---
title: Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers
author: August Malmström
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9136/ragnar-lothbroks-sons--king-aellas-messengers/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers
_Authored by August Malmström_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/9136.jpg)
## Image Caption
Painting depicting the messengers of King Ælla of Northumbria (r. c. 866 CE) bringing the sons of the legendary [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/) hero [Ragnar Lothbrok](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ragnar_Lothbrok/) their father's last words. The legends say Ragnar, after invading the Anglo-[Saxon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/) Kingdoms with only two ships, had been killed by being thrown into a snake-pit by King Ælla. After receiving this message, his sons invaded [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) and avenged their father by brutally killing Ælla. Although Ragnar's own historicity is disputed, a Viking invasion of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms did occur in 865 CE, led by figures traditionally linked with some of Ragnar's sons.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Malmström, A. (2018, August 28). Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Malmström, August. "Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 28, 2018. .
### MLA
Malmström, August. "Ragnar Lothbrok's Sons & King Ælla's Messengers." *World History Encyclopedia*, 28 Aug 2018, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konung_Ellas_s%C3%A4ndebud_inf%C3%B6r_Ragnar_Ladbroks_s%C3%B6ner_(1857)_av_August_Malmstr%C3%B6m.jpg) by [**August Malmström**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konung_Ellas_s%C3%A4ndebud_inf%C3%B6r_Ragnar_Ladbroks_s%C3%B6ner_(1857)_av_August_Malmstr%C3%B6m.jpg). Submitted by [Emma Groeneveld](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/emmagroeneveld1/ "User Page: Emma Groeneveld"), published on 28 August 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.