General Notes

The celebrated and heroic warrior, invaded England in 794, was taken prisoner by Aella, King of Northumberland, who put him to death in a most cruel manner. Sailed up the Seine in 845 and Plundered Paris. When King Charles challenged him with an army poised on both sides of the river, Ragnar went ashore and defeated the first half where upon he celebrated by sacrificing 111 prisoners by hanging to the Nordic Gods, then crossed over the river to defeat the other half , this caused King Charles to sek refuse in a convent. When Ragnar said up the Seine again Charles paid him 7,000 pounds if silver to keep away.

Note:
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Information copied from Wayne Iverson, World Connect db=wiversrm, rootsweb.com
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He was a semi-legendary King.

He is said to possibly be the Ragnar who entered the Seine in 845 with 120 ships. Charles the Bald deployed his army on both sides of the river and Ragnar attacked and routed the smaller contingent and hung 111 prisoners on an island in full viewof the other Frankish force who offered no more resistance. Ragnar sailed into Paris and sacked it on Easter Sunday. Charles the Bald paid him 7000 pounds of silver to depart in peace and thus gained six years free of invasion.

Another story says in his old age he became jealous of his son's reknown as vikings and raided Northumberland and was captured by King Ella who threw him in a snake pit. As he was being bitten he sang his death song starting each stanza with "Down we hewed them with our swords" and in his dying breath prophesized, "How piglets would grunt if they know the plight of the boar!"

His sons did avenge his death by capturing King Ella, carved a "blood eagle" on his back, hacked out his ribs and pulled his lungs out spreading them across his back like wings.[jweber.ged]


The celebrated and heroic warrior, invaded England in 794, was taken prisoner by Aella, King of Northumberland, who put him to death in a most cruel manner. Sailed up the Seine in 845 and Plundered Paris. When King Charles challenged him with an army poised on both sides of the river, Ragnar went ashore and defeated the first half where upon he celebrated by sacrificing 111 prisoners by hanging to the Nordic Gods, then crossed over the river to defeat the other half , this caused King Charles to sek refuse in a convent. When Ragnar said up the Seine again Charles paid him 7,000 pounds if silver to keep away.