Hvitserk Ragnarsson

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Hvitserk Ragnarsson (old Icelandic Hvítserkr , Latin Withsercus , German about white-clad or white shirt ) is a legendary Varangian prince of Hellespont (around 835 – around 840). Hvitserk is mentioned in two Old Norse sagas and a Danish chronicle. Hvitserk was possibly a son of the also legendary Ragnar Lodbrok , a Danish king with no historical existence. He was possibly identical to Halfdan .

According to the Gesta Danorum of Saxo Grammaticus , his father Ragnar conquered Hellespont, killed the local ruler Dian and installed Hvitserk as his successor. After five years, Daxo, a son of Dian, recaptured Hellespont. Hvitserk was captured, his daughter was offered to him as a wife and half of the principality. Hvitserk refused. He was burned alive with his companions at his own request.

According to the saga of Ragnar's sons , Hvitserk was one of four sons of Ragnar Lodbrok and his wife Aslaug . He conquered various areas of Scandinavia with the brothers. After the death of his father he received Reidagotland ( Jutland ) and Wendland (Slavic area). He was captured in a war with the Hunas . Their prince had him burned in a fire from the heads of his fallen warriors. Hvitserk had a son, Askold.

The Sturlaugs saga starfsama mentions a Hvitserk who tried to defend with Prince Ingvar Ladoga against the troops of the Varangian Sturlaug. After Ingvar's death, his warriors fled. Hvitserk is no longer mentioned. It is not clear whether this was identical to Hvitserk Ragnarsson.

Movie

In the Irish-Canadian television series Vikings (since 2013), Hvitserk has been a main character since season 4 and has since been played by the Danish actor Marco Ilsø .

swell

literature

  • Olof von Dalin : History of the Kingdom of Sweden , translated by Johann Carl Dähnert. Volume 1, Book 2, Rostock, Greifswald, 1763.

Remarks

  1. ↑ Both were never mentioned together in one text.
  2. ↑ General term for Slavic (Wendish) area south of the Baltic Sea, Hellespont would be possible. Olof von Dalin suspected that Wendland meant Novgorod here and that the campaign was his attack on Constantinople in 860. Unlikely.
  3. ↑ Perhaps identical with Askold , Varangian prince of Kiev?
personal data
SURNAME Hvitserk Ragnarsson
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Hvítserkr; Withsercus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Viking leader and Prince of Hellespont
DATE OF BIRTH 8th century or 9th century
DATE OF DEATH around 840