Halfdan Ragnarsson: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early years=== | ===Early years=== | ||
Halfdan was born as the eldest son of Ragnar Lothbroke and his first wife Lagertha.<ref name="Lagertha's Axe">[[Lagertha's Axe]]</ref> Like his half-brothers, Halfdan followed in his father's footsteps and became seafarers and raiders himself. In 865, Raganar was murdered by [[ealdorman]] [[Ælla of Northumbria|Ælla]] in [[England]] who threw him into a [[Ælla's snake pit|snake pit]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Ragnar Lothbrok]]</ref> Seeking revenge for their father's death, Halfdan and his brothers led a [[Sons of Ragnar|vast army]] into England,<ref name="DB">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Database: Halfdan]]</ref> joining forces with the [[Great Summer Army]] led by Guthrum ''[[jarl]]''. This coaliton came to be dubbed as the Great Heathen Army.<ref name="ACV">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''</ref> | Halfdan was born as the eldest son of Ragnar Lothbroke and his first wife Lagertha.<ref name="Lagertha's Axe">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Lagertha's Axe]]</ref> Like his half-brothers, Halfdan followed in his father's footsteps and became seafarers and raiders himself. In 865, Raganar was murdered by [[ealdorman]] [[Ælla of Northumbria|Ælla]] in [[England]] who threw him into a [[Ælla's snake pit|snake pit]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Ragnar Lothbrok]]</ref> Seeking revenge for their father's death, Halfdan and his brothers led a [[Sons of Ragnar|vast army]] into England,<ref name="DB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Halfdan]]</ref> joining forces with the [[Great Summer Army]] led by Guthrum ''[[jarl]]''. This coaliton came to be dubbed as the Great Heathen Army.<ref name="ACV">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref> | ||
After landing in [[East Anglia]] in the summer of 865, Halfdan and his brothers moved northwards and invaded [[Northumbria]], which was embroiled in a civil war for kingship between Ælla and [[Osberht of Northumbria|Osberht]].<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Halfdan Ragnarsson}}</ref> In 866, Ælla was crowned king of Northumbria in [[York]], which was thereafter [[Viking Capture of York|captured]] by Ivarr.<ref name="Battle of York">''[[Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers]]'' – [[Battle of York (manhua)|Battle of York]]</ref>. Following Ivarr's departure to the south to join Ubba, Halfdan took control of the armies in the north, and appointed [[Ecgberht I of Northumbria|Ecgberht]] as the puppet-king of Northumbria.<ref name="Wiki" /> After reigning for a few years until 872, Ecgberht was disposed and Halfdan appointed [[Ricsige of Northumbria|Ricsige]] as king, joined by the [[Jorvik]] council consisting of Halfdan's war chief [[Faravid]], and the councilmen [[Audun]] and [[Hjorr Halfsson]].<ref name="ACV"/> | After landing in [[East Anglia]] in the summer of 865, Halfdan and his brothers moved northwards and invaded [[Northumbria]], which was embroiled in a civil war for kingship between Ælla and [[Osberht of Northumbria|Osberht]].<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Halfdan Ragnarsson}}</ref> In 866, Ælla was crowned king of Northumbria in [[York]], which was thereafter [[Viking Capture of York|captured]] by Ivarr.<ref name="Battle of York">''[[Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers]]'' – [[Battle of York (manhua)|Battle of York]]</ref>. Following Ivarr's departure to the south to join Ubba, Halfdan took control of the armies in the north, and appointed [[Ecgberht I of Northumbria|Ecgberht]] as the puppet-king of Northumbria.<ref name="Wiki" /> After reigning for a few years until 872, Ecgberht was disposed and Halfdan appointed [[Ricsige of Northumbria|Ricsige]] as king, joined by the [[Jorvik]] council consisting of Halfdan's war chief [[Faravid]], and the councilmen [[Audun]] and [[Hjorr Halfsson]].<ref name="ACV"/> | ||
===War with the Picts=== | ===War with the Picts=== | ||
