Did Lagertha from “Vikings”really exist? All about the famous shieldmaiden

Patrick Meier
4 min readApr 29, 2024

The fascination with strong female characters is omnipresent in pop culture, and the series “Vikings” does not disappoint fans. One such character that has captivated audiences is Lagertha, the formidable Shieldmaiden. But the question remains: Did a historical figure named Lagertha really exist?

The portrayal of the Shieldmaiden in “Vikings”

The portrayal of Lagertha in the “Vikings” series has undoubtedly created a modern image of this formidable figure. Her strong presence and character are emphasized through the television series in a way that captivates the audience. But how does this portrayal compare to the historical sources?
The series gives the warrior Lagertha a far more significant role in the story of Ragnar Lothbrok. Not only is she portrayed as a mighty warrior, but also as the mother of Björn Eisenseite. This addition serves to create an element of drama between the sons of Ragnar. Although these aspects do not correspond to the actual historical facts, the series seems to capture the spirit of the character that Saxo was trying to portray.
Lagertha…

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