19th-century artist’s impression of Ælla of Northumbria’s execution of Ragnar Lodbrok
  • Early Viking raids into the British Isles were coastal attacks against undefended monasteries. These monasteries were filled with gold objects and other valuable goods that were stolen.
  • There are lots of stories told about Ragnar from different sources.
  • According to Viking legend the Anglo-Saxon King of Northumbria, Aelle, successfully defeated a Viking raiding force (raiding was to come and steal resources) in around 860 AD. 
  • The Viking leader, Ragnar Lodbrok, was killed by being thrown into a pit full of venomous snakes.