The Untold Saga: Unraveling the Mysterious Demise of Ragnar Lothbrok
Unravel the enigmatic tale of Ragnar Lothbrok's true demise and discover how his death shapes his legendary status in history, as explored in the series Vikings: Valhalla Explore the parallels between Ragnar's fate and other notable deaths in the Viking era
Summary
The real-life history of Ragnar Lothbrok remains a mystery, with his existence potentially being a combination of different figures.
The death scene of Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings, where he meets his demise in a pit filled with snakes, draws inspiration from ancient legends and adds a heightened sense of drama to the storyline.
Ragnar's significance transcends his death in Vikings: Valhalla, a spinoff that takes place more than a century later, exemplifying the enduring influence of his legacy.
Season 4 of Vikings marked the end of the series' protagonist, Ragnar Lothbrok. However, how did the real Ragnar meet his demise and was the depiction of his death scene accurate? Initially, Vikings followed Ragnar Lothbrok and his Viking brothers on their travels and raids. As the series progressed, the focus shifted to Ragnar's sons and their own journeys, making them the central characters. While Vikings is rooted in historical drama and extensive research was conducted during its development, certain elements had to be fabricated in order to tell the desired story, particularly considering the limited historical records available on the show's characters.
Thus, answering the question of how Ragnar Lothbrok died becomes complex. Ragnar remains an enigma, with Vikings drawing inspiration from various legends surrounding him. In the death scene portrayed in season 4's episode "All His Angels," Ragnar is tortured, has a cross cut into his head, and is ultimately thrown into a pit of snakes from which he cannot escape. This depiction aligns with the legend surrounding the real Ragnar's death. However, the challenge lies in the uncertainty surrounding Ragnar's existence, suggesting that the well-known Viking warrior may in fact be a composite of different historical figures.
Ragnar's Real-Life History Is Shrouded In Mystery
The figure known as Ragnar Lothbrok is believed to be a composite of three different individuals: Viking leader Reginherus, King Horik I of Denmark (who is featured in the series), and King Reginfrid. Determining how Ragnar died in reality and the accuracy of his death scene in the show becomes challenging when considering these variations. Reginherus supposedly met his demise, whereas King Horik I, along with other kings, died in a battle against his exiled brother, Guttorm, who sought to reclaim the throne. Additionally, King Reginfrid is said to have perished during an attempted invasion.
When adapting the Ragnar Lothbrok death story for television, choosing to depict his demise as being consumed by a pit of snakes, as in the legend, creates a more compelling and dramatic narrative compared to dying in battle or a failed invasion. While the TV show Vikings is not entirely historically accurate, it is understandable that its creator, Michael Hirst, and his team have taken artistic liberties due to limited available information. Ragnar's case is particularly unique, as almost everything about him is based on speculation and legend. Nevertheless, the series manages to portray the most captivating and dramatic version of his death.
Vikings: Valhalla Shows That Ragnar Was A Legend After His Death
The latest spinoff of Vikings, titled Vikings: Valhalla, takes place more than 100 years after the events of its predecessor and follows the exploits of Leif Erikson. Despite the passing of time, Ragnar Lothbrok, a significant character in the previous show, remains influential in Vikings: Valhalla. Throughout the series, the main characters frequently mention Ragnar and his legendary accomplishments. His impact on Viking culture lasted for centuries, even though the specifics of his life have been largely forgotten. The children on the show are likely to hear exaggerated tales of Lothbrok and his adventures as a renowned Viking, ensuring that his presence is not forgotten. Therefore, despite passing away in season 4 of Vikings, Ragnar Lothbrok's legacy endures in the spinoff, Vikings: Valhalla. His death is just as responsible as his life for cementing his place in history.
How The Ragnar Lothbrok Death Compares To Other Vikings Deaths
After Travis Fimmel's departure from Vikings in season 4 and the death of Ragnar Lothbrok, it became clear to the audience that the show was not afraid to eliminate significant characters. Throughout the series, many of the main cast members met their demise, with the final season witnessing the most significant character deaths. While some of these deaths adhered to historical records, others deviated from them. In season 6, Lagertha dies after Hvitserk's hallucinations led him to believe she was a serpent and he unknowingly stabbed her. As Lagertha's character is only mentioned alongside Ragnar in Saxo's Gesta Danorum, the true cause of her death remains unknown.
In season 4, episode 15 of Vikings, Ragnar passes away, and his son Björn Ironside meets a similar fate two seasons later, only a few episodes away from the series' conclusion. Like Lagertha, Björn's death is not documented in historical records. Hence, the depiction of his brother Ivar stabbing him is a more dramatic interpretation created by Vikings. Ivar the Boneless also dies in season 6, during a battle where he is repeatedly stabbed with a dagger. Historical accounts vary regarding his demise, mirroring the uncertainty surrounding many of the main character deaths in Vikings. While some sources claim he died of an illness, the discovery of a mass grave in England supports Vikings' depiction of his death.
