Ragnar Lodbrog and his legend

Please do not edit in this project. If you have something you think need to be changed, you can contact me. Anette Guldager Boye

Ragnar Lodbrog

is a mythical Viking we only know from the sagas and there are various spellings of his name: Ragnar or Regnar. The same goes for his nickname: Lodbrog, Lodbrok, Lodbrock. However the oldest is Loðbrókawhich comes closest to the original name.

He is most likely a composite character of several historical persons. Some have therefore argued that he never existed. However several of his sons are known historical figures and are also mentioned in Christian annals. This is the one man who lived on in legends far longer than any of the others!

The aim of this project is to tell the Story of Ragnar and that of his children as we have come to know them from the sagas.

'Sagas are not facts but still undeniably connected to real historical events.

Ragnar "Lodbrok" Sigurdsson, Konge af Danmark og Norge

There are two of the most famous tales of Ragnar whoch is the saga of Ragnar and the saga of Ragnar’s sons.
Saxo Grammaticus mentions both him and sons in detail.

Ragnars Saga
The Tale of Ragnar's Sons
The Danish History, Books I-IX by Grammaticus Saxo
Heimskringla

Heimskringla is a Norwegian page, that has the different sagas, mostly in the native tung.

Raven banner

Legend tells that the Raven banner was made by Ragnar’s 3 daughters in one day. The sons of Ragnar used this banner as their mark.

According to the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, when the banner was waving in the wind it was seen as a sign of victory but if it was just hanging down it

The Raven icon most likely symbolized the two Ravens of Odin, Hugin and Munin which in turn gave them the connection to the Gods. A common feature in the Scandinavian area. More than one king should have fought under this banner. According to legend it is said to have been King Knud I the great of Denmark banner as well!
Wikipedia: Raven Banner

Ragnar’s wives and children==

It is somewhat unclear which wife’s was the mother of the various sons. Svanloga or Svanløg as mentioned in Saxo, might even be the same person as Aslauga. Hvidsærk at least has been mentioned as son of both women!

The saga of Ragnar

Wives and children as mentioned in the saga of Ragnar

1- Þóra/Thora "borgarhjörtr" Herraudsdatter

There is not mentioned any specific children here, but in reference to the tale of Auslaug Kraka and her sons with Ragnar two brothers are named, Erik and Agnar.

2- Auslaug "Kraka" Sigurdsdatter

According to this saga they had four sons. Ivar, Bjørn, HVitserk and Rognvald.

Saga of Ragnars sons

Wives and children as mentioned in the saga of Ragnars sons.

1- Þóra/Thora "borgarhjörtr" Herraudsdatter

Thora. Here again the sons are mentioned as Stepchildren of Aslaug "Kraka", but since Thora was Ragnas wife before Aslaug. Erik and Agnar of this tale must be her sons.

2- Aslaug Kraka Sigurdsdatter

Aslaug "Kraka" Sigurdsdatter: Here four sons. Sigurd "Worm in Eye", Bjørn "Ironside", Hvitserk and Ivar "Boneless"

3-Unknown mother? Besides from these sons. Two brothers was mentioned as Ivars brothers born out of Wedlock!, Yngvar and Husto/Ubba

Saxos Gesta Danorum

Wives and children as mentioned in Gesta Danorum:

1- Lagertha / Ladgerd / Hlaðgerðr

two daughters of unknown name, one son Fridleif.

2- Þóra/Thora "borgarhjörtr" Herraudsdatter

six sons Radbard, Dunvat, Sivard, Bjørn, Agnar and Ivar.

3- Svanløg / Svanloga

three sons Ragnald, Hvitserk and Erik.

4- Unnamed mother of Ubbe: Ragnar father’s Ubbe with a unnamed female. However the father of this woman is later mentioned as Ubbas grandfather Esbern, who tries to go for the throne himself.

Interesting links:

• Sagaernes Ragnar Lodbrog
• nordligeverdener.natmus.dk
• Ragnar Lofbrog and his legend
• En islandsk saga
• Saga book index