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For others named Ragnar, see Earl Ragnar or Ragnar Lothbrok.

"I will make no proclamations except everything is possible. I will say nothing more than it is time to change these lands forever. It is time to begin a story that will be told amongst the living and by those in Valhalla forever more. It will be our song, and our story. Let it begin."
—Ragnar's speech to the Danes[src]

Ragnar Ragnarsson or Ragnar the Younger (later known as Ragnar of Northumbria) was a main character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series.

He was brave, loyal, fair, and would always come to Uhtred's aid when he's most needed, despite struggling with his brother's enduring loyalty to Alfred and the Saxon cause.

Biography[]

The Saxon Stories[]

(To Be Added)

The Last Kingdom[]

Ragnar is accompanied by his father, Earl Ragnar, his grandfather, Ravn; a fellow Danish warlord, Ubba; as well as their ship master, Kjartan. They sail to Eoferwic to meet up with Guthrum, another Danish warlord. Whilst feasting, Ubba's pagan priest, Storri, upon whom Ubba places all confidence, informs him that he foresees a battle to come. As a result, Ubba enthusiastically declares that they will fight the Northumbrians the following day. The Danes are victorious in the battle against the Saxons, and take several hostages, including Uhtred and Brida. Following the battle, Ragnar leaves for Irland to claim his own land. ("Episode 1.1")

Ragnar returns from Irland, having heard of his family's death. Ragnar demands the truth of his father's death. Uhtred, still pained by the event, yields his dagger to Ragnar if he would truly believe he could kill their father. Relief washes over Ragnar as he rushes in to embrace Uhtred and Brida. They vow revenge on Kjartan, but with a carefully calculated plan. Brida does not hesitate to accompany Ragnar on his ship, but Uhtred reveals he has already sworn his oath to Alfred. Ragnar acknowledges the oath and will wait until they can kill Kjartan together. ("Episode 1.3")

Several months later, Ragnar, Guthrum, and Brida alongside the Danes overtake Wareham. Ten hostages from each side are exchanged as a condition during the one month peace term. Uhtred is one of the ten. That night in Wareham, the reunion between Uhtred, Ragnar, and Brida is joyful as they drink together. Uhtred finally feels at home, but his new Saxon family proves to be another obstacle in his Danish affinity. Albeit tempted to join Ragnar, he is still drawn towards the dream of Bebbanburg despite Alfred's incessant attempts to test his allegiance. A messenger arrives from Irland with the news of Ubba's return to England as well as reinforcements from London. All but Uhtred is slain when Ragnar steps in and tells Guthrum that he will have to kill him first if he wants to kill Uhtred. ("Episode 1.4")

Ragnar participates in the attack on Winchester. Back in the castle, Guthrum rummages through Alfred's scrolls. He insists it is magic, but Ragnar and Brida disagree, stating that it is a weak kind of magic. The group contemplates their next move. ("Episode 1.7")

Guthrum tries to get information on Alfred through Æthelwold. He learns that Alfred is a clever man who believes he will win because of his faith in God. Ragnar and Brida scoff at this, but Guthrum contemplates quietly and orders Æthelwold on an assassination mission to kill Alfred. Later, during the battle between Saxons and Danes, Ragnar stabs a Saxon with a sword and is then knocked down by a another Saxon soldier, but is saved by Uhtred, who knocks the saxon down. The battle quickly comes to an end, with Ragnar and Brida being taken hostage, and Guthrum being baptized. ("Episode 1.8")

Winchester, Wessex; Alfred has Brida and Ragnar brought before him. They still have men in Northumbria. Most have settled but they’re still his to call upon. He also has men in East Anglia with Guthrum, who Alfred informs them is now named Æthelstan. In parts of the North, Saxon, Dane and Briton now live side by side. Alfred wants to expand that. In order for the land and trade to flourish, there must be peace. ("Episode 2.1")

Hild rides to Winchester and reports to Odda and King Alfred that Uhtred has been taken. However, Alfred doesn’t believe that Uhtred can be saved. Odda suggests releasing Ragnar and Brida to find Uhtred. ("Episode 2.2")

Ragnar, Hild, and Steapa arrive Eofrwic. They are greeted by Abbot Eadred and Brother Trew. They’ve come on the orders of Alfred to meet with Guthred, who joins them. Ragnar explains that they’ve been tasked with finding Uhtred. Sihtric hands a child an apple to conceal the note given to him by Gisela and asks the child to give it to Hild. Ragnar asks for the name of the slaver. Guthred and Abbot reply that Uhtred's already lost. ("Episode 2.3")

