Ivar the Boneless
Ivar the Boneless (c. 794 AD (birthplace unknown) - 872 AD Dublin) was the nickname of Ivar Ragnarsson. He was a viking chieftain ( and by reputation also a berserker), who, in 865 AD, with his brothers Halfdene and Hubba, invaded the East Anglian region of England. An accommodation was quickly reached with the East Anglians. The following year, Ivar led his forces north on horseback and easily captured Jorvik from the Northumbrians who were at that time engaged in a civil war.
Ivar is also attributed with the slaying of St Edmund of East Anglia in 869 AD.
Scandinavian sources
Ivar Boneless was according to the saga of Ragnar Lodbrok, the eldest son of Ragnar and Kraka. He had only cartiledge in his legs and so he could not walk, but had to be carried on a shield. However, he was fair, big, strong and one of the wisest men who have ever lived. He was consequently always the advisor of his brothers Björn Ironside, Sigurd Snake-Eye and Hvitserk.
When king Ella of Northumberland had murdered their father, Ivar's brothers tried to avenge their father, but were beaten. Ivar then went to king Ella and said that he sought reconciliation. He only asked for as much land as he could cover with an ox's hide and swore never to wage war against Ella. Then Ivar cut the ox's hide into so fine strands that he could envelope a large fortress (in an older saga it was York and according to a younger saga it was London) which he could take as his own. As he was the most generous of men, he attracted a great many warriors, whom he consequently kept from king Ella when this king was attacked by Ivar's brothers for the second time.
King Ella was captured and when the brothers were to decide how to give king Ella his just punishment, Ivar suggested that they cut "blood red eagle". This meant that Ellas back was cut open and his lungs removed. After justice had been served, Ivar became the king of England.
