4 most famous Vikings that changed the world
The Vikings’ original religion was the pagan and polytheistic Old Norse religion, which can be traced back to about 500 BCE in what is now “Denmark”.
As Christianity took hold in Scandinavia, beginning in the 8th century CE, the old Norse dwindled in number of followerships. However, this older tradition continued Viking culture.
And we are going to talk about the most famous Vikings that ever lived.
1.) Ragnar Lothbrok
Accomplishments-
Ragnar Lothbrok, in Old Norse – Ragnarr Loðbrók, which translates to ‘Hairy-breeches’ or ‘Shaggy-breeches’ lived and flourished in the 9th century,as he pioneered raids to Britain, Scandinavia, acient France and some other European countries. His legendary went on to be written in tales that was passed for generations.
Ragnar was very popular amongst his people as news of his raids and successes spreads far and wide to other countries and even continent.
An account of a raid on Paris in 845 CE when he was paid by Charles the Bald ( 843-877 CE) to leave the city alone.
Married to-
Ragnar was known for his marriages to Thora,Aslaug, and Lagertha (a famous shield maiden). There’s is no account of various concubines Ragnar kept.
His first wife was Lagertha, who he first saw on the battlefield fighting alongside him.This Percular act had him astonished and he married her.
After he changed his affection for Lagertha, Ragnar focuses his goal on Thora, who was the daughter of King Herodd. Thora has been spoiled by her father with wealth and other material things. Her father even created a monster out of a heather snake.this monster was supposed to guild her.
Ragnar works on strategies on how to kill this monster because King Herodd has offered the man who does this Thora’s hand in marriage.
Many men were killed in the process but Ragnar being a clever man, learns from their failures.
He made some shaggy pants. These pants may have also been covered in sand or accompanied with a dress that he has wet and frozen for extra protection. Ragnar, using not only these pants but also his shield, he slays the snake and wins Thora’s hand in marriage.
Ragnar seen with this courageous and determination was given the nickname, Lodbrok, which translates to “hairy pants.”
Aslaug, who will go on to become Ragnar wife. she is the daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild (the legendary dragonslayer) further popularised by Wagner, who died when Aslaug was only three years old. She grew up in Norway, (taken in by a poor family who name her Kráka (‘crow’) but keeps her identify hidden.)
Offsprings-
Ragnar successfully fathered many famous sons which includes
Bjorn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless (who was a cripple), Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Hvitserk, and Ubba.
Death-
Ragnar was a 9th-century Danish king whose campaigns included a battles with the Holy Roman emperor Charlemagne .
According to the Saxo’s legendary history, Ragnar was eventually captured by Aella of Northumbria Anglo-Saxon king in 867 CE and he was thrown into a pit filled with snakes to die from bites from these poisonous snakes.
Ragnar’s death was revenged by his son with a other large fleet of Viking troop. Which was called “the great Heathen Army “.
King Aella paid for his actions intensively through a bloody torture techque known as “the Eagle-blood”.