Ubbe Ragnarsson, also known as Ubba or Ubbe Ragnarrsson, was a prominent Norse warlord and Viking leader of the 9th century. He is primarily remembered as one of the sons of the legendary Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok and his wife Aslaug. Historical accounts portray him as a key figure in the Viking invasions of England, particularly as a commander in the Great Heathen Army that ravaged Anglo-Saxon territories starting in 865 AD. His life blends historical fact with legendary elements from Scandinavian sagas, and he is also a central character in modern depictions, such as the television series Vikings.
Ubbe Ragnarsson was born around 827 AD, likely in Scandinavia, possibly in Uppsala, Sweden, or Denmark. He was the eldest son of Ragnar Lothbrok, a semi-legendary Danish king and raider, and Aslaug Sigurdsdottir, who was said to be a descendant of Sigurd the dragon-slayer from Norse mythology. Ubbe had several brothers, including Bjorn Ironside, Halfdan Ragnarsson, Ivar the Boneless, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Hvitserk. Some sources suggest his mother was an unnamed daughter of Hesbernus, but most align with Aslaug as his parent.
The historicity of Ragnar Lothbrok himself is debated, with scholars viewing him as a composite figure of multiple Viking leaders. Nonetheless, Ubbe's existence is more firmly attested in contemporary Anglo-Saxon chronicles, such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which mentions Ubba as a Viking chieftain active in England during the 870s.
In 865 AD, Ubbe Ragnarsson joined his brothers in leading the Great Heathen Army, a massive Viking force that invaded East Anglia. This campaign was reportedly motivated by revenge for the death of their father Ragnar Lothbrok, who was executed by King Aella of Northumbria. The army, under commanders including Ubbe, Ivar, and Halfdan, captured York in 866 AD and expanded their control over much of northern England, establishing the Danelaw.
Ubbe served as the Marshal of Jorvik (the Viking name for York) under his brother Halfdan, who was proclaimed king. He participated in battles against Wessex and Mercia, including the sack of East Anglia in 869-870 AD. By 871 AD, internal divisions arose; Ubbe favored peace negotiations with the Saxons, leading to a rift with Ivar the Boneless, who sought continued conquest. Ubbe briefly allied with King Alfred the Great of Wessex but later rejoined Viking forces.
In 878 AD, Ubbe attempted to invade Devon from Wales with a fleet of 23 ships. He was defeated and killed at the Battle of Cynwit (or Cynuit) by Saxon forces led by Odda, Ealdorman of Devon. His death marked a turning point, weakening the Viking hold on southwestern England and contributing to Alfred's eventual unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
In medieval Scandinavian sources like the 13th-century Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus and the Ragnarssona þáttr, Ubbe is depicted as a brave warrior but not directly linked to the English invasions in the same detail as in English chronicles. These sagas emphasize his role in family feuds and Norse politics rather than overseas raids.
In popular culture, Ubbe is portrayed in the History Channel's Vikings series (2013-2020), played by actor Jordan Patrick Smith. Here, he is shown as the firstborn son of Ragnar and Aslaug, growing from a child in Kattegat to a leader who explores new lands, marries Torvi, and seeks a legacy beyond raiding. This fictionalized version expands on his historical raids, including journeys to Iceland and beyond, blending legend with adventure.
Ubbe Ragnarsson's life exemplifies the Viking Age's themes of exploration, vengeance, and cultural clash, influencing the Norse settlement in England and the eventual Christianization of Scandinavia.
For this information, the following sources were consulted: