Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary figure from the Viking Age, is a character shrouded in mystery and folklore. His exploits are recorded in various sources, including Old Norse sagas, poetry, and medieval Latin texts. However, the historicity of Ragnar himself is highly disputed.
Ragnar’s exploits, as recorded in the sagas, are indeed extraordinary. He is said to have led many raids against the British Isles and the Carolingian Empire during the 9th century. One of the most iconic tales of his legend is his successful fight with a dragon, for which he fashioned his defining shaggy breeches as protection. Another tale recounts his overconfident invasion of England with just two ships, which ended with him being captured by King Ælla of Northumbria, who had him killed by throwing him into a snake pit.
However, it’s important to note that these sagas were written centuries after the events they describe and are steeped in myth and legend. They often served to link back to the mythical beginnings of historical Scandinavian families and often ended with their champion’s death. Therefore, it’s plausible that the sagas attributed the deeds of multiple individuals to the character of Ragnar to create a more compelling narrative.
Moreover, Ragnar is mentioned in English manuscripts, suggesting that he might have been a real historical figure. However, these sources also contain ambiguities and contradictions, further complicating the task of separating fact from fiction. For example, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and other medieval sources mention that Ragnar’s sons led a Viking invasion of East Anglia in 865. They may have sought to avenge Ragnar’s death, which may or may not have been murder, or they may have been claiming land to which they believed they had a right as a result of a previous invasion by Ragnar that may or may not have actually happened.
While Ragnar Lothbrok likely existed as a historical figure, many of his supposed exploits were probably the deeds of multiple individuals, woven together into a single narrative to create the legendary character we know today. This blending of fact and fiction is a common feature of medieval literature and serves as a reminder of the challenges historians face when trying to reconstruct the past from such sources.