With Ricsiege ruling York in his stead, Halfdan focused on his wars in the north, and by 874, his army was embroiled in war against the [[Picts|Pictish]] tribes that inhabited the lands north of Hadrian's Wall. | With Ricsiege ruling York in his stead, Halfdan focused on his wars in the north, and by 874, his army was embroiled in war against the [[Picts|Pictish]] tribes that inhabited the lands north of Hadrian's Wall. By 876, having learned the reputation of the famed [[shieldmaiden]] [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] through his brothers, Halfdan sent a letter to Eivor's settlement of [[Ravensthorpe]] in [[Ledecestrescire]], requesting for her aid and counsel in [[Yorkshire|Eurvicscire]].<ref name="War in the North">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[War in the North]]</ref> | ||
[[File:ACV War in the North 9.png|250px|right|thumb|Halfdan engaging in battle against the Picts]] | [[File:ACV War in the North 9.png|250px|right|thumb|Halfdan engaging in battle against the Picts]] | ||
Halfdan soon met Eivor amidst a snowy skirmish against the Picts. After defeating the enemies, Eivor introduced herself to Halfdan, who cited her achievements involving Ivarr and Ubba in [[Mercia]] and [[Finnr]] in East Anglia. Halfdan requested to talk to Eivor in private, away from the ears of his right-hand man Faravid, who also partook in the battle. Halfdan later returned to his castle in [[Doncaster|Donecastre]] castle, where he engaged in an | Halfdan soon met Eivor amidst a snowy skirmish against the Picts. After defeating the enemies, Eivor introduced herself to Halfdan, who cited her achievements involving Ivarr and Ubba in [[Mercia]] and [[Finnr]] in East Anglia. Halfdan requested to talk to Eivor in private, away from the ears of his right-hand man Faravid, who also partook in the battle. Halfdan later returned to his castle in [[Doncaster|Donecastre]] castle, where he engaged in an argument against Ricsige, who had wanted to end the war quickly rather than strategically. Halfdan dismissed Ricsige and spoke with Eivor and Faravid, who had arrived. In a short exchange, Faravid expressed signs of jealousy towards Halfdan's actions during the previous battle. He then gifted his jarl a goblet, to which Halfdan asked for Eivor's opinion.<ref name="War in the North" /> | ||
[[File:ACV Road to Hamartia 1.png|250px|left|thumb|Halfdan consuming Moira's medicine]] | [[File:ACV Road to Hamartia 1.png|250px|left|thumb|Halfdan consuming Moira's medicine]] | ||
Faravid then left to his forward camp and Halfdan now had the chance to speak in private with Eivor, and told her of his suspicions of Faravid, whom he believed to be plotting treason. Halfdan spoke of rumors in the air about Faravid's treachery, and suspected Faravid to have attempted to poison him. He asked Eivor to investigate his war chief behind his back. Eivor rode off to find Faravid as Halfdan waited at his castle with his caretaker [[Moira]].<ref name="War in the North"/> | Faravid then left to his forward camp and Halfdan now had the chance to speak in private with Eivor, and told her of his suspicions of Faravid, whom he believed to be plotting treason. Halfdan spoke of rumors in the air about Faravid's treachery, and suspected Faravid to have attempted to poison him. He asked Eivor to investigate his war chief behind his back. Eivor rode off to find Faravid as Halfdan waited at his castle with his caretaker [[Moira]].<ref name="War in the North"/> | ||
Eivor soon returned with another goblet from Faravid, which Halfdan disposed immediately. Eivor suggested Halfdan to be careful of everyone, even Moira, to which Halfdan ordered the Viking to investigate. Halfdan left to travel to the [[Temple of Brigantia]] with his dog [[Beonton]] in response to signs of a traitor from one of his scouts, Olav.<ref name="Road to Hamartia">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Road to Hamartia]]</ref> | Eivor soon returned with another goblet from Faravid, which Halfdan disposed immediately. Eivor suggested Halfdan to be careful of everyone, even Moira, to which Halfdan ordered the Viking to investigate. Halfdan left to travel to the [[Temple of Brigantia]] with his dog [[Beonton]] in response to signs of a traitor from one of his scouts, Olav.<ref name="Road to Hamartia">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Road to Hamartia]]</ref> | ||
