History Literature / RagnarLodbrokAndHisSons

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: A lot. [[labelnote:Click here if you don't mind the spoilers.]]Erik is impaled on spears, Ragnar is thrown in a snake pit filled with venomous vipers, King Ella has his back cut open, Hvitserk is burnt alive on a pyre.[[/labelnote]]

Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons were popular stuff of legend of medieval Northern Europe; however the details of the story vary considerably-– especially the number and names of the sons. Nevertheless, many of the episodes are obviously [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory based on history]]: Ragnar may be inspired by a certain viking warlord Reginer who sacked Paris in 845, Ivar the Boneless is modelled on a certain "Hinguar"[[note]]A Latinization of "Ingvar", Ivar for short.[[/note]] who, together with his brothers, invaded England in 865, and the Ragnarssons’ foray to the South mirrors a real-life viking invasion of the Mediterranean that occurred in 859-862. Altogether, the saga is cleverly stitched between the age of legend and history--while the Ragnarssons are descended from mythic heroes, they are also (supposedly) the ancestors of the historical royal houses of UsefulNotes/{{Norway}}, Denmark and Sweden. For more, sometimes conflicting material on the tale of Ragnar, see book 9 of ''Literature/GestaDanorum'', ''Literature/{{Krakumal}}'', and ''Literature/TheTaleOfNornaGest''.

The sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons are among those medieval works that deal explicitly with viking expeditions (even if they are not strong on the realism), and portrayal of Vikings in fiction often takes inspiration from them. This begins, of course, with all the fictional Viking chiefs called Ragnar. The 1958 Hollywood epic ''Film/TheVikings'', the 2010s TV series ''Series/{{Vikings}}'', and novels such as the ''[[Literature/TheHammerAndTheCross Hammer and the Cross]]'' trilogy and the ''[[Literature/TheSaxonStories Saxon Stories]]'' series are loosely based on the sagas. Ragnar and his sons are also playable in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsII'': Ragnar is the heir of Sigurdr of Uppland at the 769 AD start date in the "Charlemagne" DLC, while "The Old Gods" starts during the Norse invasion of Britain with all the brothers featured.

The sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons are among those medieval works that deal explicitly with viking expeditions (even if they are not strong on the realism), and portrayal of Vikings in fiction often takes inspiration from them. This begins, of course, with all the fictional Viking chiefs called Ragnar. The 1958 Hollywood epic ''Film/TheVikings'', the 2013 TV series ''Series/{{Vikings}}'', and novels such as the ''[[Literature/TheHammerAndTheCross Hammer and the Cross]]'' trilogy and the ''[[Literature/TheSaxonStories Saxon Stories]]'' series are loosely based on the sagas. Ragnar and his sons are also playable in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsII'': Ragnar is the heir of Sigurdr of Uppland at the 769 AD start date in the "Charlemagne" DLC, while "The Old Gods" starts during the Norse invasion of Britain with all the brothers featured.

The ''Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok'' (''Ragnars saga loðbrókar'') and ''Tale of Ragnar’s Sons'' (''Ragnarssona þáttr'') are two 13th century [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]], telling the story of a prestigious clan of enterprising warlord-kings, set in a fictionalised 9th century, in the heyday of the [[HornyVikings viking raids]]. The authorship is [[AnonymousAuthor anonymous]]. Despite what the titles suggest, the two works are not {{sequel}}s, rather different treatments of the same story, but with a shift in emphasis, and also a few inconsistencies between them. The "Tale" is much shorter than the ''Saga''.

Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons were popular stuff of legend of medieval Northern Europe; however the details of the story vary considerably-– especially the number and names of the sons. Nevertheless, many of the episodes are obviously [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory based on history]]: Ragnar may be inspired by a certain viking warlord Reginer who sacked Paris in 845, Ivar the Boneless is modelled on a certain "Hinguar"[[note]]A Latinization of "Ingvar", Ivar for short.[[/note]] who, together with his brothers, invaded England in 865, and the Ragnarssons’ foray to the South mirrors a real-life viking invasion of the Mediterranean that occurred in 859-862. Altogether, the saga is cleverly stitched between the age of legend and history--while the Ragnarssons are descended from mythic heroes, they are also (supposedly) the ancestors of the historical royal houses of UsefulNotes/{{Norway}}, Denmark and Sweden. For more, sometimes conflicting material on the tale of Ragnar, see book 9 of ''Literature/GestaDanorum'', "Literature/{{Krakumal}}", and "Literature/TheTaleOfNornaGest".

A free translation of ''Ragnar's Saga'' can be found [[http://www.turbidwater.com/portfolio/downloads/RagnarsSaga.pdf here (pdf file)]]; "Tale of Ragnar's Sons" can be read [[http://www.northvegr.org/sagas%20annd%20epics/legendary%20heroic%20and%20imaginative%20sagas/old%20heithinn%20tales%20from%20the%20north/055.html here.]]

