Ivar the Boneless facts for kids
Ivar the Boneless (also known as Ivar Ragnarsson) was a famous Viking leader. He lived in the 9th century and led Viking armies that invaded parts of England and Ireland. He is often thought to be the same person as Ímar, a Viking king who ruled Dublin from about 870 to 873.
According to old stories called sagas, Ivar was the son of a legendary Viking hero named Ragnar Loðbrok. His brothers were Björn Ironside, Hvitserk, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Ubba. However, historians are not completely sure if these family connections are true.
What Does "Boneless" Mean?
The nickname "Ivar the Boneless" is a bit of a mystery. In Old Norse, the word "bein" can mean both "bone" and "leg." So, "beinlausi" could mean "boneless" or "legless."
Some old Viking sagas describe Ivar as having no legs or bones. Others suggest he might have had a condition that affected his bones. One idea is that he had a disease like osteogenesis imperfecta, which makes bones very fragile. This might explain why he was called "boneless."
Ivar's Death
Historical records tell us that Ivar died around 873. An old Irish record, the Annals of Ulster, mentions the death of Ímar in that year. This supports the idea that Ivar and Ímar were the same person.
Some stories say he died from a sudden and terrible illness. This illness might have been connected to his "boneless" nickname. It could have been a disease that weakened him at the end of his life.
In 1686, a burial mound was found in Repton, England. It was near a place where a big Viking army once fought. Inside the mound, there was a main body surrounded by over 250 other skeletons. This suggests the person buried there was very important. Some people think this might be the final resting place of Ivar the Boneless.
According to one saga, Ivar wanted to be buried in a place that was easy for enemies to attack. He believed that if he was buried there, invaders would have bad luck. The saga says this was true until William the Conqueror arrived. William supposedly dug up Ivar's grave and burned his body. After that, William was able to win his invasion.
Ivar in Stories and Games
Ivar the Boneless has appeared in many modern stories, movies, and video games.
- In the 1969 film Alfred the Great, Ivar is shown as a very quick and skilled warrior.
- The 2013 movie Hammer of the Gods features Ivar as a reclusive Viking.
- The popular TV series Vikings shows Ivar as a son of Ragnar Lothbrok. He is played by James Quinn Markey and Alex Høgh Andersen.
- The music video for the song Barbarian by The Darkness shows Ivar's invasion of East Anglia.
- He is a character in the 1993 novel The Hammer and the Cross.
- In Bernard Cornwell’s 2004 novel The Last Kingdom, Ivar is a minor character. His nickname is explained by him being very thin.
- Ivar is an important character in the video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. This game takes place in England during the Viking Age.
- In the 2020 game Crusader Kings 3, Ivar is a playable character. His character in the game is missing a leg, which might be a nod to his nickname.
