Ragnar

"We are Brothers. We will always be equal."

- Ragnar to his Brother Rollo about sailing West Ragnar is an ambitious man and a great warrior who thirsts for adventure. He was born and raised in Kattegat, Norway with is older brother Rollo. Ragnar is the leader of his warband. His Father was Sigurd Hring and his Mother was Alfhild Gandolfsdotter. Ragnar is married to Lagertha and has two children, Björn and Gyda.

Background
At the age of 15 Ragnar earned a strong reputation of being a clever boy. Ragnar fought in a war against King Froh of Svealand when he invaded Norway. Ragnar joined Siward-loyalists after the death of the King of Norway. Ragnar wore a coat and breeches from a hairy animal hide to use as defense against King Frohs serpents. Because they could not break through the animal hide Ragnar was able to slay the King thus earning the name 'Lothbrok' meaning 'Hairy Breeches'. Later Ragnar confessed his love for Lagertha but was attacked by a Bear and the Dog guarding her home. He killed the Bear with a spear and strangled the Dog to death thus earning her hand in marriage. Ragnar also met a wanderer named Sinric who gave him a sun-stone and told him it was possible to go west over the sea by directing it to the sunlight.

Season 1
In the beginning 793 A.D, Ragnar is seen in the East Balts alongside his brother Rollo. Ragnar becomes fierce in combat with a Baltic tribesman. After the battle Ragnar sees a large number of Crows circling the hill, Ragnar sees a man walking up the hill in a dark cloak, he rubs his eyes and the man is gone but the number of Crows around the hill grows. He turns to see the man again further down the hill, the man moves his spear to the corpses. Ragnar thinks to himself "Odin" before seeing Valkyries decending down through the clouds grabbing the dead Viking warriors and taking them to Valhalla. Rollo calls Ragnars name causing him to look away, when looking back he sees no Valkyries or Odin.

Ragnar trains with his son Björn by teaching him how to fight with a sword and shield. Ragnar tells Björn to always "Watch." Later Ragnar tells Lagertha that he is taking Björn to the 'thing' the next day, though debated Ragnar says he is old enough. At night Ragnar tells Lagertha that he dreamed of her the night before and that he always thinks of her. Ragnar and Björn depart. Ragnar tells Björn about how he earned Lagertha's hand in marriage by killing a bear and her hound. At Kattegat Ragnar drinks will Rollo where he tells him of a sunboard he got from a wanderer. He explains how the board works. Ragnar shows Rollo the sunstone that can be used to find the sun if cloudy. With this Ragnar believes it possible to sail west.

Ragnar tells Björn he must watch the execution of Eric Trygvasson, as Rollo points out it is his only hope of entering Valhalla. In the Earls halls Ragnar watches his son receive his arm-ring signifying he is a man. Ragnar brings up the summer raids and the idea to go west rather than east. The Earl speaks to Ragnar in private about being insulted and how he will not waste his ships on Ragnars deluded fantasy. Ragnar goes to the Seer and asks him what the gods have in store. Ragnar goes to visit his good friend Floki to see how the boat is coming along. Floki tells him it will be ready soon and that it will be able to travel across long distances and across the brave west ocean. Ragnar arrives back at his home with Björn, telling Rollo of the ship he is asked if they can trust Floki. Ragnar says he trusts him to build great boats. Outside the house that night Ragnar see's a crow again, confused he looks around and sees the same man in a black cloak who he identifies to be Odin. Ragnar knows his course is true and that it is a sigh that they have to go west. In the morning Ragnar and Rollo meet with Floki who has the boat ready for sailing. They test the boat and it is successful. Ragnar knows the boat is perfect and will get them across the western ocean.

Ragnar heads to Erics home for the secret meeting of all those who will join Ragnar on the endeavour West. Rollo joins Ragnar, as the two head to the meeting. The two enter the building and are greeted by Eric, who welcomes them to his home. Eric tells Ragnar that he has done as he asked and has gathered loyal men who will not go running to Haraldson about Ragnars secret voyage. Eric also tells Ragnar that all of them have sworn upon their sacred rings to keep this a secret. Ragnar tells them that they are here firstly because they have nothing better to do and that they have built a new boat. One capable of sailing over long distance seas to the west. Ragnar tells them they have a way to go west over the ocean. Ragnar meets Knut, the Earls brother. Knut tells him that people going west are all just stories. To which Ragnar repeats, he says "All things begin and end as stories." Ragnar tells them that the Earl does not know about their secret voyage nor does he know about their new boat and the new ways of navigation. Ragnar agrees with Leif about the Earl and how he could kill them, Ragnar says that he could, but that he can offer them a chance to shine in battle and impress the gods. He tells them they will bring back such plunder that they have never seen before. Ragnar asks them who has the "balls" to join him. Eric, Kauko, Arne, Torstein, Leif and all others present agree to go with Ragnar. Ragnar asks Knut, who tells him that he is, as he wishes to tell a good story to his children. Ragnar tells eeryone to prepare for leaving in the coming weeks and to tell no-one who doesn't need to know.