The ''Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok'' (''Ragnars saga loðbrókar'') and "Tale of Ragnar’s Sons" ("Ragnarssona þáttr") are two 13th century [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]], telling the story of a prestigious clan of enterprising warlord-kings, set in a fictionalised 9th century, in the heyday of the [[HornyVikings viking raids]]. The authorship is [[AnonymousAuthor anonymous]]. Despite what the titles suggest, the two works are not {{sequel}}s, rather different treatments of the same story, but with a shift in emphasis, and also a few inconsistencies between them. The "Tale" is much shorter than the ''Saga''.

* DefiantToTheEnd: As Ragnar lies dying in Aella's snake pit his FamousLastWords are: "How the little pigs would grunt if they knew how the old boar suffers!", referring to how his sons are not going to take his death lightly.

The sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons are among those medieval works that deal explicitly with viking expeditions (even if they are not strong on the realism), and portrayal of Vikings in fiction often takes inspiration from them. This begins, of course, with all the fictional Viking chiefs called Ragnar. The 1958 Hollywood epic ''Film/TheVikings'', the 2013 TV series ''Series/{{Vikings}}'', and novels such as the ''[[Literature/TheHammerAndTheCross Hammer and the Cross]]'' trilogy and the ''[[Literature/TheSaxonStories Saxon Stories]]'' series are loosely based on the sagas.

* DefiantCaptive: Captured by the Northumbrians, Ragnar refuses to tell Aella who he is, or indeed speak to him at all. Even when Ælla has him thrown into a snake pit to make him talk, Ragnar continues to ignore him.

[[caption-width-right:350: "King Ælla's messenger before Ragnar Lodbrok's sons", by August Malmström (1857)]]

* DefiantCaptive: Captured by the Northumbrians, Ragnar refuses to tell Ælla who he is, or indeed speak to him at all. Even when Ælla has him thrown into a snake pit to make him talk, Ragnar continues to ignore him.
* DefiantToTheEnd: As Ragnar lies dying in Ælla's snake pit his FamousLastWords are: "How the little pigs would grunt if they knew how the old boar suffers!", referring to how his sons are not going to take his death lightly.

* FeelNoPain: When Ælla's messenger relates Ragnar's death to the Ragnarssons, Sigurd is paring his fingernails with a knife. He listens to the messenger so attentively (and presumably, is so worked up internally) he does not notice he is cutting into his own flesh "until the knife stood in the bone, and he did not flinch at that."

[[caption-width-right:350: "King Aella's messenger before Ragnar Lodbrok's sons", by August Malmström (1857)]]

* DefiantCaptive: Captured by the Northumbrians, Ragnar refuses to tell Aella who he is, or indeed speak to him at all. Even when Aella has him thrown into a snake pit to make him talk, Ragnar continues to ignore him.

* FeelNoPain: When Aella's messenger relates Ragnar's death to the Ragnarssons, Sigurd is paring his fingernails with a knife. He listens to the messenger so attentively (and presumably, is so worked up internally) he does not notice he is cutting into his own flesh "until the knife stood in the bone, and he did not flinch at that."

%%* DeliberateValuesDissonance: This was undoubtedly relished by the author.

Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons were popular stuff of legend of medieval Northern Europe; however the details of the story vary considerably-– especially the number and names of the sons. Nevertheless, many of the episodes are obviously [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory based on history]]: Ragnar may be inspired by a certain viking warlord Reginer who sacked Paris in 845, Ivar the Boneless is modelled on a certain "Hinguar"[[note]]A Latinization of "Ingvar", Ivar for short.[[/note]] who, together with his brothers, invaded England in 865, and the Ragnarssons’ foray to the South mirrors a real-life viking invasion of the Mediterranean that occurred in 859-862. Altogether, the saga is cleverly stitched between the age of legend and history--while the Ragnarssons are descended from mythic heroes, they are also (supposedly) the ancestors of the historical royal houses of UsefulNotes/{{Norway}}, Denmark and Sweden. For more, sometimes conflicting material on the tale of Ragnar, see book 9 of ''Literature/GestaDanorum'' and "Literature/TheTaleOfNornaGest".

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RagnarLodbrok_6748.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300: [- "Death of Ragnar Lodbrok" by Hugo Hamilton (1830) -] ]]

The '''''Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok''''' (''Ragnars saga loðbrókar'') and '''''Tale of Ragnar’s Sons''''' ("Ragnarssona þáttr") are two 13th century [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]], telling the story of a prestigious clan of enterprising warlord-kings, set in a fictionalised 9th century, in the heyday of the [[HornyVikings viking raids]]. The authorship is [[AnonymousAuthor anonymous]]. Despite what the titles suggest, the two works are not {{sequel}}s, rather different treatments of the same story, but with a shift in emphasis, and also a few inconsistencies between them. The "Tale" is much shorter than the ''Saga''.