Ragnar, Hild, and Steapa find Jonis. The slave-trader who took Uhtred. Ragnar pays Jonis for information. He reveals that he took Uhtred and Halig to a sea trader named Sverri. Come spring, the first full moon after Sigr Blot, Sverri will return to land and gather with Jonis for business at the beach. In between that time, he could be sailing anywhere. ("Episode 2.3")

Spring has arrived and Sverri has returned. Ragnar, Hild, and Steapa save Uhtred from being executed by Sven. He embraces Ragnar, who then orders for all the slaves to be freed. Afterward, they gather around a fire. Halig has been retrieved and wrapped with his sword. Ragnar reveals that Alfred sent them to rescue Uhtred. Ragnar asks Finan about his relationship with Uhtred, to which he replies they are bound. ("Episode 2.3")

Ragnar and Steapa tell Uhtred that Alfred awaits his return in Wessex. However, Uhtred wants to kill Kjartan. Unfortunately, Ragnar gave his word that he would return Uhtred. Hild then informs Uhtred that Gisela is at a nunnery in Epchester. Afterward, they rescue Gisela froma nunnery and return to Winchester. ("Episode 2.3")

Uhtred finds Ragnar gearing up to leave. He'd ask Uhtred to come with him but he’s already heard that Uhtred has sworn his sword to Alfred. Uhtred promises that he’ll be with Ragnar when the time comes. Alfred is sending him to kill Erik and Sigefrid. If he succeeds, then Guthred will be in Uhtred’s debt and he will demand the use of his men. Ragnar tells Uhtred that in swearing Alfred his sword, he’ll remain a slave. However, Uhtred will do whatever he has to in order to kill Kjartan. ("Episode 2.4")

Ragnar, Uhtred, Hild, Finan, Æthelwold, Steapa, and Beocca head to Eoferwic. But first, they stop in Loidis, where they reunite with Brida. Ragnar is greeted by what's left of his Danish army. Rollo greets him with a hug. Brida explains that their men aren’t willing to fight the brothers for someone like Guthred. However, they’ll need his army to take Dunholm. Brida suggests killing the Northmen, then Guthred, thus allowing them to take Eoferwic. However, all Ragnar wants is his sister and Kjartan’s death. Given that the Northmen have an open camp, Finan suggests they only kill Sigefrid and Erik, rather than the brothers and their men. He suggests killing them while they’re sleeping. ("Episode 2.4")

After gathering an army, they lead an army of men to Dunholm. Ragnar and Brida take a group of men down the path. Rollo fears that the ram won’t work. Clapa replies that while it won’t force open the gates, it will work. Ragnar and Brida to lead their army to the front gate. Clapa, Rollo, and the others form a shield wall and ram the front gates until they gain access. Rollo is struck by a spear and killed soon after entering the fortress. And Ragnar kills the man responsible. They eventually force Kjartan to retreat and Ragnar challenges him to a fight to the death. Ragnar disarms Kjartan and pins his arm to the ground with his sword. He then kicks Kjartan’s sword out of his hand so that he doesn’t go to Valhalla. Ragnar finally kills Kjartan. However, after doing so, he continues to stab his lifeless body repeatedly. Even his own comrades watch in disbelief. Uhtred has to pull Ragnar off of Kjartan’s body. ("Episode 2.4")

Thyra exits with her hounds. She blames Ragnar and Uhtred for not coming to her rescue. She says that the price for her life is theirs. Father Beocca intervenes. He forbids her from killing Uhtred and Ragnar. He extends his hand and offers to help her. Thyra screams and runs back inside. Afterward, Ragnar and Brida settle down in Dunholm. ("Episode 2.4")

{{Scroll-1| Ragnar welcomes Uhtred back to Dunholm. With Wessex undefended, Cnut is considering heading south. Uhtred is not fond of the name Dane-Slayer and tells Cnut to stop referring to him as such. Ragnar remarks that the prospect of Alfred without Uhtred will bring many Danes, Ragnar included. ("Episode 3.2")

Ragnar gets word that 40 or 50 men march towards them on horses. He orders they close the gate and wait for them to approach. Bloodhair and Hæsten lead a group of soldiers to Dunholm, asking Ragnar and Brida for food, shelter, and negotiation. Bloodhair is willing to resolve his matter with Uhtred peacefully. Ragnar orders his men to open the gates and to allow them in. Uhtred is certain that they’ve come to speak of Alfred. Later, Ragnar, Hæsten, Bloodhair, and Cnut join their four armies to make one great army, all led by Ragnar in effort to defeat Alfred and claim Wessex. Despite giving his word, Uhtred intends to leave to rescue Æthelflæd. Ragnar reminds Uhtred that he gave his word and he is going back on it by leaving them. And for this, Ragnar takes back his name from Uhtred. He is no longer Uhtred Ragnarson. Thyra pleads with him to no do this, but Ragnar’s decision is final. ("Episode 3.3")