Ragnar returns home and is greeted outside by his son Björn. Ragnar is asked by Lagertha when they sail, to which Ragnar states that he does not want her to come. Ragnar says that he needs to leave the farm and his kids in the hands of someone he trusts. He asks her what would happen if the Earl were to show up at his home and one of them wasn't there. He questions what Lagertha is saying to him, by saying what if there is no west and how it would be the most stupid voyage ever. He looks at her and says "What if we both die? Then who would take care of the children?" Ragnar flicks water in her face. Ragnar continues from his question saying "Rollo?"

A drunk Ragnar later at night heads to his bedroom for Lagertha, who hiding hits him in the head with a shield knocking Ragnar to the ground. Ragnar slowly gets to his feet spitting his blood into the fireplace. Lagertha begins to swing the shield at Ragnar, while Ragnar tries defending himself with objects in the home. Ragnar begins to laugh as Lagertha fights him. Björn stops this fight, Ragnar shoos him back to bed. Ragnar laughs and says "It's a funny thing when the little pig teaches the boar a lesson." In the morning he asks Lagertha if she is still angry, Ragnar hugs Lagertha before departing to Floki's home.

Ragnar places a knife to Floki's neck asking where the anchor for the boat is. After being assured it would come on the day they were sailing, Ragnar questions the blacksmith's honestly. Ragnar does not see Knut with the others, Floki says "Well that's because he isn't here." Ragnar rolls his eyes at this and says that it troubles him.

After placing the sun-board in a bucket of water, Ragnar discovers they are not too far south or too far north. During the storm Ragnar asks Floki if he is afraid. Floki tells him he his but not for himself, instead for the boat. Floki says he wants to show everybody that he can't sink their boat because he loves the boat. Floki begins to hysterically laugh, Ragnar joins in while telling him to sit down because Floki cannot swim.

Ragnar begins to look for the sun with the sun-stone. Ragnar, Rollo and Floki are accused by Hakon of tricking them out to their death. Ragnar turns his head to Hakon after he continues to ramble and says "If anyone is mad, it is you." Hakon stands to his feet saying he is not the one who convinced all the men to sacrifice their lives for a dream and an illusion. Ragnar tells him to sit back down and shut up. Hakon then accuses Ragnar of being Lloki the god of mischief, he then curse the day he ever came with Ragnar to go west. Ragnar grabs Hakon's knife and jabs it into his throat, killing him. Ragnar tells the men to release the ravens, so they know that if they come back there is no land, but if they don't then there is.

Ragnar and Rollo stare forward to the oncoming land. On shore Ragnar tells them not to throw away their lives to impress the gods. They begin clanging their shields as they march up to the Monastery. Ragnar stands on a hill and sees where the bells are ringing from, he smiles and they make their way to the gates. After breaking down Lindisfarne's gates Ragnar hears the Monks praying and the doors the kicked down. After slaughter ensues Ragnar takes Leif and Eric to see what they can find. Ragnar, Leif and Erik head into the main building of the Monastery. Ragnar grabs a young Monk Athelstan who begs for his life in Ragnars language. Ragnar is intrigued and lets him live. Rollo comes in and questions why he is not dead yet. Ragnar tells him he is going to sell him as a slave, Ragnar forbids Rollo from killing Athelstan to which Rollo says "How can you forbid it little brother. We are all equals, and I say he dies." Ragnar pushes Rollo away saying does it really mean that much to him. Seeing the monestary on fire Ragnar asks if that was Floki's doing, to which Floki laughs.

Quotes
""We are Brothers. We will always be equal.""

- Ragnar to his brother Rollo about sailing West ""It's a funny thing when the little pig teaches the boar a lesson.""

- Ragnar to Lagertha about his son Björn breaking up their fight.