Ivarr the Boneless

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Ivarr the Boneless (died c. 873), also known as Ivarr Ragnarsson, was a Viking leader who raided Anglo-Saxon England during the 9th century. The son of the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok, he was also the brother of Halfdan, Sigurd, Björn, and Ubba. Making a name for himself as the "King Killer", Ivarr cut down nearly half a dozen monarchs during his time in the British Isles.

After the Siege of Caustow Castle and his brutal execution of Rhodri the Great, Ivarr revealed to Eivor that he had murdered Ceolbert, causing the talented raider to fly into a murderous rage. During the fight, he was mortally wounded by Eivor.

Biography

Early Life

According to Icelandic Sagas, Ivarr was born to the legendary Danish Viking Raider, Ragnar Lodbrok and his third wife, Aslaug. In 845, Ragnar was brutally murdered by Ælla of Northumbria during a failed raid. Ivarr and his brothers, established Vikings by this time, vowed to avenge their father's death and invade England.

Great Heathen Army

The sons of Ragnar, including Ivarr, led the Great Heathen Army's invasion of England in 865. Around this time, Ivarr successfully avenged his father's death and killed Ælla in combat. Following his great victory, Ivarr also executed two additional lesser kings of the Heptarchy, Edmund (of East Anglia) and Osberht (of Northumbria), earning him the reputation of "King Killer".

In 873, Ivarr and Ubba, aided by Eivor, orchestrated Ceolwulf II's rise to power in Mercia, taking part in the battle that removed Burgred of Mercia from the throne. After Ceowulf's coronation, Ivarr took Ceobert, the new king's eldest son, under his wing.

As Ceobert's military advisor, Ivarr traveled with the young prince to Shropshire in order to broker a peace treaty with Rhodri the Great, a man Ivarr had quarreled with many years prior. Rather than aid Ceobert in his efforts to secure a lasting peace, Ivarr killed Rhodri's brother and deliberately escalated the conflict. He eventually killed Ceobert and pinned it on the Britons in order to trick the Mercians into attacking Rhodri's stronghold. Ivarr tortured and murdered Rhodri after capturing the fortress.

Death

Desiring a grand death after having accomplished all of his life goals, Ivarr challenged Eivor to a duel to the death. Though the Norse Viking was initially reluctant to cut down her former associate, Ivarr revealed that he had killed Ceobert. Enraged by his depravity, Eivor fought and defeated Ivarr in ritual combat, leaving him mortally wounded. He bled out shortly thereafter, pleased by the fact that he would be going to Valhalla.

Victims

During his years raiding in the British Isles, Ivarr the Boneless gained the nickname "King Killer" after personally murdering a number of Britonic and Anglo-Saxon feudal lords. By the time of his death in 873, Ivarr had killed at least half a dozen noblemen, in addition to scores of soldiers.

Royal victims

• King Ælla of Northumbria (killed in 867)
• King Osberht of Northumbria (killed in 867)
• King Edmund of East Anglia (killed in 869)
• King Rhodri "the Great" of Gwynedd (killed in 873)

Other notable victims

• Ceolbert, Ealdorman of Shropshire, Prince of East Anglia (killed in 873)
• Gwriad ap Merfyn, brother of Rhodri (killed in 873)
• Ynyr ap Cadfarch, Brittonic captain (killed in 873)

Personality

Ivarr, crass, sadistic, and manipulative, genuinely enjoyed killing and hurting others. Unlike his brothers, he had no real desire to establish England as his home, viewing it as little more than his personal killing ground. He was obsessed with glory, hoping to eclipse all others in terms of kills and battlefield victories, and cared more about going to Valhalla than anything else.

Trivia

• There are many theories as to how Ivarr got his moniker "the Boneless". Several of the sagas describe him as lacking legs or bones at all, having to be carried around on a shield by his men, while The Tale of Ragnar's Sons hints that he was impotent.
• Once more deviating from the game, the Sagas portray Ivarr as being a reserved and calculating leader.
• In the game, Halfdan is stated to be older than Ivarr. In the Sagas, Ivarr is older.

Behind the scenes

In mid-October 2020, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla's narrative director Darby McDevitt revealed on Twitter that the voice of Ivarr was provided by Eric Johnson. Ivarr also makes an appearance in the Spotify podcast Echoes of Valhalla, where he is voiced by Alex "Arekkz" Noon.

Gallery

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  Concept art
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  Concept art
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  Promotional art

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
• Echoes of Valhalla (voice only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla manhua (mentioned only)