Bloodhair challenges Uhtred to a fight to the death with Skade as the reward. Uhtred disarms Bloodhair and is moments away from killing him before Ragnar intervenes and calls an end to the battle. Ragnar tells Uhtred to take Skade and leave. Skade remarks that Uhtred has defeated Bloodhair twice and she now belongs to him. Brida launches a spear in Uhtred’s direction and tells him that next time, she won’t miss. ("Episode 3.4")

Æthelwold demands to know why Ragnar and Cnut are allowing Uhtred to leave. He suggests they kill him. Ragnar questions his worth and why he shouldn’t kill Æthelwold. Cnut reminds him that Æthelwold can drip poison into the ears of Saxons. Still, Ragnar grows upset and attacks Æthelwold, striking him several times. Cnut reminds him that it is Uhtred who has caused their division and they need to remember their task ahead. Ragnar states that nothing has changed and they will march when the time comes. ("Episode 3.4")

Ragnar leads Brida, Cnut, Bloodhair, Æthelwold, and the great army to Wessex. Ragnar informs Cnut that he wishes to send a few men ahead tomorrow to scout for Alfred’s army. Himself, Cnut, and Bloodhair will each send a man. After discussing battle plans with Cnut and Bloodhair, Ragnar goes to hump another woman. He promises Brida that this is the last time, as he only wants one more son. ("Episode 3.4")

Æthelwold has been contemplating his next actions after Cnut told him that Ragnar will likely kill him. Æthelwold intends to kill Ragnar first. Æthelwold waits for the army to fall asleep and creeps around camp to Ragnar’s tent. He sneaks inside and kills Ragnar in his sleep, stabbing him as well as the women he lays with, multiple times. Ragnar reaches for his sword so that he may go to Valhalla, but Æthelwold pulls it away, sending him to Niflheim. He then drags the woman out of bed and stakes her with Ragnar’s sword before putting the blade he used to kill them both in her hand, so that it will seem as if she killed Ragnar. ("Episode 3.4")

Uhtred seeks a way to save his brother, eventually learning from Storri that he must kill Ragnar's killer with a blade stained in Ragnar's blood. ("Episode 3.6")

As Ragnar is dead, Uhtred seeks out Thyra for her blood.

Brida eventually learns who Ragnar's killer is from Cnut and sends Jackdaw to warn Uhtred.

In a final confrontation, Uhtred tosses Æthelwold a pouch of Thyra's blood and then impales him in the heart with his sword through the flask. Ragnar's soul then ascends to Valhalla. ("Episode 3.10")

Haesten tells Uthred that Cnut got Ethelwold to kill Ragnar ("Episode 4.3").

Brida kills Cnut, after learning from Uhtred that he is the reason Ragnar died. Prior to being captured by the Welsh, Brida asks Uthred to send her to Valhalla to be with Ragnar, but his hesitation leads to her being captured. ("Episode 4.4").

Brida tells Sigtryggr that she fought with Guthrum and followed Ragnar, in order to get him to believe she is really Brida. After he releases her from the Welsh, Brida tells Sigtryggr that Cnut died because he caused Ragnar's death and blamed another. ("Episode 4.7").

As Brida is dying, her last word is "Ragnar", before sucummbing to her wounds ("Episode 5.7").

After Uhtred finally reclaims Bebbanburg, he remember a lot of people in his life, with Ragnar being one of them. A flashback of the two of them together is shown ("Episode 5.10").

Killed Victims[]

This list shows the victims Ragnar has killed:

The Last Kingdom[]

  • Kjartan
  • Several unnamed Saxon soldiers and civilians
  • Few unnamed Dane soldiers at Dunholm

The Saxon Stories[]

  • Kjartan
  • Several unnamed Saxon soldiers and civilians
  • Few unnamed Dane soldiers at Dunholm
  • More To Be Added

Battle Participation[]

This list shows the battles Ragnar has participated in:

The Last Kingdom[]

The Saxon Stories[]

Memorable Quotes[]

"To be Viking is a way of life. To be Viking is a way to die. Lord, you are never more alive than when you sail a ship onto a new shore."
—Ragnar to Alfred

Appearances[]

The Saxon Stories[]

Books 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
The Saxon Stories                  

The Last Kingdom[]

Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Season 1      
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Seven Kings Must Die

Trivia[]

  • The name Ragnar comes from Old Scandinavian and is deprived from the Germanic name Raganhar. The name is made up of the words ragin, which means "advice", and hari, which means "army".
  • Ragnar was a noble; he was the son of a Jarl in Northumbria, he was to succeeded his father but his family lost the lands to Kjartan, later he becomes the Jarl of Dunholm.
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