The story goes on to explain how Ragnar’s sons invaded England, to take revenge for their father’s killing. What is ironic though is that he was thrown in a pit of poisonous snakes and died there. Legend has it that Ragnar was warned by his physic wife Aslaug to not attack England simply with two ships, but he did not pay any heed to her and was thus killed by King Ælla of Northumbria (d. There are different accounts of the same man.Įven though he ransacked England, he was never able to conquer it. As per the accounts of the Anglo Saxon Chronicle ‘Ragnall’ and ‘Reginherus’ was a brutal Viking raider from 840 AD. This has earned him his very own sagas, such as The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok and the Gesta Danorum. It is believed that Ragnar Lothbrok or Lodbrok, the warlord and king of Denmark and Sweden, was the first Scandinavian to plunder England and France combined and was also the one to father the Great Heathen Army. This did not only earn him the bride, but also the title of ‘hairy breeches’ or ‘shaggy breeches’. According to historical accounts, Ragnar at the young age of 15 killed a poisonous snake infestation to win the hand of his beloved, wearing a snake-proof suit. But this was not the only reason for the nickname. He has been one of the most well known vikings of his time because of all the tales that are present in the Vikings sagas.Īs per the sagas, Ragnar’s 9th century raids on Francia (modern day France) and Anglo-Saxon England earned him his legendary nickname, “Shaggy Breeches”, but that doesn’t really convey his personality or conquests.
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TV series portrayal of Ragnar Lodbrok isn’t his only name to fame.
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Since he was never caught, he died free at the ripe age of 80, after murdering the slave who had helped him in burying his treasure. His capabilities of looting were such that he earned a huge fortune for himself. Becoming an outlaw only allowed Egil to further plunder and pillage without any kind of hindrance. His madness was such that he was forced to become a fugitive in his own country as the King of Norway placed a prize on his head. He was an expert swordsman, ax wielder and could rip out throats with his fingers too. Others may grow calm and peaceful after becoming in-tuned with their inner poet, but Egil terrorized Norway with his blood lust. This was the start of young Egil’s notorious life of words and massive killings. From what we know of his life, it is said that he started early, first poem at 3 and first kill at the mere age of 7.
In fact, he was so good that his poetry is said to be among the finest in ancient Scandinavia. Like most Norse people, poetry was also his favorite pastime.
Egil Skallagrimsson isn’t simply known for his killing skills, he is also known for being an epic poet of his time.
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