Vikings: Every Character Based On Real Historical Figures

26. Ragnar Lothbrok

Even though he is the main character of the first few seasons of the show, Ragnar Lothbrok was most likely not the person you saw on TV. Stories of his life are written down in many historical texts as if he were real, but many people think that he is a compilation of several different people.

In the show, he is the first Viking who attacks England and France. Since he lived in the early-mid 9th century, he would have arrived after the countries had already been visited by other Vikings. Some believe that he (or one of the people he is based on) was the first to start settlements and to claim land in the conquered territories though.

Similarly to the show, he is mentioned as the father of Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless in real life. He was also married to Lagertha and Aslaug, but in real life he also married Princess Thora.

Most sources say he died in England, either by being thrown in a snake pit by King Ælla in Northumbria or by being killed by King Edmund in East Anglia. A few sources say he died during a Viking Siege in France.