At the temple, Halfdan looked for his scout as he awaited Eivor's return, though there was no sign of him. Eivor soon arrived and found Olav dead, killed by the traitors. Beonton soon led the two to the [[Petuaria Ruins]], which they explored and found a treasure room filled with Halfdan's stolen war spoils. Upon exiting, Halfdan and his ally were confronted by [[Ulf]], one of Faravid's men. As punishment for his treachery, Ulf was executed. Halfdan soon dismissed Eivor, asking her to follow Faravid to the Wolds.<ref name="Road to Hamartia"/> | At the temple, Halfdan looked for his scout as he awaited Eivor's return, though there was no sign of him. Eivor soon arrived and found Olav dead, killed by the traitors. Beonton soon led the two to the [[Petuaria Ruins]], which they explored and found a treasure room filled with Halfdan's stolen war spoils. Upon exiting, Halfdan and his ally were confronted by [[Ulf]], one of Faravid's men. As punishment for his treachery, Ulf was executed. Halfdan soon dismissed Eivor, asking her to follow Faravid to the Wolds.<ref name="Road to Hamartia"/> | ||
[[File:ACV Honor's Hubris 19.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Halfdan and Eivor overlooking Ricsige's corpse]] | [[File:ACV Honor's Hubris 19.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Halfdan and Eivor overlooking Ricsige's corpse]] | ||
Upon further investigation, Eivor and Faravid soon found Ricsige to be a traitor, hoarding his riches and allying himself with the Picts. The two led an assault on [[Magnis Fortress]], where Ricsige had fled to. Halfdan knew about this assault and soon joined them, charging his army into battle and seeing to the end of Ricsige's reign.<ref name="Honor's Hubris">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Honor's Hubris]]</ref> | Upon further investigation, Eivor and Faravid soon found Ricsige to be a traitor, hoarding his riches and allying himself with the Picts. The two led an assault on [[Magnis Fortress]], where Ricsige had fled to. Halfdan knew about this assault and soon joined them, charging his army into battle and seeing to the end of Ricsige's reign.<ref name="Honor's Hubris">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Honor's Hubris]]</ref> | ||
[[File:ACV Of Blood and Bonds 11.png|thumb|250px|left|Halfdan standing above a defeated Faravid]] | [[File:ACV Of Blood and Bonds 11.png|thumb|250px|left|Halfdan standing above a defeated Faravid]] | ||
Halfdan, Eivor, and Faravid traveled back to Jorvik, where Halfdan was to be coronated as new king of Jorvik in the [[Royal Hall]]. During the coronation, Halfdan praised Eivor for her aid, though things went awry when the new king began to have a coughing fit. Halfdan discovered his drinking goblet to be made of [[Lead|lead]], and soon put two and two together, accusing Faravid of poisoning him. Eivor soon stood up to Halfdan and engaged the traitor in combat. Halfdan spectated and commentated as Faravid was brought to his knees, to meet his end at the face of Halfdan's hammer Orthstirr. After the coronation, Halfdan and Eivor secured an alliance.<ref name="Of Blood and Bonds">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Of Blood and Bonds]]</ref> | Halfdan, Eivor, and Faravid traveled back to Jorvik, where Halfdan was to be coronated as new king of Jorvik in the [[Royal Hall]]. During the coronation, Halfdan praised Eivor for her aid, though things went awry when the new king began to have a coughing fit. Halfdan discovered his drinking goblet to be made of [[Lead|lead]], and soon put two and two together, accusing Faravid of poisoning him. Eivor soon stood up to Halfdan and engaged the traitor in combat. Halfdan spectated and commentated as Faravid was brought to his knees, to meet his end at the face of Halfdan's hammer Orthstirr. After the coronation, Halfdan and Eivor secured an alliance.<ref name="Of Blood and Bonds">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Of Blood and Bonds]]</ref> | ||
===Death=== | |||
Although newly crowned as the King of Jorvik, Halfdan's ambitions stretched to Dublin which he intended to claim for himself. Despite being warned against such an action as Dublin was ruled by the Viking king [[Bárid mac Ímair]], Halfdan dismissed giving up. Wanting to conquer Dublin and force its king to kneel at his feet, Halfdan aspirations were unfortunately cut short as he was slain by King Bárid in 877 during the {{Wiki|Battle of Strangford Lough}}.<ref>''[[Echoes of History|Echoes of History: Vikings]]'' – Episode 4: Birth of an Empire</ref> | |||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||
In 886, [[Toka Sinricsdottir]] arrived in [[Ravensthorpe]] to convince Eivor to help aid in the [[Siege of Paris (885–886)|siege]] of [[Paris]]. Unaware that Halfdan had died | In 886, [[Toka Sinricsdottir]] arrived in [[Ravensthorpe]] to convince Eivor to help aid in the [[Siege of Paris (885–886)|siege]] of [[Paris]]. Unaware that Halfdan had died nearly a decade earlier, Toka claimed that she sought his help, immediately arousing both Eivor and [[Randvi]]'s suspicions regarding the true purpose for her visit.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Strangers Bearing Gifts]]</ref> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
Revision as of 13:29, 15 January 2024
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Halfdan Ragnarsson (died 877) was a Viking leader who served as one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army that invaded Anglo-Saxon England during the late 9th century. He was the eldest son of Ragnar Lothbrok and his first wife Lagertha, and the half-brother of Ivarr, Sigurd, Bjorn, and Ubba.
Arguably the greatest son of Ragnar's, Halfdan's conquests in northern England gained him fame as the Conqueror of the North. The army he commanded was noted to have sacked Lunden, conquered York, and extorted every petty king from Exeter to Hadrian's Wall.
Halfdan was also the reincarnation of the Isu Thor, who was revered as the Norse warrior god of lightning and thunder.
Biography
Early years
Halfdan was born as the eldest son of Ragnar Lothbroke and his first wife Lagertha.[1] Like his half-brothers, Halfdan followed in his father's footsteps and became seafarers and raiders himself. In 865, Raganar was murdered by ealdorman Ælla in England who threw him into a snake pit.[2] Seeking revenge for their father's death, Halfdan and his brothers led a vast army into England,[3] joining forces with the Great Summer Army led by Guthrum jarl. This coaliton came to be dubbed as the Great Heathen Army.[4]
After landing in East Anglia in the summer of 865, Halfdan and his brothers moved northwards and invaded Northumbria, which was embroiled in a civil war for kingship between Ælla and Osberht.[5] In 866, Ælla was crowned king of Northumbria in York, which was thereafter captured by Ivarr.[6]. Following Ivarr's departure to the south to join Ubba, Halfdan took control of the armies in the north, and appointed Ecgberht as the puppet-king of Northumbria.[5] After reigning for a few years until 872, Ecgberht was disposed and Halfdan appointed Ricsige as king, joined by the Jorvik council consisting of Halfdan's war chief Faravid, and the councilmen Audun and Hjorr Halfsson.[4]
War with the Picts
With Ricsiege ruling York in his stead, Halfdan focused on his wars in the north, and by 874, his army was embroiled in war against the Pictish tribes that inhabited the lands north of Hadrian's Wall. By 876, having learned the reputation of the famed shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir through his brothers, Halfdan sent a letter to Eivor's settlement of Ravensthorpe in Ledecestrescire, requesting for her aid and counsel in Eurvicscire.[7]

Halfdan soon met Eivor amidst a snowy skirmish against the Picts. After defeating the enemies, Eivor introduced herself to Halfdan, who cited her achievements involving Ivarr and Ubba in Mercia and Finnr in East Anglia. Halfdan requested to talk to Eivor in private, away from the ears of his right-hand man Faravid, who also partook in the battle. Halfdan later returned to his castle in Donecastre castle, where he engaged in an argument against Ricsige, who had wanted to end the war quickly rather than strategically. Halfdan dismissed Ricsige and spoke with Eivor and Faravid, who had arrived. In a short exchange, Faravid expressed signs of jealousy towards Halfdan's actions during the previous battle. He then gifted his jarl a goblet, to which Halfdan asked for Eivor's opinion.[7]

Faravid then left to his forward camp and Halfdan now had the chance to speak in private with Eivor, and told her of his suspicions of Faravid, whom he believed to be plotting treason. Halfdan spoke of rumors in the air about Faravid's treachery, and suspected Faravid to have attempted to poison him. He asked Eivor to investigate his war chief behind his back. Eivor rode off to find Faravid as Halfdan waited at his castle with his caretaker Moira.[7]
