Sigurd (Snake-in-the-Eye) Ragnarsson Timeline d. 891

A son, Sigurd was born to the legendary Viking, Ragnar Lothbrok, and Aslaug Sigurdsdottir. He was called Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye because of an unusual snake-like marking in one eye.

Sigurd went with his father, Ragnar on a journey through Russia.

Sigurd’s father, Ragnar Lothbrok was shipwrecked off the Northumbrian coast. King Aelle immediately marched, defeated the Viking army and took Ragnar prisoner.

Sigurd’s father was killed by King Aelle of Northumbria. Legend states that he was thrown into a pit of vipers. Legend states that when Sigurd heard the news he cut himself with a knife that he was holding.

On his father’s death, Sigurd inherited Zealand, Scania, Halland, Viken and the Danish islands.

Sigurd joined his brothers Ivar, Halfdan and Ubba in leading the huge Viking force known by the Saxons as The Great Heathen Army. His brother Ivar the Boneless was the overall leader. They landed in East Anglia and their purpose was to avange the death of their father, Ragnar Lothbrok.

The Great Heathen army marched north and invaded Northumbria.

The Great Heathen Army took Jorvik (York) and used it as a base to make raids into Mercia.

Osberht and Aelle, rivals for the Northumbrian throne made an alliance and marched to expel the Vikings from York. They were badly defeated. Osberht was killed during the battle. Aelle was executed, allegedly by being subjected to the blood eagle as revenge for his killing Ragnar Lothbork.

Ubba’s brother, Ivar installed Egbert as puppet king of Northumbria.

Sigurd married King Aelle’s daughter Blaeja.

It is unclear whether Sigurd returned to Denmark or whether he remained in Northumbria and settled there with his family. Sigurd is not mentioned as taking part in any of the major battles of the Great Heathen Army after 867.

Sigurd succeeded his brother, Halfdan, as King of Denmark.

Battle of Leuven
Sigurd was killed in this battle against Emperor Amulf.