Ragnar Lothbrok

895CE ᛣ

Ragnar Lothbrok was a legendary Danish king, viking and dragonslayer. Tales of his life are documented in the Gesta Danorum and several Icelandic sagas. Ragnar was given the name Lothbrok “shaggy-breeches” because he coated his pants and cloak in tar to provide extra protection against the venomous fangs of a dragon. After slaying the dragon, he won the hand of a woman named Thora and had two sons. Thora did not live long, and Ragnar remarried a wise woman named Kráka, who was actually Aslaug, the secret daughter of Sigurd the Dragonslayer. With Aslaug, Ragnar had many more sons, notably, Ivar the Boneless, Björn Ironside, Hvitserk, Ragnvald, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, who made names for themselves.

Ragnar boldly led a charge against England, planning to conquer the island with only two ships. He was defeated by Northumbrian forces, and thrown into a snake pit. For a long time, the serpents did not harm Ragnar, which convinced his captors that he was a remarkable man. Ultimately, the snakes did bite and kill Ragnar, who said these final words:

“Full gladly do I go! See the Valkyrjar fresh from Odin's halls!

High-seated among heroes shall I quaff the yellow-mead.

The Aesir welcome me. Laughing gladly do I die!”

Then the sons of Ragnar formed a coalition known as the Great Heathen Army, which returned to England in 865 to avenge their father. It was the largest viking force at the time. The English kings typically gave the vikings tribute, but they sometimes came to battles, where the vikings were often victorious. They took lands in Mercia and Northumbria before they were defeated by King Alfred of Wessex. They were allowed to keep much of the land they had taken, and the Danelaw was composed as part of their treaty.

We remember Ragnar today for his tenacity. He had the courage to slay a dragon and he defied impossible odds for a chance at glory. Though he did not accomplish his final goals, he left a lasting legacy with many strong sons who became the conquerors their father dreamed of being. Just a reminder that sometimes we are here to equip the next generation with the tools we did not have ourselves.

Ragnar Lothbrok’s Day of Remembrance is March 28th.

By Shade McCurdy