Biorn Ironsides

Also known as: Biorn / Ironsides · Family: Danes · Role: son of Ragnar · First appears: Book Nine · Part 2

In Book Nine · Part 2, Biorn Ironsides is named among the sons of Ragnar Lodbrog and Thora (daughter of Herodd), alongside Radbard (son of Ragnar), Dunwat, Siward Snake-Eye, Agnar (son of Ragnar), and Iwar. In Book Nine · Part 5, after slaughtering the foe without being hurt, he gained the name Ironsides, and Ragnar gave him the lordship of Sweden for his bravery and service.

In Book Nine · Part 6, Esbern tried to win Biorn over through envoys. Biorn rejected treachery, saying he would “never lean more to treachery than to good faith,” and had the envoys hanged for counselling him to betray his father. In Book Nine · Part 7, after Ragnar overthrew Norway’s usurper, he let Biorn have the country.

In Book Nine · Part 9, after Ragnar’s death, Biorn and Siward Snake-Eye came against Ella with a fleet and declared war; the sons of Ragnar later attacked the royal-line kings Siward (royal line) and Erik (royal line) at Sleswik. Biorn and Siward captured Ella, tortured him, and put him to death. After Biorn and Erik Wind-hat went home, Iwar and Siward settled in Denmark and set Agnar to govern England.