Based on a conversation with Arith Härger, a former archaeologist and now independent researcher with a special interest in Scandinavian and Nordic studies, this post asks the question that we have heard frequently following the popularity of the History Channel’s “Vikings.” Was Ragnar Lodbrok real?
Ragnar wasn’t invented for the show. His stories are found in the Old Norse Sagas. But these sagas, written down centuries after the Viking Age, are often more legend than history. So, was Ragnar a real historical figure or a legendary character invented by the sagas?
[This post has been updated and edited for clarity]
Was Ragnar Loðbrók a Real Historical Figure?
Ragnar is mentioned in the Danish History (Gesta Danorum) by Saxo Grammaticus, in the Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok (Ragnars saga Loðbrókar), in the Saga of the Sons of Ragnar (Ragnarsson þáttr), and in the poem Krákumál. However, it is clear that not everything said about Ragnar in these sources can be true, as there are many fantasy elements. But does this mean that he did not exist at all?
Ragnar’s sagas were written between the 12th and the 13th centuries, centuries after Ragnar is reported to have lived (in the 9th century), and after the end of the Viking Age. His stories were probably transmitted orally for generations before being committed to paper, but they would have evolved over time, especially as Norse culture changed with the conversion to Christianity.
Therefore, to verify whether Ragnar was a “real person,” we have to look for references to him in independent contemporary sources. A Viking named “Reginheri,” the Latin equivalent of Ragnar, is mentioned in the contemporary Frankish Chronicles. He reportedly led 120 longships up the River Seine to attack Paris.
But is this the same Ragnar as the one mentioned in the sagas? According to the Frankish Chronicles, this Ragnar succumbed to a plague that devastated the Vikings who were besieging Paris in 845. But this does not correspond with Ragnar in the sagas, who reportedly tries to take England with a single ship but is captured by King Aella of Northumbria and executed by being thrown into a snake pit.
This triggered his sons to gather a great army and attack England in revenge. The Great Heathen Army, which landed in England in 865, is a historical event that can be confirmed by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. While it also confirms that Aella was one of their first targets, it does not mention revenge for Ragnar as a motive.
In fact, across the sources, it seems that a Viking named Ragnar died at least five times in the 9th century. Are these confused stories about the same Viking, or stories about multiple Vikings with the same name? If Ragnar was highly respected, perhaps it became a popular name, or other Vikings adopted the name as a kind of title. Or was Ragnar so important that the stories of other Vikings were later attributed to him?
Was Ragnar the Father of Many Viking Heroes?
One thing the sagas are clear about is that Ragnar Lodbrok was the father of many other important Vikings, most notably Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless. There is even an entire saga dedicated to the sons of Ragnar.
There is no evidence to suggest that the Reginheri of the Norse sagas fathered any of these children, though he is of an age that he could have been the father of Vikings who led major raids in 865.
But it is also possible that the many sons of Ragnar Lodbrok – at least seven are personally named in the sources – were not all the sons of the same father, but rather members of the same group who connected themselves to a legendary leader of their people, Ragnar.
When their stories were later written down, the stories of Ragnar’s many wives, including Lagertha, Thora, and Aslaug, were made part of the story. It is noteworthy that Aslaug was reportedly the daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild, the protagonists of one of the most famous Norse sagas, the Volsunga Saga. According to the story, when Ragnar met her, she was a humble woman named Kraka, but he fell for her anyway. Her “secret parentage” as the daughter of two of the most famous Viking heroes was then conveniently revealed. It neatly ties together some of the Viking world’s most important heroes.
What Does the Name Lodbrók Mean?
Saxo Grammaticus says that Ragnar was the grandson of King Sigurd Hring of Norway, who is mentioned in several Norse sagas. Ragnar succeeded his grandfather as king of Norway and later also parts of Sweden. He is also sometimes described as the king of Denmark. It seems that many Norse communities wanted to claim the hero, making it even harder to pin down who he really was.
Of course, many other kings of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden are named for the period when Ragnar was supposedly king. This is not necessarily a deal breaker, as these regions were not yet united as countries. Several men might claim to be the king of the Danes, the Vestildingar (people from Vestfold in Norway), or the Hrygjar (people from Rogaland in Hrygjar). Harald Fairhair, who ruled at the end of the 9th century, is usually credited with being the first king of a united Norway.
That Ragnar was the son of Sigurd means that his name was Ragnar Sigurdsson, son of Sigurd, just as his sons were Ragnarsson, son of Ragnar. Lodbrok was a nickname, as was Bjorn’s name “Ironside” and Ivar’s moniker “the Boneless.”
In this version of his story, Ragnar first married Lagertha, with whom he had at least one son, Friedleif. Later, he divorced her and married Thora Borgarhjört, with whom he had two sons, Erik and Agnar. To be able to marry Thora, Ragnar had to kill a giant serpent, or a Dragon in other accounts (just like the great hero Sigurd killed the dragon Fafnir). For this particular adventure, he wore furry pants/shaggy breeches, and that’s where the name Loðbrók comes from, meaning “shaggy breeches.” He used them to protect himself from the bites of the beast. The incident was apparently famous enough that the nickname stuck.
