Ragnar’s Downfall: The End of an Era

 

Hej! Welcome to the end of the trilogy of Ragnar's epic quests. It's been such a wonderful journey with you guys, but sadly all adventures must come to an end. For today’s post, I’ll tell you the fall of our beloved hero since you might be wondering, how an unlucky chain of events led to Ragnar's downfall? Take a sear, bring popcorn, and let's crack on!

                                         ...

Ragnar's desire for conquest was such that he set out for Paris around the year 800. He led a large army to Frankia to conquer and sack Paris. Traveling up the Seine River with over 120 ships, these diehard and attractive Vikings laid siege to the city and prepared for the assault.  The Vikings used modified ships with siege towers to breach the walls of Frankia. However, Princess Gisla inspired her soldiers by appearing alongside them on the battlements with the blessed Oriflamme.

  I have read in the script that this battle is ours to win.

                               

As a result, the Franks managed to repel and cause heavy casualties among the Vikings. All subsequent Viking attempts to invade Frankia by conventional means failed so, they decided to make peace. Although I assure you that the words "Viking" and "peace" do not go hand in hand. Despite the Vikings reveiving a payment to leave Frankia, they camped on the outskirts of the city. Allegedly, King Ragnar is on the verge of death and wants to have a Christian burial. This is very suspicious, to say the least, but you know what they say fool me once...

Oops, gotcha guys.

Anyways, being the good Christians that they are, the Franks accept Ragnar's request and move his coffin to the great cathedral inside Paris for a Christian burial. It turns out that Ragnar isn't dead, but alive and has infiltrated Paris in true Trojan horse style. Ragnar jumps out of his coffin during the ceremony and threatens Emperor Charles at knifepoint (so classy, Ragnar).

  Omg such a nap guys, I almost miss my own burial.

While Ragnar takes the Emperor and Gisla as hostages, the Vikings sacked all Frankia. The Franks will never again allow the Vikings to violate their beloved city. Therefore, the Emperor marries his daughter to Rollo, although at first, it seems that the relationship will not last, in the end, the irresistible Rollo steals Gisla's heart.

 You know... I'm totally into Vikings Rollo 😉

During the second siege of Paris, Rollo joins the fight to confront Ragnar. All the relevant characters of the series end up wounded: Lagertha, Floki, Hafdan… for Odin’s sake, even Ragnar gets his ass kicked by Rollo. What a defeat for the main characters… The Franks cheer in joy as they see the Vikings leave in disarray.

       But the TV series is called Vikings... How did we lose?

Ragnar returns home after ten years wounded in his pride, and to alleviate the pain, he begins to consume drugs. C’mon Ragnar, think of the children!

Well, at least he did think of a child, specifically his son Ivar. Both will embark on a journey to King Ecbert's village, where Ragnar will prove that Ivar is worthy in his eyes. 

     Look how much fun and love the boys have by showing their father and son relationship.

But the fun is soon over, Aethelwulf locks Ragnar in a cage. But don't worry because his friend King Ecbert frees him; they drunkenly argue about Valhalla and Heaven and how one is more ridiculous than the other. While drunk, they discuss their mutual love of Athelstan, and Ragnar meets Athelstan's son.

  Tomorrow's hangover will be deadly.

Ragnar tells Ecbert that he must kill him, but because of their friendship, Ecbert cannot do it. So, Ragnar changes the plan and suggests Ecbert to hand him over to King Ælle. Ragnar tells Ivar the plan and expresses that he and his brothers must seek revenge on Ecbert. Wow Ragnar, that isn’t what friends do, you know?

                                           

King Ælle beats and tortures Ragnar and cuts a cross into his head. Buy my man Ragnar is really tough, he doesn’t utter a word when being tortured. When it is finally time for him to die, he roars a poem at the top of his lungs about Odin and Valhalla. Ragnar’s demise end when he is thrown into a pit of venomous snakes.

                                                       If you want to see Ragnar's death, click on the video.

Since Ragnar is both a Viking and a Christian, did he ascend to Valhalla or Heaven? Leave a comment down below with your opinion. We look forward to seeing your comments. Until then, see you in Midgard.

Written by Marta López García