Lagertha the viking

Saxo introduces her as the kinswoman of a Norwegian king killed by a hostile foreign force, who then forced the women of the royal lagertha the viking into prostitution. Of these women, Saxo names only Lagertha: his brief portrait of her is based on the amazon warrior-women of the classical world, lagertha the viking. On the battlefield, her long hair betrays the fact that she is a woman. Ragnar attributes his victory to Lagertha, and seeks her hand in marriage.

But what about the real Lagertha that the character is based on? There is a lot of debate as to whether Lagertha was a real person or an invented character used to represent shield maidens in Viking storytelling. Read more about Vikings. Lagertha is featured as the first wife of Danish king Ragnar Lothbrok. Unfortunately, as the account details Ragnar's life, we know very little about Lagertha herself. According to Saxo, Lagertha was a shield maiden of particular skill and ferocity. She is known for her cunning and ability to hold her own on the battlefield and is credited with turning the tide of battle in favour of Ragnar multiple times.

Lagertha the viking

Lagertha was a Viking Shield-Maiden who became known for her bravery and for her great fighting skills and war tactics. Thanks to ancient documents such as the cantares de gesta or the creation of documentaries and sagas we can know more about her, although its veracity can be doubtful since it combines reality with legendary facts. Lagertha was born in Denmark, more specifically from Selandia, currently the largest island of the country. In order to become a great warrior, she went through several stages. It all began when a warlord known as Frodo, conquered Norway around the year , and killed the Jarl Siward, who, at that time, was the ruler. After this, the conqueror sent all the women who had family ties with the old jarl to a brothel where they would be raped by all the men who desired it. It was there that Ragnar Lothbrok, upon learning of the murder, traveled to the city of Selandia to bring justice to the jarl, who was apparently Ragnar's grandfather. While confronting Frodo with his army, the female brothel inmates managed to escape by disguising themselves in male attire. Some decided to join the battle as is the case of Lagertha who wanted to finish off the invader. In the battle she caused a great impact due to her bravery and strength. It was in that moment when Ragnar, her future husband, fell in love with her. After the great battle against Frodo, Ragnar tried to marry Lagertha, but she did not make it easy for him.

She accepts but at the same time swears she will kill him for having usurped her.

Lagertha , according to legend , was a Viking ruler and shield-maiden from what is now Norway , and the onetime wife of the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. Her tale was recorded by the chronicler Saxo in the 12th century. According to the historian Judith Jesch , Saxo's tales about warrior women are largely fictional; other historians wrote that they may have a basis in tales about the Norse deity Thorgerd. Her name as recorded by Saxo, Lathgertha has also been recorded as Lagertha, Ladgertha , Ladgerda or similar. Lagertha's tale is recorded in passages in the ninth book of the Gesta Danorum , a twelfth-century work of Danish history by the Christian historian Saxo Grammaticus.

Lagertha is the first and former wife of Ragnar Lothbrok and the former Queen of Kattegat. Lagertha is an Earl and a fierce shield-maiden. Lagertha was brought up by her father to be a shield-maiden. At an unspecified time, Ragnar went to Lagertha's home to confess his love for her, but he was set upon by a bear and an enormous hound who guarded her home. Ragnar killed the bear with his spear and strangled the hound with his bare hands, thus gaining her hand in marriage.

Lagertha the viking

The legendary Norse shieldmaiden Lagertha is one of the strongest and most prominent examples of historical warrior women. Yet, the question persists — was Lagertha a real person or just a myth? Some stories equate her with the Norse goddess Thorgerd. The main account we have of her story comes from a famous and renowned 12 th century historian. He even writes that she literally flies across the battlefield like a Valkyrie. Nevertheless, Saxo Grammaticus tells the story of not just Lagertha but also of some sixty other Danish kings, queens, and heroes too, with much of the description being considered a credible historical record. She fought valiantly by his side in numerous battles and ruled his kingdom as his equal, and even ruled on her own for quite a while after that. Neither Lagertha nor the rest of the captives intended to run away and hide. Instead, they joined the fight.

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After the harsh war, there are several theories as she returned to Norway where she killed her future husband taking advantage of the conjugal moment, or killed him with a spearhead hidden in her inner thighs after falling out with him. She is not as firm a believer in the gods and prophesies as her husband is, particularly given that the Seer told him he'd have many sons and she has not been able to have more children after Gyda. Lagertha finds out from Guthrum that Floki has secretly recruited settlers to leave with him. Policies Administrators Guidelines Affiliates Recent blog posts. While Lagertha isn't quite as forward thinking as Ragnar is, she supports his decisions almost instantaneously, clearly trusting and respecting his decisions inside and outside of battle. Download as PDF Printable version. I have lost so many. Hakon , a fisherman who was bribed by Astrid, informs Lagertha that at the next full moon Ivar and Harald will attack Kattegat together. She gives him twenty ships to help defeat his enemies. However, their relationship falls apart after a pregnant Aslaug arrives in Kattegat. Translated by Oliver Elton.

Lagertha , according to legend , was a Viking ruler and shield-maiden from what is now Norway , and the onetime wife of the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok.

How a Viking laid the groundwork for the King of England. The defeated Vikings return home. Ragnar asked if he may marry both of them, for the sake of their children. The gods have already written my story. Her direct bluntness and lack of tact tends to rub salt in the wounds that her actions created. He branded you for being disloyal to Ragnar, and everything Ragnar stood for! Lagertha and Ragnar have a very loving relationship. She is not as firm a believer in the gods and prophesies as her husband is, particularly given that the Seer told him he'd have many sons and she has not been able to have more children after Gyda. Kalf reveling wanting her with him in Hedeby. She is watching and listening to King Bjorn address the people of Kattegat about the future of their town. Home Discover Famous Vikings Lagertha. Halfdan, Floki, and Lagertha are wounded in the battle. Lagertha smiles. Ivar challenges Lagertha to single combat, but is refused, and promises that he will kill Lagertha one day. Vikings Wiki Explore.