Halfdan "White Shirt" Ragnarsson ¹

  General Notes:

Founder of the Danish kingdom of York (875/876), son of Ragnar Lodbrok, the most famous Viking of the 9th century.

After participating in raids on Anglo-Saxon lands to the south, Halfdan and his followers invaded the mouth of the Tyne (874) and engaged in warfare with both Picts and the Britons of Strathclyde. In 876 he distributed the large region of York among his men and may then have left to join Viking campaigns in northern Ireland; he may be the Danish king "Albann" who was slain near Strangford Lough in 877. By another account he remained in York until 883. ²

  Research Notes:

Hvitsärk (Whiteshirt) was one of the legendary sons of Ragnar Lodbrok and Kraka. After having avenged his father together with his brothers, he went pillaging in Russia. He was, however, opposed by such a large foe, that he could not win. When asked about how he wished to die, he decided to be burnt alive. He was the father of Höskuld (Askold) who conquered Kiev. ³

  Noted events in his life were:

• Acceded: 875. ¹ King of Dublin