Halfdan of Jorvik: Nordic Heroes, #5

By Christopher Webster

When the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok heard that King Aella of Northumbria had killed their father by throwing him into a snake pit, they vowed revenge. They raised what became known as the Great Heathen Army and set out to conquer England. One of those sons was Halfdan "White Shirt" Ragnarsson, and it is he who founded the kingdom of Jorvik, which became today's county of Yorkshire. This is his story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Blitz
• Release date: May 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224849147

Christopher Webster

In Conisbrough, in the West Riding, I spent most of my childhood, where there's an old castle, presiding over the local neighbourhood. The castle teased me with its mystery and got me interested in history. Later, at University, I took a Literature degree, choosing an option on Jane Austen and Regency Society, and also one on poetry: worlds which I loved to get lost in – and now I show appreciation by trying my hand at narration.

Book preview

MAP OF GREAT HEATHEN ARMY

This map shows the movements of the Great Heathen Army from 865 to 877. Place names are in modern English.

SNAKR PITTYR

It begins with Ragnar

reciting his death song

in a snake pit in Anglia,

thrown there by Aella,

King of Northumbria,

who had beaten him in battle.

Ragnar was outnumbered,

or it would have been different.

Ragnar’s housecarls

were hewn by the enemy,

hacked in pieces,

but he suffered no harm,

for over his mail,

the shirt which Aslaug

had woven for him

shielded his life.

A shirt of white silk,

so smooth and slippery

and woven with spells,

that the sword edge slid from it,

leaving no work

for the wire-wound ringmail,

hard and hand-locked,

that he wore beneath it.

He killed a great many

of Aelle’s men,

but the battle ended

when he was overborne

with a ring of shields

and a shout of victory.

His men were defeated

and he was a prisoner.

He was asked who he was,

but did not answer,

so Aella said,

"Throw him into a snake pit.

That will loosen his tongue,

and then we will know

who he is –

I think he is Ragnar."

So Ragnar was pushed

into a pit of vipers

and stayed there all day,

but the snakes avoided him

thanks to the spells

in Aslaug’s shirt.

And while he sat there

he sang his death song:

"I  fought fifty battles

before this, my last,

where I did much slaughter,

on the snakes of war,

the blood-red blades,

that sought my life,

I never dreamed

that snakes would kill me!

"But I have lived valiantly,

triumphed in battle,

and in the bedroom,

with those three shieldmaidens

who were my wives:

Lagertha was the first.

I met her in battle

and her beauty beguiled me."

"Impressed with her courage,

I courted her from afar.

Then I went to win her,

while my companions waited.

But her home was guarded

by a hound and a bear,

and she set them on me

to test my strength."

"The bear was stronger

than ten stern warriors.

He growled defiance,

but I dared not grapple him.

He clutched with his claws,

cut my flesh,

but I sprang aside,

and speared him through the breast."

"My spear was stuck there

when the hound sprang at me,

his jaws agape,

going for my