Origins & Early Life

Halfdan Ragnarsson (Old Norse: Hálfdan; Old English: Halfdene or Healfdene; Old Irish: Albann; died 877), was a Viking leader and a commander of the Great Heathen Army that invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England starting in 865. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describes him as a "heathen king". Halfdan was one of six sons of Ragnar Lodbrok named in Norse sagas; his brothers and half-brothers included Björn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ubba and Hvitserk. Because Halfdan is not mentioned in any source that mentions Hvitserk, some scholars have suggested that they are the same individual – a possibility reinforced by the fact that Halfdan was a relatively common name among Vikings and Hvitserk "white shirt" may have been an epithet or nickname that distinguished Halfdan from other men by the same name.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Halfdan was the first Viking King of Northumbria and a pretender to the throne of the Kingdom of Dublin. It is also possible he was for a time co-ruler of Denmark with his brother Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye, because Frankish sources mention a certain Sigfred and Halfdan as rulers in 873. He died at the Battle of Strangford Lough in 877 trying to press his Irish claim...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Jayavarman II — Contemporary (Died in 900) (900): Founder of the Khmer Empire, establishing Cambodian sovereignty in the 9th century.
• Vāchaspati Misra — Contemporary (Born in 900) (900): Ninth-century Indian philosopher of Advaita Vedanta, known for commentaries and grammar.
• John Scotus Eriugena — Contemporary (Died in 877) (877): Irish Neoplatonist philosopher, theologian, and poet of the Early Middle Ages.
• Taejo of Goryeo — Contemporary (Born in 877) (877): Founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, unifying the Korean Peninsula.
• Alfred the Great — Contemporary figure (Died in 899) (899): A pivotal Anglo-Saxon king who reformed England and championed learning against Viking threats.
• Ibrahim II of Ifriqiya — Contemporary figure (Died in 902) (902): Emir of Ifriqiya who centralized power, improved public works, and faced conflict with the Tulunids.
• Abu Hanifa Dinawari — Contemporary figure (Died in 895) (895): Polymath of the Islamic Golden Age: Astronomer, Botanist, and Historian.
• Æthelstan — Contemporary figure (Born in 895) (895): First recognized King of England, unifying the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
• 900 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 900
• 877 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 877