The Viking Age was full of real and mythical warriors, whose names still resonate in the modern world. In this post, we look at five of the toughest Vikings! They didn't choose the Viking life, the Viking life chose them!
5. Gunnar Hamundarson
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source: alchetron.com
Gunnar was the hero of the Icelandic Saga 'The Saga of Burnt Njal', a blood thirsty tale of revenge. He was ambidextrous and used both hands in fighting, whilst his swordsmanship was so fast 'three seemed to slash through the air at once'. Not only that, but he was adept with bow and arrow and able to jump his own height even in full armour! Gunnar spent a lot of time raiding the coasts of Norway and Denmark, during which time he killed two men from the same family and the rest of their kinsmen came after him. Although he was able to hold off his attackers using his bow, the string broke. Gunnar asked his wife to use her hair as string, but refused after he had slapped her and the men overwhelmed and killed him.
4. Erik the Red
Source: Wikipedia
Erik was a murderer who was exiled from Norway to Iceland. He settled there, but again murdered several other men and was exiled for three more years. He wasn't lazy and spent his exile exploring, during this time he sailed west and discovered Greenland. He returned to Iceland and gathered men and women in a great fleet and set sail back to Greenland. Only half the ships made the journey and Erik set up a farmstead at Brattahlíð. He declared himself the Chieftain of the newly settled land and had a daughter and three sons, one of which was Leif the Lucky, who went on to discover North America.
3. Ragnar Lodbrok
Source: History Channel
Ragnar was most likely mythical, but his legend was, well, legendary... In order to impress a princess the fifteen year old Ragnar destroyed a poisonous snake infestation by wearing snake proof trousers. They were made from animal skin, sand and boiling tar and this earned him the nickname 'Hairy-Breeches'. Ragnar then raided France and was paid a ransom by Charles the Bald of 7000 pounds of silver not to sack Paris. Ragnar was later shipwrecked on the coast of England, captured and executed by being thrown in a pit of vipers. There's more about the legend of Ragnar on this Norse Fury Blog Post.
2. Ivar the Boneless
Source: vikings.wikia.com
Typical for the son of Ragnar Lodbrok, Ivar was also fearless and, although he had a condition that meant his bones broke easily, was not afraid of fighting. He would be carried into battle on a shield where he used a bow and arrow. He took the throne of Dublin in 856, and then later led the Great Heathen Army to England. After capturing York, Ivar, in vengeance for his father's death, had King Aelle Blood Eagled, where his back was carved in the shape of wings and his heart, lungs and ribs cut out! Ivar then went on to capture East Anglia, using the king there as target practise before beheading him. Finally, Ivar returned to Dublin and spent the rest of his days as King there.
1. Egil Skallagrimsonn
Source: Wikipedia
Egil was a warrior poet who composed his first poem at the age of three. However, he was also an unruly kid. When he was seven Egil was cheated by another boy, so he went home and returned with an axe with which he used to split the boy's head open from his skull to his teeth. His fury continued into adult life and his murder rate was so high that he was forced to flee from Norway when the king decided enough was enough. The outlaw life suited Egil, and he plundered and pillaged, even taking on eleven men alone, tearing their throats with his teeth and gouging out their eyes. Despite a lifetime of bloodshed, Egil lived into his eighties. He died after he killed his slave, who had helped him bury his treasure!