Björn lothbrok
Fierce warrior, conqueror and king, Björn Ironside is one of the towering figures of the Viking age. One of the few things we know for certain about Björn Ironside is that he lived in the 9th century. His true parentage is unknown, but according to Norse lore, he was a son of Ragnar Lothbrok — the iconic king of Sweden and Denmark. Ragnar Lothbrok is a semi-legendary figure.
Björn Ironside Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life
These include his wooing of a beautiful maiden by slaying a fearsome serpent, his battles against foreign invaders who tried to usurp his kingdoms, and his own extravagant death in a snake björn lothbrok during a failed invasion of England. As the lore tells us, Björn Ironside proved to be a chip off the old block. Read more about Vikings. One of the first depictions of Björn can be found in the writings of the 11th-century Benedictine monk, William of Jumièges.
According to William, Ragnar Lothbrok was a stickler for tradition, throwing Björn out of Denmark after becoming king. The exiled Björn made himself busy in classic Viking fashion by taking his men on a pillaging trip in West Francia modern-day France. Björn lothbrok later forged an alliance with Charles to keep the peace, though West Francia and the Vikings came to blows many more times in the years that followed.
During one escapade, they tricked their way into the city of Luna, in modern-day Italy, by claiming that Hastein was on his deathbed and wanted to convert to Christianity. On being allowed into Luna by the trusting locals, Hastein and his men proceeded to devastate the city. Björn and his cunning mentor parted ways after their violent Mediterranean odyssey, with William of Jumièges telling us that Björn returned to northern Europe where he died.
But he soon came to a sticky end himself, being thrown into that aforementioned snake pit while trying to defeat an English king, Ælla of Northumbria. Once again, Björn and his brothers were roused to björn lothbrok, launching a massive invasion of England and eventually capturing Ælla himself. As the saga tells us, they tortured and killed him using the grisly blood eagle methodcutting open his back and pulling the ribs and lungs out from behind to create ghoulish wings.
Whatever the precise details, it is a historical fact that a Viking coalition known as the Great Heathen Army did invade England in the mid-9th century, conquering much of the land.
Bjorn Ironside: Son of Famed Viking Ragnar Lodbrok Became Legendary King of Sweden
Another key source for all things Björn is the Gesto Danoruma 13th-century Danish chronicle by historian Saxo Grammaticus. In this version of events, Björn helped his father Ragnar Lothbrok invade Sweden in an overwhelming show of force and was awarded the throne of Sweden by Ragnar as björn lothbrok reward. Saxo Grammaticus also provides his own account of the Great Heathen Army invasion of England, again framing it as a revenge mission by Björn and his brothers.
Who was Viking legend Björn Ironside? Image: Shutterstock.
Bjorn Lothbrok: The Legendary Viking Hero and Explorer
The son of a towering figure One of the few things we know for certain about Björn Ironside is that he lived in the 9th century. Read more about Vikings 11 facts about legendary viking warrior Ragnar Lothbrok. Read more about Vikings 12 most important Norse gods and goddesses in Viking mythology. Read more about Vikings 11 facts about Viking queen Lagertha. Most Recent.
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