Ragnall ua Ímair facts for kids

Ragnall mac Bárid ua Ímair (also known as Rægnald) was a powerful Viking leader. He ruled parts of Northumbria (an old kingdom in northern England) and the Isle of Man in the early 900s. Ragnall was a grandson of Ímar, a famous Viking king. He was part of a powerful Viking family known as the Uí Ímair.

Ragnall was likely one of the Vikings forced to leave Dublin in 902. After that, he might have ruled land in southern Scotland or the Isle of Man. In 917, he and his relative Sitric Cáech sailed to Ireland with their fleets. They won several battles against local Irish kings. Sitric successfully took back Dublin and became its king. Ragnall then went back to England.

In 918, Ragnall fought against Constantín mac Áeda, the King of Scotland, in the Battle of Corbridge. This battle was not a clear win for either side. However, it helped Ragnall become king in York, a major city in Northumbria.

Some Christian Vikings in York did not like Ragnall because he followed pagan beliefs. They tried to make a deal with Æthelflæd, a powerful Anglo-Saxon ruler. But she died in 918, ending their plans. Ragnall's rule saw new coins being made. In 920, Ragnall and other northern kings made an agreement with Edward the Elder, the King of the Anglo-Saxons. Ragnall died in 921. Old records describe him as "king of the fair foreigners and the dark foreigners." His relative Sitric Cáech became king after him.

Viking History in Ireland

The Viking rulers of Dublin were forced out of the city in 902. This happened when Irish forces attacked them. The Vikings who survived went to different places like France, England, and Wales. Even after the rulers left, some Vikings stayed in Dublin.

Viking raids on Irish towns continued. In 914, a large Viking fleet arrived in Waterford, Ireland. This marked the return of Viking rule to parts of Ireland. More Vikings settled in Limerick the next year.

Historians learn about this time from old writings called annals and Norse sagas. Annals are like old diaries or records of events. Some annals are believed to be written around the time the events happened. Sagas were written much later and are not always as accurate.

Ragnall's Life and Rule

Ragnall likely left Dublin with other Viking leaders in 902. It seems he settled in southern Scotland or the Isle of Man. Some historians believe he was a King of Mann. We don't know if he also ruled parts of western and northern Scotland.

The first time Ragnall is mentioned in the old Irish records is in 914. It says he won a sea battle near the Isle of Man. In 917, Ragnall and his relative Sitric led their fleets to Ireland. Sitric sailed to Leinster, and Ragnall sailed to Waterford.

Niall Glúndub, a powerful Irish king, saw these Vikings as a threat. He led his army south to stop them. The Vikings fought Niall's men and won, but only because Ragnall and his army arrived just in time to help. After this, they fought another battle where a powerful Irish king named Augaire mac Ailella died. This loss meant the Irish could not effectively stop the Vikings from returning. Sitric then led his men back to Dublin and became its king.

In 918, Ragnall, along with his relative Gofraid and two earls, left Ireland. They went to fight Constantín son of Áed, the king of Scotland. This battle was called the Battle of Corbridge. It was a tough fight, and neither side won clearly. However, this battle allowed Ragnall to become king in York.

Ragnall quickly took control of the Vikings in York. But his rule was soon challenged by Christian Vikings in the city. They did not like that Ragnall followed pagan beliefs. This group tried to make a deal with Æthelflæd, a Christian Anglo-Saxon ruler. But she died in June 918, and the talks ended.

While Ragnall ruled York, three different types of coins were made. This shows that the government in Northumbria was still working. It's possible that the local Archbishop of York, Hrotheweard, was in charge of making coins and collecting taxes. Around 920, Ragnall and other northern kings made an agreement with Edward the Elder, the Anglo-Saxon king. The exact details of this agreement are not fully clear. Some records say they accepted Edward as their "father and lord." This might mean Ragnall agreed to be under Edward's rule, but many historians disagree. Ragnall died in 921. The Annals of Ulster called him "king of the fair foreigners and the dark foreigners". Sitric Cáech became king of Northumbria after Ragnall.

Ragnall's Family

In old records, Ragnall is called "ua Ímair," which means "grandson of Ímar." But his father's name is never mentioned. So, we don't know for sure which of Ímar's sons was Ragnall's father. It's possible his father was a son of Ímar who didn't rule Dublin, or who spent most of his time outside Ireland. This would make Ragnall's right to rule depend on his famous grandfather. Another idea is that Ragnall was Ímar's grandson through a daughter.

An individual known as Mac Ragnaill (meaning "son of Ragnall") is mentioned in old records. 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 by another king. Some records call Mac Ragnaill a jarl (a Viking chief), while others call him a king.

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