Bjorn Ironside (821-880) was the king of Svibjod (Sweden) from 860 to 880, succeeding Ragnarr Lodbrok and preceding Eric Anundsson.
Biography[]
Bjorn Ironside was born in 821, the son of King Ragnarr Lodbrok and Lagertha. He was a member of the af Munso house, and, like his father, he became a renowned Viking. He took part in Hastein's Mediterranean expedition of 859-861, raiding down the Spanish coast, fighting their way through Gibraltar, pillaging southern France, capturing Pisa in Italy, and winning several victories in Sicily and North Africa. The fleet returned to Breton waters in 862. While he was absent in the Mediterranean, Bjorn became the king of Svibjod (Sweden) after the death of his father in 860 at the hands of Aella of Northumbria. To avenge the death of their father, Bjorn Ironside and his brothers Ivar the Boneless of Sudreyjar and Halfdan Whiteshirt of Jorvik invaded East Anglia and Northumbria in 865 at the head of a "Great Heathen Army". The brothers went on to campaign in England, Normandy, France, and Lombardy before dividing their father's kingdom among them. Bjorn died in 880, and he was succeeded by Eric Anundsson.
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