Ragnall Guthfrithson facts for kids

A silver coin from Ragnall Guthfrithson's time.

Ragnall Guthfrithson was a powerful Viking leader. He lived in the 10th century. He ruled a part of England called Viking Yorkshire. This area was once controlled by Norse (Viking) people.

Ragnall was the son of Gofraid ua Ímair. He was also a great-grandson of Ímar. This made him part of the important Uí Ímair family. This family was very influential among the Vikings. Ragnall was king of Northumbria in 943 and 944. He might have ruled with Olaf Cuaran. Or, they might have been rivals. Both Ragnall and Olaf were forced out of Northumbria in 944. This happened because the English took control. We don't know much about Ragnall's life after this. Some records suggest he was a "king of the Danes" who died in York around 944 or 945.

Who Was Ragnall Guthfrithson?

Ragnall first appears in history in 943. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is an old English record. It says that Olaf Cuaran was baptised that year. Edmund I, the King of the English, was his sponsor. A sponsor is someone who supports you.

Later that same year, Ragnall was confirmed. King Edmund was also his sponsor. Both Olaf and Ragnall were called kings. It's not clear if they ruled together. They might have been co-rulers. Or, they might have been kings fighting each other.

Did Ragnall and Olaf Rule Together?

Some historians think King Edmund might have encouraged their rivalry. This would have helped him gain power. Coins from that time show both Ragnall's and Olaf's names. This suggests they both ruled in York for a while. There are also coins with the name of a king called Sitric. He might have ruled with Olaf before Ragnall arrived. If Ragnall came in late 943, it would explain his confirmation ceremony.

How Did Ragnall Lose His Kingdom?

An old record called Historia Regum says Olaf Cuaran was driven out in 943. But the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says both Olaf and Ragnall were driven out in 944. King Edmund of England was the one who forced them out.

One idea is that Olaf was only driven from the city of York in 943. He might have kept fighting Ragnall for Northumbria. Then, in 944, both were finally removed. The chronicler Æthelweard wrote about this. He said Wulfstan, the Archbishop of York, helped remove them. An important leader from Mercia also helped. They forced Ragnall and Olaf to accept King Edmund's rule.

We don't know for sure what happened to Ragnall after 944. One record, the Annals of Clonmacnoise, mentions a "king of the Danes" who died. This king was killed by the Saxons in York in 944 or 945. This person might have been Ragnall, but the record doesn't give a name.

Ragnall's Family Connections

Ragnall's father was Gofraid ua Ímair. Gofraid was king of Dublin from 921 to 934. He also ruled Northumbria for a short time in 927. In old records, Gofraid is called "ua Ímair." This means "grandson of Ímar." But the records don't say which of Ímar's sons was Gofraid's father.

Ímar is thought to be Ivar the Boneless. He started the Uí Ímair family. He was one of the first kings of Dublin in the mid-800s. Ragnall had three known brothers. Albann died in battle in 926. Amlaíb was another brother. He was king of Dublin and Northumbria. Blácaire was also a brother. He was king of Dublin from 940–945 and again from 947-948.

Did Ragnall Have Children?

Records mention an individual called Mac Ragnaill. This means "son of Ragnall." He might have been Ragnall's son, but his name is not given. In 942, Mac Ragnaill led a raid on Downpatrick. But he was killed within a week. Matudán, the Overking of Ulster, killed him.

The Annals of the Four Masters calls Mac Ragnaill a jarl. A jarl was a Viking nobleman. The Annals of Ulster calls him a king. The Annals of the Four Masters also suggests he came from an island.

Ragnall's Family Tree