.). *The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192854348/)
- [Saxo's Gesta Danorum, Book IX](http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1150/1150-h/1150-h.htm#link2H_4_0027 "Saxo's Gesta Danorum, Book IX"), accessed 28 Aug 2018.
- [Stewart Baldwin - Was Ragnar Lothbrok historical?](https://xpda.com/family/etc/RagnarLodbrok.htm "Stewart Baldwin - Was Ragnar Lothbrok historical?"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Anglo-Saxon_Chronicle_(Giles) "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [The Tale of Ragnar's Sons](http://www.germanicmythology.com/FORNALDARSAGAS/ThattrRagnarsSonar.html "The Tale of Ragnar's Sons"), accessed 28 Aug 2018.
- Ó Corráin, Donnchadh. "High-Kings, Vikings and other kings." *Irish Historical Studies*, Vol. 21, Iss. 83 (March 1979), pp. 283-323.

## About the Author

Emma Groeneveld studied History & Ancient History, focusing on topics such as Herodotus and the juicy politics of ancient courts. Since the conclusion of her studies in 2015, she has been spending more and more time on her obsession with prehi
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-groeneveld-31a39b93/)

## Timeline

- **c. 790 CE - c. 1100 CE**: The [Viking Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/29/the-viking-age/).
- **845 CE**: [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/) Siege of [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/), in which a Viking force led by one Reginherus (sometimes equated with the legendary [Ragnar Lothbrok](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/)) sacks Paris but withdraws after being paid off by the Frankish King Charles the Bald.
- **845 CE**: [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/) chief [Ragnar Lothbrok](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/) raids [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/).
- **865 CE**: The Great [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/) Army invades the Anglo-[Saxon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/) Kingdoms of [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/).
- **867 CE**: King Ælla of [Northumbria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kingdom_of_Northumbria/) dies in [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) with [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/) forces at York (as recorded in the Anglo-[Saxon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/) Chronicle).

## External Links

- [Blood Eagle Human Sacrifice: The Horrific Viking Ritual Execution](https://allthatsinteresting.com/blood-eagle)
- [Vikings actually could tear out a person's lungs, researchers suggest - Medievalists.net](https://www.medievalists.net/2022/01/vikings-tear-out-lungs/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Groeneveld, E. (2018, August 31). Ragnar Lothbrok. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar\_Lothbrok/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/)
### Chicago
Groeneveld, Emma. "Ragnar Lothbrok." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 31, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar\_Lothbrok/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/).
### MLA
Groeneveld, Emma. "Ragnar Lothbrok." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Aug 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar\_Lothbrok/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Emma Groeneveld](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/emmagroeneveld1/ "User Page: Emma Groeneveld"), published on 31 August 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.