Bjorn Ironside: Viking King of Sweden and Mediterranean Raider

Bjorn Ironside, one of Ragnar Lothbrok's most famous sons, is often overshadowed by Ivar the Boneless in popular imagination. But historical and legendary sources paint a fascinating picture of a Viking leader who not only ravaged the coasts of West Francia and England but also led a daring expedition into the Mediterranean, sacking cities in Spain, North Africa, and Italy. This episode delves into Bjorn's career: his role in the Great Heathen Army, his legendary raid to the Mediterranean around 859–861 AD, and his eventual rule over Sweden. We explore the accounts from the Annals of St. Bertin, the Chronicon of Regino of Prüm, and the later sagas, separating fact from legend. Was Bjorn truly the king of Sweden? Did he convert to Christianity? What is the evidence for his famous raid on Luna, which he tricked by feigning conversion? Join us as we examine the life of a Viking who was as much a wanderer as a conqueror.

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