Did Björn Ironside really exist? Everything you need to know about the most famous son of Ragnar Lothbrok
4 min readFeb 7, 2024
The figure of Björn Ironside is closely associated with the Norse sagas and the Vikings series. But to what extent does the portrayal of this legendary figure correspond to historical reality? This article takes a look at the facts and the differences between the legend and the actual historical data.
The legend of Björn Ironside
Björn Ironside is described in the Norse sagas as the son of Ragnar Lothbrok and Aslaug. He was part of a famous Viking family that undertook raids in various regions. Björn was described as king of the House of Munsö over Sweden and carried out raids in England, Normandy, France and Lombardy. The sagas do not mention his wives, but he is said to have had two sons named Eirik and Refil.
Historical data and uncertainties
The historical existence of Björn Ironside is difficult to confirm. Norse sagas are often steeped in myth and legend, and there are only limited written records from this period. Some researchers believe that…