Halfdan Ragnarsson
Halfdan Ragnarsson (Old Norse: Hálfdan; Old English: Halfdene or Healfdene; Old Irish: Albann; died 877) was a Viking leader and a commander of the Great Heathen Army which invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England, starting in 865.
| Halfdan Ragnarsson | |
|---|---|
| King of Northumbria | |
| Reign | 876–877 |
| Predecessor | Ricsige |
| Successor | Guthfrith |
| King of Dublin | |
| Reign | 875–877 |
| Predecessor | Eystein Olafsson |
| Successor | Bárid |
| Co-ruler of Denmark | |
| Reign | 871–877 |
| Predecessor | Bagsecg |
| Successor | Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye |
| Died | 877 Strangford Lough |
| Father | possibly Ragnar Lodbrok, or whoever was historical basis for the possibly legendary character |
| Mother | possibly Aslaug, or historical basis for a legendary character |
One of six sons of Ragnar Lodbrok named in Norse sagas, Halfdan's brothers or half-brothers included Björn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ubba and Hvitserk. Because Halfdan is not mentioned in any source that mentions Hvitserk, some scholars have suggested that they are the same individual – a possibility reinforced by the fact that Halfdan was a relatively common name among Vikings and Hvitserk "white shirt" may have been an epithet or nickname that distinguished Halfdan from other men by the same name.
Halfdan was the first Viking King of Northumbria and a pretender to the throne of Kingdom of Dublin. It is also possible he was for a time co-ruler of Denmark with his brother Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye, because Frankish sources mention certain Sigfred and Halfdan as rulers in 873. He died at the Battle of Strangford Lough in 877 trying to press his Irish claim.