Blood eagle

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The blood eagle was a ritual execution purportedly performed by the Norse as offers to Odin.

Description

According to translations of skaldic verses, victims would be laid prone before having their ribs severed from their spine, followed by the executioner(s) pulling their lungs through the wounds to display a macabre set of "wings".

History

In the late 9th century, the Vikings Ivarr the Boneless and Ubba Ragnarsson were said to have used this torture method to kill King Ælla of Northumbria in retaliation for his execution of their father, Ragnar Lothbrok. Sometime after 874, Ivarr condemned the Brittonic king Rhodri ap Merfyn to the same fate and forced the shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan to watch, much to her displeasure at his sadism.

Following the death of Eivor's cousin Bárid mac Ímair, king of Dublin, in a surprise attack by Abbot Eogan mac Cartaigh's army, Bárid's son Sichfrith threatened to blood-eagle the traitorous clergyman. However, Eivor dissuaded him from acting rashly and instead advised that he back Flann Sinna as High King of Ireland.

Behind the scenes

The historical authenticity of the practice is currently debated among scholars, with some believing that the idea was created by later Christian historians who misinterpreted certain metaphorical verses in older Norse sagas.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  • Wrath of the Druids (mentioned only)