The '''''Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok''''' (''Ragnars saga loðbrókar'') and '''''Tale of Ragnar’s Sons''''' ("Ragnarssona þáttr") are two [[TheHighMiddleAges 13th century]] [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic narratives]], telling the story of a prestigious clan of enterprising warlord-kings, set in [[InspiredBy a fictionalised 9th century]], in the heyday of the [[HornyVikings viking raids]]. The authorship is [[AnonymousAuthor anonymous]]. Despite what the titles suggest, the two narratives are not {{sequel}}s, rather different treatments of the same story, but with a shift in emphasis, and also a few inconsistencies between them. The "Tale" is much shorter than the ''Saga''.

Ragnar succeeds his father as king of UsefulNotes/{{Sweden}} and UsefulNotes/{{Denmark}}. While he is still a youngster, he kills a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent giant snake]], wearing special clothes made of fur for protection, which earns him his rid … ''unique'' nickname Lodbrok (a.k.a. Lothbrok or Lodbrog, depending on transliteration) -- "Hairy-Breeches"[[note]]Or "Shaggy-pants" if you want so. There are numerous translations of ''Loðbrók'' but most often it's left untranslated, for obvious reasons.[[/note]] -- and also the [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses jarl’s daughter]] that the monster guarded, Thora Hart-of-the-Town[[note]]The "hart" is supposed to mean that she is especially beautiful.[[/note]].

But Thora dies young, and Ragnar takes another wife – Kraka, a mysterious girl raised by a poor couple, who will eventually reveal a lofty heritage. Thora’s sons are Erik and Agnar; Kraka’s sons are [[AwesomeMcCoolName Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Hvitserk, Rognvald, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye.]] In time, the sons follow in the footsteps of their father and take up careers as viking raiders and conquerors -- and soon, father and sons find themselves competing against each other in a quest for glory that ravages half of Europe, drips of blood, and entertains the reader.

Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons were popular stuff of legend of medieval Northern Europe; however the details of the story vary considerably – especially the number and names of the sons. Nevertheless, many of the episodes are obviously [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory based on history]]: Ragnar is implied to be identical to a certain viking warlord Reginer who sacked Paris in 845, Ivar the Boneless is modelled on a certain "Hinguar"[[note]]A Latinization of "Ingvar", Ivar for short.[[/note]] who, together with his brothers, invaded England in 865, and the Ragnarssons’ foray to the South mirrors a real-life viking invasion of the Mediterranean that occurred in 859-862. Altogether, the saga is cleverly stitched between the age of legend and history – while the Ragnarssons are descended from mythic heroes, they are also (supposedly) the ancestors of the historical royal houses of UsefulNotes/{{Norway}}, Denmark and Sweden. For more, sometimes conflicting material on the tale of Ragnar, see book 9 of ''Literature/GestaDanorum'' and "Literature/TheTaleOfNornaGest".

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The '''''Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok''''' (''Ragnars saga loðbrókar'') and '''"Tale of Ragnar’s Sons"''' ("Ragnarssona þáttr") are two [[TheHighMiddleAges 13th century]] [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic narratives]], telling the story of a prestigious clan of enterprising warlord-kings, set in [[InspiredBy a fictionalised 9th century]], in the heyday of the [[HornyVikings viking raids]]. The authorship is [[AnonymousAuthor anonymous]]. Despite what the titles suggest, the two narratives are not {{sequel}}s, rather different treatments of the same story, but with a shift in emphasis, and also a few inconsistencies between them. The "Tale" is much shorter than the ''Saga''.

[[quoteright:300:[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ragnar_Lodbroks_d%C3%B6d_by_Hugo_Hamilton.jpg http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RagnarLodbrok_6748.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:300:"Why did it have to be [[SnakePit snakes]]?"[[note]]"Because we don't have the technology for {{shark pool}}s yet?"[[/note]]]]

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The sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons are among those medieval works that deal explicitly with viking expeditions (even if they are not strong on the realism), and portrayal of Vikings in fiction often takes inspiration from them. This begins, of course, with all the fictional Viking chiefs called Ragnar. The 1958 Hollywood epic ''Film/TheVikings'' and 2013 TV series ''Series/{{Vikings}}'' are loosely based on the sagas.

* ImpossibleTask: Ragnar demands that Kraka visit him "neither dressed nor undressed, neither fed nor unfed", and that "she must not be all alone, but nevertheless no man may accompany her". Kraka solves the task by going wrapped in a fishnet, chewing on a leek, accompanied by a dog.