The figure of Lagertha, the warrior woman from Norse legend, has captivated modern audiences largely through popular portrayals such as in Vikings (History Channel). While that depiction carries a heavy dose of dramatism, the roots of her story lie in Old Norse sagas that offer a very different, though equally compelling, narrative. Understanding what we actually know about Lagertha and her status as a shield maiden requires separating myth from fiction, tradition from television.
Origins in the Sagas
The earliest known reference to Lagertha appears in Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus, a 12th-century Danish chronicler. In this Latin work, Lagertha is introduced as a Norwegian woman of noble birth who fights among other women warriors to repel a Swedish invasion. According to Saxo, she was one of many women forced into prostitution by Frø, the King of Sweden, after he killed the Norwegian King Siward. Ragnar Lothbrok, in avenging Siward, encountered these women in battle. Impressed by Lagertha’s martial skill, he courted her.
The tale describes her as fighting “with a man’s courage” and routing enemies with unmatched fierceness. Though Saxo tends to downplay female warriors, attributing their prowess to “unnatural virility,” he still offers a vivid portrait of a capable and respected figure on the battlefield.
Historical Possibility
There is no contemporary evidence confirming Lagertha’s existence outside of literary sources. Unlike some semi-legendary figures whose names appear in runestones or other archaeological records, Lagertha remains confined to Saxo’s account. Her story reflects a broader tradition of warrior women in Norse culture rather than a verifiable biography.
The notion of shield maidens, however, is not pure fiction. Grave sites like the one at Birka, Sweden, once believed to be male due to the presence of weapons, have been identified as female through osteological and DNA analysis. This supports the idea that women could and did participate in combat under some circumstances, although not necessarily as a formal warrior caste.
Lagertha and Ragnar
In Gesta Danorum, Lagertha marries Ragnar and bears him children. However, their marriage does not last. When Ragnar decides to remarry, she helps him win a battle and then kills her second husband to reclaim power in Norway. This act of political and personal agency is unusual for women in medieval literature, reinforcing her mythic status.
It is worth noting that in the Vikings television series, Lagertha is portrayed as Ragnar’s first wife and the mother of Bjorn Ironside. This is a deviation from the saga, where her children are unnamed and Bjorn’s mother is elsewhere identified as Aslaug. The creative liberties taken in the show have contributed to a popular image that bears little historical resemblance.
Cultural Symbolism
Lagertha serves as a symbol of female strength and resistance, blending the mythic archetype of the warrior woman with a Scandinavian context. Her story has been embraced by feminist circles, reenactors, and modern audiences looking for historical female role models. While not confirmed by archaeology, her narrative stands as a cultural touchstone.
Legacy in Modern Media
Since her introduction to wider audiences through Vikings, Lagertha has become one of the most recognisable female figures in Norse-inspired media. Played by Katheryn Winnick, the character embodies strength, loyalty, and a deep connection to Scandinavian warrior traditions. However, this modern portrayal is far more fleshed out and sympathetic than the one found in Saxo’s account, which leans more on spectacle and classical misogyny.
The Seven Swords takeaway
Lagertha exists on the border between legend and literary invention. Whether or not she ever lived, her story reflects longstanding traditions of female agency in Norse lore and medieval storytelling. Her transformation from a marginal saga figure to an icon of popular culture speaks to the enduring appeal of warrior women in both ancient and modern narratives. While history remains silent on her factual existence, her symbolic presence continues to resonate.
Watch: The real Lagertha
