Children Askold, Oleg of Novgorod | ||
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Grandparents Sigurd Hring, Alfhild Gandolfsdatter Great-grandparents Gandalf Alfgeirsson, Gauthild Gyrithe Alfsdottir Similar Ubba, Ivar the Boneless, Ragnar Lodbrok, Sigurd Snake‑in‑the‑Eye, Björn Ironside | ||
Hvitserk (Hvitsärk) "White-Shirt" was one of the sons of the legendary 9th-century Norsemen Ragnar Lodbrok and his wife Aslaug. He is attested to by the Tale of Ragnar's Sons (Ragnarssona þáttr). He is not mentioned in any source which also mention Halfdan Ragnarsson, one of the leaders of the Great Heathen Army which invaded the Kingdom of East Anglia in 865. Consequently some scholars have suggested that they are the same individual.
After having avenged his father together with his brothers, he went to Gardarike (Garðaríki). Hvitserk also pillaged with the Rus. He was, however, opposed by such a large foe that he could not win. When asked about how he wished to die, he decided to be burnt alive.
Note
This article contains content from the Owl Edition of Nordisk familjebok, a Swedish encyclopedia published between 1904 and 1926, now in the public domain.
