Ragnar Lodbrog

Also known as: Lodbrog / Ragnar · Family: Danes · Role: king · First appears: Book Nine · Part 1

In Book Nine · Part 1, Zealanders proclaimed Siward Ring’s son Ragnar Lodbrog king while he was still an infant, and he later succeeded his father on the throne. After hearing that Siward of Norway had been killed, Ragnar went to Norway to avenge his grandfather; he killed the murderer, and in Book Nine · Part 2 married Ladgerda, who had fought at the front in his campaign. They had two daughters and a son, Fridleif. After defeating the Jutlanders near the Liim-fjord, Ragnar divorced Ladgerda and married Thora, whom he won after killing two snakes. Their sons included Radbard, Dunwat, Siward, Biorn, Agnar, and Iwar.

In Book Nine · Part 3, the Jutes and Skanians rejected Ragnar’s title and gave power to Harald. Ladgerda sailed to his aid with a hundred and twenty ships, and Ragnar defeated Harald at Laneus. Thora died of a violent malady, and Ragnar later killed Hame in battle. He made Siward and Radbard masters of provinces and appointed Fridleif over Norway and the Orkneys. In Book Nine · Part 4, he crushed Harald’s rebellion, defeated Karl’s army, and went to Sweden after Sorle’s slander led to his sons losing their inheritance. There Ragnar and his allies defeated Sorle and Starkad; in Book Nine · Part 5, Ragnar killed Sorle and gave Biorn the lordship of Sweden. He also acknowledged Ubbe as his son, then killed Dia and routed the forces of Dia’s sons, Dia and Daxo.

In Book Nine · Part 6, Ragnar killed the king of the Perms and routed the king of the Finns, then sailed toward Gothland after hearing of Ubbe’s arrogance. He attacked and killed Esbern in Book Nine · Part 7, while Ubbe renewed war against him in Zealand. Ragnar received Iwar with honour, restored Ubbe to favour, put his kingdom in Iwar’s charge, and appointed Erik over Sweden; he also restored Daxo to his country on condition of annual barefoot tribute. In Book Nine · Part 8, Ragnar killed Murial in the territory of the Scots and Melbrik, then took Dublin’s surrender. Ella imprisoned him, and Ragnar died after being given to serpents. In Book Nine · Part 9, his sons received news of his death.