Editing Ragnar Lodbrok (section)

== Ragnar's role on warrior aristocracy ==
Ragnar Lodbrok's legendary status as a Viking chieftain and hero exemplifies the warrior aristocracy that defined Viking society during the early medieval period. The warrior aristocracy was a class of elite warriors who wielded political power, wealth, and influence based on their martial prowess, leadership, and ability to secure loyalty through plunder and patronage. In the poem ''[[Hávamál]]'', many different rules are highlighted to show what a good Norse warrior ought to be. Ragnar's life is easily comparable to the different rules highlighted in the ''Hávamál''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Terry |first=Patricia |title=Poems of the Vikings: The elder edda |date=1 January 1969 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=0672603322 |edition=1st |location=New York |publication-date=1 January 1969 |pages=13–39}}</ref> Ragnar's role within this societal structure highlights the values and dynamics of Viking leadership.

=== Warlord and chieftain ===
Ragnar is depicted as a charismatic and strategic leader who led numerous successful raids across Europe, including England and Francia. These exploits elevated his status as a powerful chieftain and warlord within the Viking hierarchy. His ability to gather and command loyal warriors was central to his influence, as a successful Viking leader depended on retaining a retinue of well-armed and motivated followers.

=== Pursuit of wealth and glory ===
In Viking society, wealth and fame were essential to a leader's prestige. In the Norse poem ''[[Hávamál]]''<ref name=":3" /> many of the stanzas tell about the relevance of wealth, fame and glory. In one of the stanzas from the ''Hávamál'',<ref name=":3" /> the poem says:

{{poem quote|Kinsmen die,
You yourself die,
gods and gold die;
an honourable name will never die,
one which was won
by your own work<ref name=":3" />}}

Ragnar's legendary exploits, such as his [[Siege of Paris (845)|siege of Paris in 845 CE]], illustrate his role in securing riches and reputation for himself and his men. The warrior aristocracy was sustained through the acquisition of plunder and tribute, and Ragnar's reputed success in these endeavors exemplify the ideals of Viking leadership.

=== Kinship and legacy ===
Ragnar's role as a progenitor of a line of prominent Viking leaders, such as his legendary sons [[Ivar the Boneless]], [[Björn Ironside|Bjorn Ironside]], and [[Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye]], help explain the importance of kinship ties in maintaining aristocratic power. His sons' significant roles in Viking conquests and the establishment of the [[Danelaw]] reflect how Ragnar's legacy reinforced the continuity of aristocratic dominance.

=== Role in Viking expansion ===
Ragnar's exploits exemplify the broader ambitions of the Viking warrior aristocracy, which sought to expand their influence through exploration, trade, and conquest. His legendary journeys to England and beyond reflect the aristocracy's role in driving Viking expansion and shaping early medieval Europe.