Son of the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok , Bj örn 1st is also known as Bj örn Côtes-de-Fer , or Björn Já rns íða in Old Norse. Contrary to his mythical parent, Bj ö rn Lodbrok truly existed. In the 9th century, the Viking and Swedish king reigned in Uppsala . But who was he really and what is his story?
Who is Björn Côtes-de-Fer?
According to legend, Björn Côtes-de-Fer is the second son of Viking warrior Ragnar Lodbrock and Aslaug . On the other hand, according to the Geste des Danois, he is the 4th son of Ragnar and Thora Borgarthiort , daughter of the King of Sweden. Anyway, the Viking warrior would have been born around the year 840 . He would have five brothers : Ubbe Ragnarsson , Halfdan Ragnarsson, Sigurd Serpent's Eye , Ivar Ragnarsson and Hvitserk Ragnarsson .
If the identity of his wife is not really known, Bj örn 1st would have had three sons : Eric , Refil and Áslákr. The Saga Hervarar, a Scandinavian source, on the other hand, mentions only two children: “The sons of Björn Ironsides were Eric and Refil. The latter was a warrior-prince and a king of the seas. King Eric ruled the kingdom of Sweden after his father and lived only a short time. »
Björn 1st , Viking explorer above all
Björn C ôte-de-Fer frequently goes on exploration against West Francia and England , and in particular alongside his father, Ragnar. He goes up the Seine, plunders Paris in the year 855 and leaves to build a fort on the island of Osselet in Normandy. A few years later, in the year 858, Björn swore loyalty to the King of the Franks, Charles the Bald.
In the year 859 , with Hasting, another great Viking leader, Bj ö rn Ragnarsson descended along the French coasts and sailed to the Strait of Gibraltar . The two Viking leaders then continue along Morocco , all the way to the Balearic Islands . On the way back from Bj ö rn, the south of French territory did not escape the raids. The towns of Narbonne and Nîmes are completely ransacked . Valencia is then also.
During their raid, Björn and Hasting are said to have been defeated by Muslim forces on the open sea in the year 859 . And it is the Arab chronicler Ibn-Adari, among others, who recounts this Viking raid. In Spanish waters, two of Björn and Hasting's 62 longships are loaded with gold and prisoners. But these two ships are captured by the Moors. Then others afterwards, before the Vikings can finally return to their lands.
Then Bj örn continues to follow his companion Hasting towards Italy , where the city of Luni is taken in the year 860 thanks to ruse. Indeed, the Viking would have made the bishop believe that he had died after converting to Christianity. A deceit set up so that the man of faith agrees to bring the "remains" of Bj ö rn back to the city.
Björn I, successor to Ragnar and King of Sweden
Ragnar , father of Björn, is taken prisoner by King Elle of Northumbria. He loses his life at the bottom of a dungeon full of poisonous snakes before his sons come to avenge him. After the death of the latter, his kingdom is divided between his sons. Björn Côtes-de-Fer becomes master of Uppsala and king of Sweden . If the texts do not say much more, it is assumed that he kept this title until his natural death around the year 876.
Björn Côtes-de-Fer, where does your name come from?
Björn 1er is a fearsome Viking warrior . During their many battles, he and his troops inflict great damage on the opposing troops. According to legends, Björn would have been able to single-handedly turn the tide of a battle . As is more or less the case during a battle between Björn and the Swedish ruler Sörle. According to the texts, Björn does not get hit once on this battlefield this time. Absolutely not a drop of blood is taken from him that day. The legend then says that Björn 1er draws his strength from his ribs which have a resistance equal to iron .
After this battle, Ragnar introduces his son as Björn at the Côtes-de-Fer , a nickname which frightens enemies and which will stick to the skin of the Viking warrior throughout his life.
Björn I , founder of the Munsö dynasty
Munsö is the name of the burial mound of Björn I , the legendary founder of the Munsö dynasty . The dynasty of Swedish kings begins in the 8th century with legendary members, such as Ragnar Lodbrock. It then continues with Björn 1 st , then his son Eric II Björnsson who succeeds him on his death. Then the direct descendants of the latter. In total, nearly ten generations are represented in this dynasty, which ended up being beaten by a civil war in the 10th century.
The famous tumulus which would be the tomb of Bj ö rn is therefore located on the island of Munsö , not far from the town of Birka in Sweden .
Björn Côtes-de-Fer in the series Vikings
The character of Björn Côtes-de-Fer is portrayed by Nathan O'Toole in the first and second seasons, then by Alexander Ludwig once the character has grown up. Ragnar's son first appears in the episode "Head West". He had just turned 12 and received his Earl Haraldson armband. After being part of 60 episodes, Björn Côtes-de-Fer appears for the last time in season 6, the ultimate season, in episode 11.
Björn Côtes-de-Fer - just like his brothers - is ultimately a mixture of legends, myths, references in period texts, and clues hidden here and there. If it is not always certain that all his prowess really existed, the existence of Björn is well attested . One thing is certain: Björn Côtes-de-Fer was a true Viking leader of the 9th century .