What About Ragnall in Ireland?
As well as popping up in France, a Viking named “Ragnall,” also thought to be a version of Ragnar, appears in the Annals of Ireland. He is described as the son of Halfdan, King of Norway, and elsewhere Ragnar is also described as having a son called Halfdan (or Hvitserk).
Ragnall is described as being active in Ireland before York fell to the Danes in 866 or 867, as part of the expedition of the Great Heathen Army. This means that he could have died not long before, potentially making his death the motivation for that army, as described in the sagas. In the late 9th and early 10th centuries, several Vikings are described as raiding on both sides of the Irish Sea, so it is possible that Ragnall could have been active in both Ireland and England.
Who Was Ragnar Lodbrok?
With so many conflicting sources, what can we say about Ragnar Lodbrok? There probably was a real Viking leader named Ragnar Lodbrok who earned great fame and respect for his deeds, probably in the first half of the 9th century. Whether he raided in France, Ireland, or England is unclear, or possibly all three, as the Vikings did tend to “get around” and weren’t afraid to travel. Whether he was Danish or Norwegian is also unclear, though the Danes were the most prolific raiders of the 9th century.
Whoever the real man was, by the end of the Viking Age, he had become a legend. Much like the god Thor was considered the ideal divine Viking warrior, Ragnar seems to have been held up as the ideal for a Viking warrior. He was bold, successful, and even a little reckless (just like the god Thor and shown by his ill-advised attack on England mentioned in the sagas). He also had many sons to carry on his legacy, which was essential in Norse culture.
Ragnar’s heroic life and warrior’s death certainly would have earned him a place in Valhalla, Odin‘s great hall in Asgard, where the bravest fallen warriors dwelled in the afterlife. In the poem Krákumál, written from the first-person perspective of Ragnar as he sits dying in Aella’s snake pit, he welcomes his entrance into Valhalla:
“It gladdens me to know that Balder’s father [Odin] prepares the benches for a feast. Soon we shall drink ale from curved horns. The warrior does not bewail his death in Fjölnir’s [Odin’s] magnificent mansion. I will not enter Hall with words of fear on my lips. … The Ases [Aesir] will welcome me. Death comes without lamentation… Laughing, I shall die!“
The Valknut was the symbol of Valhalla in the Viking world and represents the kind of bold fearlessness that Ragnar emboies. Find Valknut pieces in the VKNG Collection.
Watch Arith Härger’s video about Ragnar Lothbrok by following this link:
Mjolnir Pendants in the VKNG Collection
Viking warriors like Ragnar wore Thor’s Hammer Mjolnir pendants as symbols of the protection of the gods. Find your perfect Mjolnir in the VKNG collection, all inspired by real pendants from the Viking Age.
This design is based on a 10th-century Mjolnir pendant found at Östergötland, Sweden. It features swirling loops, which were extremely common for jewelry decoration in the Viking Age.
This design is based on a Mjolnir pendant found in Scania, Sweden. The handle of the hammer looks like a raven or a warrior’s head, a common feature of many Mjolnir designs. It is probably a reference to Odin, the god of war and ravens.
This pendant is based on a Mjolnir amulet found on Bornholm Island, Denmark. The pattern of round circles was a common design on Norse jewelry, especially Mjolnir pendants.
This pendant is based on a 10th-century artifact from Iceland. It has a distinctive design with its wolf-head clasp and what seems to be a Christian cross integrated into the design. It dates to a time when Iceland was in the process of converting to Christianity, and religious lines and symbolism were being blurred.
FAQs
Was Ragnar Lodbrok a real historical figure?
While a legendary Viking leader named Ragnar likely existed in the early 9th century, his sagas mix actual history with fantasy elements. Contemporary sources suggest his legendary persona was likely constructed by combining the deeds of several different historical Vikings.
How did the historical Viking named “Reginheri” die?
According to contemporary Frankish Chronicles, a Viking named Reginheri died of a plague while besieging Paris in 845 AD. This directly contradicts the Norse sagas, which claim he died later in an English snake pit.
Did the Great Heathen Army invade England to avenge Ragnar’s death?
Although the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle confirms the Great Heathen Army invaded England in 865 AD and targeted King Ælla, it never mentions revenge for Ragnar as a motive. The revenge narrative was added centuries later by Norse oral traditions and sagas.
Were all of Ragnar’s famous sons actually related to him?
It is highly possible that the famous Viking heroes attributed as his sons were actually independent warriors who connected themselves to his name for political legitimacy. Over time, as oral stories were written down, these figures were officially consolidated into a single family tree.
What does the nickname “Lodbrok” actually mean?
The nickname Loðbrók translates to “shaggy breeches” or “furry pants” in Old Norse. According to legend, Ragnar earned this name because he wore specially crafted shaggy pants to protect himself from the bites of a giant serpent he had to kill.
Who was the first king to rule over a united Norway?
King Harald Fairhair is historically credited with becoming the first king of a united Norway at the end of the 9th century. During the earlier period when Ragnar supposedly ruled, Scandinavia was still fractured into numerous smaller petty kingdoms.
Select Bibliography
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