Vikings were seafaring people from Scandinavia who were known for their fierce warrior culture, advanced shipbuilding technology, and artistic craftsmanship. Over time, famous Vikings have become legendary figures in popular culture, with portrayals in movies, TV shows, and literature.
This article will explore the life of the top 14 most famous Vikings in history:
14: Gorm the Old
During the Viking Age, as the Norsemen expanded their territories through conquests and violence into the Continent, they faced opposition from European Christians, who launched a cultural counterattack in the form of missionaries.
Gorm the Old, the ruler of Jutland in present-day northern Denmark, was an exception among the Norsemen, as he opposed this cultural transformation due to his loyalty to the old gods.
Although not named after his advanced age but for his dedication, Gorm was born around 900 and became the first acknowledged king of Denmark in 936 and ruled until his death in 958.
13: Harald Bluetooth
Harald Gormsson, also known as Harald Bluetooth, was born around 935 as the son of Gorm the Old. After his father’s death in 958, Harald ascended to the throne and even briefly ruled over Norway around 970.
He commissioned the Jelling Stones, which are famous for the runic inscriptions they bear and were erected to commemorate his parents.
Harald also initiated the strengthening of existing defensive structures and the erection of new fortifications to safeguard his kingdom against the Saxons. During his reign, there was a significant religious shift, with many Danish Vikings converting to Christianity.
12: Egil Skallagrimsson
Much of what we know about Egil Skallagrimsson, the archetypal warrior-poet, is shrouded in legend. Despite the tendency of sagas towards drama and exaggeration, Egil remains a remarkable figure.
Egil’s Saga depicts him as a multifaceted individual with a tendency for violent rage, yet he possessed an exceptional poetic sensitivity, with his literary works being considered some of the finest in ancient Scandinavia.
It is mentioned that Egil had committed his first killing at just seven years of age using an axe to assault another boy. This action, among others like it, contributed to a ruthless life spent pillaging and plundering.
11: Eric Bloodaxe
Eric Bloodaxe was born into the Viking lifestyle as one of Norway’s first kings, Harald Fairhair’s many sons. Since the age of 12, he is believed to have taken part in violent raids across Europe.
He soon discovered that aggression was the most successful way to stand out within the Viking society. Eric, whose birth name was Eric Haraldsson, obtained his emotive nickname by eliminating all but one of his siblings.
10: Rollo of Normandy
Gaange Rolf, better known as Rollo, was born around 860 and was a subject of Harald Fairhair. During his youth, he raided the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. In 911, he joined Viking forces on an expedition to take Paris again by sailing up the Seine River.
Although the French king, Charles the Simple paid them 700 livres of silver to leave, he also offered Rollo land in return for his allegiance and protection of the Frankia kingdom.
Rollo and his Viking vassals settled on the northern coast of France, which is now known as Normandy. They established a dynasty that would later include William the Conqueror. Rollo was baptized into the Christian church and given the name Robert, although he persisted in worshipping Norse gods until his death.
9: Sweyn Forkbeard
Many names have been used to refer to Sweyn, such as Sweyn Forkbeard, Sweyn Dateniad (in English sources), Svein, Svend, Swegen, and Sveinn Tjúguskegg. However, the name that he made for himself was far more significant.
After rebelling against his father, Harald Bluetooth, Sweyn took over the throne in late 986 or early 987. By AD 1000, Sweyn ruled over most of Norway and became the first Danish monarch to mint coins featuring his image under the inscription “Sven, king of the Danes.”
After many years of military campaigning against England, he was declared King of England in 1013. Sadly, Sweyn died just five weeks after being proclaimed king.
8: Freydis Eiriksdottir
Freydis, the daughter of Erik the Red, demonstrated that she possessed her father’s blood as much as her brother Leif Erikson did.
While there are only two Vinland sagas that mention Freydis, it is said that during her expedition to North America with her brother, she bravely wielded a sword and scared off natives – all while being pregnant.
7: Lagertha
Lagertha, a legendary figure, was a Viking ruler hailing from modern-day Norway and also a shield maiden. She is known as the former wife of the renowned Viking, Ragnar Lodbrok. Her story has been documented in the 12th century by the chronicler Saxo.
Lagertha began her career as a warrior during a battle between the kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. The Swedish king, Frø, attacked Norway, resulting in the death of the Norwegian king Siward.
Ragnar Lodbrok, Siward’s grandson, who was enraged by this injustice, decided to take revenge and marched with his army. Some of the women who were mistreated by Frø disguised themselves as men and fought alongside Ragnar’s army. Among them, Lagertha played a significant role and was instrumental in Ragnar’s victory.
6: Eric the Red
Erik Thorvaldsson, who was given the nickname “the Red” on account of his hair color, was born in AD 950. After embroiling in a feud with other settlers in AD 982, he was banished for three years.
During this period of exile, he explored new lands. Although the discovery of Greenland is sometimes attributed to Erik the Red, it is more probable that the Norseman were already aware of its existence.
What Erik did, however, was discover ice-free areas that could sustain cultivation. He returned to Iceland in 985 and persuaded enough Norsemen to establish homesteads and form settlements along the Southwest coast of Greenland.
5: Björn Ironside
Björn Ironside was a renowned Viking leader and ruled as the King of Sweden. He was believed to be born in the 9th century and was the son of the infamous Ragnar Lodbrok.
Bjorn departed from Denmark under the command of his father, Ragnar Lothbrok, to pillage West Francia. Following this, he raided along the Iberian coastline and penetrated the Mediterranean, prior to his passing in Frisia.
4: Ivar the Boneless
Ivar, one of the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, earned his moniker “the Boneless” due to a susceptibility to frequent leg fractures, heightening his formidable persona.
His reputation as a Berserker – an elite force of Norse fighters renowned for their frenzied savagery, only adds to his prowess. Ivar, alongside his siblings, gained notoriety for invading multiple Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
3: Leif Erikson
Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, accompanied his father to the newly formed Greenland settlements. However, in 999, he embarked on a pioneering expedition westward along with 35 men.
On their journey, they explored three locations: Helluland (‘Flat-Rock Land,” likely Baffin Island), Markland (“Forest Land,” perhaps modern-day Labrador), and Vinland (“Land of Grapes,” now recognized as the area surrounding the Gulf of St. Lawrence).
Leif established a settlement in Vinland, but due to conflicts with the indigenous people, known by Norsemen as “Skraelings,” it eventually became unmanageable. Hence, the group of survivors returned to Greenland.
2: Harald Hardrada
Harald Hardrada, also known as “The Hard Ruler,” was considered by many historians as the last great Viking ruler during the downturn of the Viking Age in the mid-11th century.
After successfully establishing himself as the king of Norway, he set his sights on England in 1066. Unfortunately, he was defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge against King Harold Godwinson’s English forces, resulting in his demise.
Nevertheless, just three days later, William the Conqueror landed on the Sussex coast with his Norman army, commencing his conquest of the English throne and forever altering British history.
1: Ragnar Lodbrok
The Norse sagas credit Ragnar, whether he was one individual or a combination of several is debated. He is credited with the invasion and conquest of Northumbria in England, as well as the famous raid on the relatively small but significant city of Paris in AD 845.
Ragnar Lodbrok was the father of several legendary Viking warriors, including Bjorn Ironside, Ivor the Boneless, Ubba, Halfdan Ragnarsson, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye.
Despite its size, Paris was regarded as the heart of power, culture, and trade in Western Europe at the time, and this event led to a large bribe of 7,000 livres being paid by Charles the Bald, King of West Frankia, in exchange for the Vikings’ retreat – at least temporarily.