Eivor soon returned with another goblet from Faravid, which Halfdan disposed immediately. Eivor suggested Halfdan to be careful of everyone, even Moira, to which Halfdan ordered the Viking to investigate. Halfdan left to travel to the Temple of Brigantia with his dog Beonton in response to signs of a traitor from one of his scouts, Olav.[8]
At the temple, Halfdan looked for his scout as he awaited Eivor's return, though there was no sign of him. Eivor soon arrived and found Olav dead, killed by the traitors. Beonton soon led the two to the Petuaria Ruins, which they explored and found a treasure room filled with Halfdan's stolen war spoils. Upon exiting, Halfdan and his ally were confronted by Ulf, one of Faravid's men. As punishment for his treachery, Ulf was executed. Halfdan soon dismissed Eivor, asking her to follow Faravid to the Wolds.[8]

Upon further investigation, Eivor and Faravid soon found Ricsige to be a traitor, hoarding his riches and allying himself with the Picts. The two led an assault on Magnis Fortress, where Ricsige had fled to. Halfdan knew about this assault and soon joined them, charging his army into battle and seeing to the end of Ricsige's reign.[9]

Halfdan, Eivor, and Faravid traveled back to Jorvik, where Halfdan was to be coronated as new king of Jorvik in the Royal Hall. During the coronation, Halfdan praised Eivor for her aid, though things went awry when the new king began to have a coughing fit. Halfdan discovered his drinking goblet to be made of lead, and soon put two and two together, accusing Faravid of poisoning him. Eivor soon stood up to Halfdan and engaged the traitor in combat. Halfdan spectated and commentated as Faravid was brought to his knees, to meet his end at the face of Halfdan's hammer Orthstirr. After the coronation, Halfdan and Eivor secured an alliance.[10]
Death
Although newly crowned as the King of Jorvik, Halfdan's ambitions stretched to Dublin which he intended to claim for himself. Despite being warned against such an action as Dublin was ruled by the Viking king Bárid mac Ímair, Halfdan dismissed giving up. Wanting to conquer Dublin and force its king to kneel at his feet, Halfdan aspirations were unfortunately cut short as he was slain by King Bárid in 877 during the Battle of Strangford Lough.[11]
Legacy
In 886, Toka Sinricsdottir arrived in Ravensthorpe to convince Eivor to help aid in the siege of Paris. Unaware that Halfdan had died nearly a decade earlier, Toka claimed that she sought his help, immediately arousing both Eivor and Randvi's suspicions regarding the true purpose for her visit.[12]
Behind the scenes
Halfdan is a historical character first introduced in the 2020 Echoes of History podcast episodes on Vikings, though his voice actor is uncredited. He later featured in the 2020 video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where he was voiced by Norwegian actor Jeppe Beck Laursen, who also provided the voice of Thor.
Valhalla describes Halfdan as Ragnar's eldest son by his first wife Lagertha, however, the sagas say his mother is instead Ragnar's third wife Aslaug, with Ivarr and Bjorn being his older siblings from the same mother.
Despite historically dying in 877 fighting King Bárid mac Ímair of Dublin at the Battle of Strangford Lough in Ireland, no mention or reference of this is made in Valhalla's 2021 downloadable expansion Wrath of the Druids, set in 879.
Appearances
- Echoes of History (voice only)
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
- The Siege of Paris (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers
- The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)
References
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Lagertha's Axe
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Database: Ragnar Lothbrok
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Database: Halfdan
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
- ↑ 5.0 5.1
Halfdan Ragnarsson on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers – Battle of York
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – War in the North
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Road to Hamartia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Honor's Hubris
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Of Blood and Bonds
- ↑ Echoes of History: Vikings – Episode 4: Birth of an Empire
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Siege of Paris – Strangers Bearing Gifts
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