Who was Viking chieftain Ivar the Boneless?
Questions and answers about Ivar the Boneless.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © clu-DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images; © Hunterbliss/Dreamstime.comLearn about Germany's economic boom in 1870–71.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn about events and conditions that led to the Texas Revolution (1835–36).
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Historical interpreter Stephen Seals talks about how he educates the public on the history of slavery at colonial Williamsburg.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzLearn about Viking trade and its importance in Viking rituals.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail Lieut. Michael M. Dean/Canada. Dept. of National Defence Library and Archives Canada/PA-140126In the aftermath of World War II, many Europeans lacked adequate food, shelter, and resources.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail W.carter; © Nejron/Dreamstime.comOverview of archaeologists' efforts to uncover Viking treasure on Gotland island, Sweden.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn strange and weird facts about wars in history.
News •
9 stats from Bills' win: Buffalo defense matches 1985 Bears, Carson Wentz historically bad
• Nov. 10, 2026, 9:01 AM ET (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Hometown glory? Norwegian library unveils £100k history book donated by Erling Haaland
• Nov. 9, 2026, 12:10 PM ET (The Guardian)
Vikings the NFL’s last remaining unbeaten after Chiefs fall to Seahawks
• Oct. 26, 2026, 9:31 AM ET (New York Times)
'I worked on 1970s dig that changed what we knew about Vikings'
• Oct. 16, 2026, 1:03 AM ET (BBC)
Transcript
Ivar the Boneless
Who was Ivar the Boneless?
Ivar the Boneless was a Viking chieftain who was said to be the son of the Danish king Ragnar Lothbrok. Ivar invaded England to conquer it. Much of what is known about his life is from legend.
What did Ivar the Boneless accomplish?
Ivar invaded England in 865 with a large Viking force and captured the city of York in 866.
How did Ivar the Boneless acquire his epithet?
The origin of the nickname “the Boneless” is unknown. It possibly refers to an inability to walk or to a skeletal condition—such as osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease.
Who was Ivar the Boneless?
Ivar the Boneless was a Viking chieftain who was said to be the son of the Danish king Ragnar Lothbrok. Ivar invaded England to conquer it. Much of what is known about his life is from legend.
What did Ivar the Boneless accomplish?
Ivar invaded England in 865 with a large Viking force and captured the city of York in 866.
How did Ivar the Boneless acquire his epithet?
The origin of the nickname “the Boneless” is unknown. It possibly refers to an inability to walk or to a skeletal condition—such as osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease.
Last Modification: