Halfdan Ragnarsson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Halfdan Ragnarsson
King of Northumbria
Reign	876–877
Predecessor	Ricsige
Successor	Guthfrith
King of Dublin (Disputed)
Reign	875–877
Predecessor	Eystein Olafsson
Successor	Bárid
Co-ruler of Denmark (possibly Jutland)
Reign	871–877
Predecessor	Bagsecg
Successor	Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye
Died	877 Strangford Lough
Father	possibly Ragnar Lodbrok, or whoever was historical basis for the possibly legendary character
Mother	possibly Aslaug, or historical basis for a legendary character

Halfdan Ragnarsson (also known as Healfdene or Albann) was a famous Viking leader. He was a key commander of the Great Heathen Army. This army invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England starting in the year 865.

Norse stories (called sagas) say Halfdan was one of six sons of a legendary figure named Ragnar Lodbrok. His brothers or half-brothers included Björn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ubba, and Hvitserk. Some historians think Halfdan and Hvitserk might have been the same person. This is because Halfdan was a common Viking name. Hvitserk (meaning "white shirt") could have been a nickname.

Halfdan became the first Viking King of Northumbria. He also tried to become king of Kingdom of Dublin. It's possible he was a co-ruler of Denmark for a while with his brother Sigurd. Frankish records mention a "Sigfred and Halfdan" ruling in 873. Halfdan died in 877 at the Battle of Strangford Lough. He was trying to take control of Dublin at the time.

Who Was Halfdan Ragnarsson?

Halfdan was one of the main leaders of the Great Heathen Army. This army invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia in 865. According to Norse sagas, Ragnar Lodbrok's sons organized this invasion. They wanted revenge against Ælla of Northumbria. Ælla supposedly killed Ragnar, but we don't know if this story is true. Most people believe these invaders were Danes.

The Great Heathen Army's Invasion

In the autumn of 865, the Great Heathen Army landed in East Anglia. They stayed there for the winter and got horses. The next year, the army moved north. They invaded Northumbria. At that time, Northumbria was in a civil war. Two men, Ælla and Osberht, were fighting to be king.

Late in 866, the Viking army captured the rich city of York. The next year, Ælla and Osberht joined forces. They tried to take back the city. But their attack failed, and both kings died in battle. With no strong leader, Northumbrian resistance ended. The Danes put a "puppet-king" named Ecgberht in charge. He ruled for them and collected taxes.

Later that year, the army moved south. They invaded the Kingdom of Mercia. They captured the town of Nottingham and stayed there for the winter. The Mercian king, Burghred, teamed up with the West Saxon King Æthelred. Together, they surrounded Nottingham. The Anglo-Saxons couldn't take the city back. So, they agreed to a truce. The Danes would go back to York. They stayed there for over a year, getting ready for more attacks.

Conquest of East Anglia and Wessex

The Danes returned to East Anglia in 869. This time, they planned to conquer it. They took Thetford to stay there for the winter. But an East Anglian army met them. The East Anglian army was defeated. Their commander, King Edmund, was killed. Old stories say Edmund was a martyr. He refused to give up his Christian faith for the Danes. Ivar and Ubba are named as the Danish commanders who killed Edmund. We don't know what part Halfdan played.

After East Anglia was conquered, Ivar seems to have left the Great Heathen Army. His name disappears from English records after 870. However, he is thought to be the same person as Ímar, a Norse King of Dublin. Ímar died in 873. With Ivar in Ireland, Halfdan became the main commander of the army.

In 870, Halfdan led the army in an invasion of Wessex. After Ivar left, many Viking warriors arrived from Scandinavia. This was called the Great Summer Army, led by Bagsecg. They joined Halfdan's army, making it stronger. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says the Danes fought the West Saxons nine times. One big battle was the Battle of Ashdown on January 8, 871. But the West Saxons couldn't be fully defeated. Halfdan agreed to a truce with Alfred, the new king of Wessex.

Halfdan's Later Campaigns

The army went back to the captured city of London. They stayed there for the winter of 871-872. Coins made in London during this time have Halfdan's name on them. This shows he was their leader. In the autumn of 872, the army returned to Northumbria. They went to stop a revolt against their puppet-ruler Ecgberht. Some historians think they moved north because of a war with Mercia instead.

The army spent the winter at Torksey. A year later, they were reported to be in the Repton area. They conquered Mercia in 874. The Mercian King Burghred was removed. A Danish puppet-ruler, Ceolwulf, took his place.

After this victory, the army split into two groups. One group, led by Guthrum, went south to keep fighting Wessex. The other group, led by Halfdan, went north. They fought against the Picts and Britons of Strathclyde.

Halfdan in Ireland and Death

According to the Annals of Ulster, Eystein Olafsson, the King of Dublin, was killed in 875. He was killed "deceitfully" by "Albann," which is believed to be Halfdan. Halfdan's brother Ivar had ruled Dublin before he died in 873. It seems Halfdan was trying to get back his brother's kingdom.

Halfdan didn't stay in Ireland. In 876, he and his forces returned to Northumbria. They settled an area that was mostly the old Kingdom of Deira. The northern part of Northumbria stayed under Anglian rule. Some sources call Halfdan King of Jórvík starting in 876.

Halfdan's control of Dublin was not strong. He was removed from power while he was in York. He went back to Ireland in 877 to try and take the city back. But he met an army of "Fair Heathens." This term usually means Vikings who had been in Ireland for a long time. Halfdan was part of the "Dark Heathens," who were newer arrivals. The two forces met at the Battle of Strangford Lough. Halfdan was killed in this battle.

The men who survived Halfdan's army went back to Northumbria through Scotland. They fought a battle along the way where Constantine I, King of the Picts was killed. The Vikings in Northumbria did not have a king until 883. That's when Guthred became king there.

Was Halfdan a Real Person?

Halfdan and his supposed brothers are considered real historical figures. However, there are no old records that say they were related. Also, historians disagree about whether their supposed father, Ragnar Lodbrok, was a real person.

Some scholars believe that parts of Ragnar's story are based on real events. But others, like Katherine Holman, say that while his sons are real, there's no proof Ragnar himself ever lived. He might be a mix of several different historical people and made-up stories.