The Story of Real Lagertha, c. 12th Century

The Story of Real Lagertha, c. 12th Century

According to the ancient text the Gesta Danorum, or “Deeds of the Danes” by 12th Century chronicler Saxo Grammaticus, Lagertha was a legendary Viking shieldmaiden. She was related to the Norwegian King Siward.

When the King of Sweden Frø invaded Norway and murdered Siward, he forced all of the King’s female family into a brothel to further humiliate him. Upon learning of this a young Ragnar Lodbrok raised an army to avenge Siward’s death.

Lagertha and many other women managed to escape and, disguising themselves as men, joined Ragnar’s forces. Saxo recounted that “though a maiden [she] had the courage of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. All marvelled at her matchless deeds”. Ragnar was stunned by Lagertha’s courage and insisted she marry him.

She refused and instead decided to test his desire for her. Lagertha summoned him to her home, which she had guarded by a bear and a hound. If Ragnar could reach her, she would marry him. Ragnar killed the bear with a spear, choked the hound and won her hand in marriage.

They had a son together, Fridleif, and two daughters. Later Ragnar travelled to Denmark to fight in a civil war and while there married the daughter of the Swedish King Herraud. He was in need of reinforcements from Norway and a still heartbroken Lagertha came to his aid with 120 ships. At the height of the battle, Lagertha lead a courageous counter attack that ensured their victory.

Returning to Norway she remarried but killed her husband with a spearhead she had concealed in her wedding gown, then “usurped the whole of his name and sovereignty, for [she] thought it pleasanter to rule without her husband than to share the throne with him”.

Photo – Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha in Vikings , image credit to the owner.