As the History Channel's TV mini-series, "The Vikings", continues to gain much popularity, there is an execution by torture that is expounded upon in a recent episode...the infamous "Blood Eagle"...
The way it was performed according to both historical data and legend is a victim sentenced to this type of execution had their ribs removed nearest their spine, then the ribs were broken so it resembled blood-stained wings. The victim's lungs were then pulled from the massive hole in their back that was needed to get to their ribs, and placed on the shoulders of the victim...until they died. If the victim were to remain silent, Valhalla awaited them. If they screamed, they would be forever condemned to a life of wandering...with no hope. Salt was often poured upon the victim's wounds to enhance the pain.
In Skaldic poetry...a poetry dating back to the early 9th century in the Scandinavian regions or Nordic areas...including the lands of the Vikings, there is clear mention of this type execution being used.
It appears the real purpose of ancient Skaldic poetry was to promote the fierceness of the great Nordic kings and tribal chieftains of various cultures...like The Vikings. The word Skaldic itself is to have derived meaning "Shout", an almost Psalmic rendition of great feats of local kings and chieftains. The poems originate in Nordic pagan religious beliefs...with gods like Odin...and Thor.
The stories of the Blood Eagle form of execution was written in Skaldic poetry to place fear in the hearts of anyone who might challenge them.
There have been more than a few defeated kings claimed to have experienced this Blood Eagle form of death....and I turn my focus on this one: King Ella of Northumbria.
Northumbria was an area consisting of northern England and parts of southeast Scotland during the period known as the Dark Ages.
Ragnar Lodbrok had freed the Swedish and Denmark regions of foreign rule, and gave birth to sons who wanted to show themselves every bit as fearless as their legendary father had become.
As a result, Ragnar's sons had attacked numerous regions of the northern area in the English areas, so Ragnar had decided he would not let his sons...outdo him...or so the legend goes.
Ragnar then attacks the northern area of England with only 2 knarrs...Viking longboats designed for transporting cargo...not for war.
One story goes that King Ella of Northumbria became upset over the pillage of their Viking counterparts, he amassed a large army...that was able to defeat and capture the now legendary Ragnar Lodbrok. King Ella then had Ragnar thrown into a pit of vipers and soon died.
As a result, Ragnar's sons Huitserte, Bjorn Ironside, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ubbe and...Ivarr the Boneless did not take the news...quietly.
All the sons then attacked Ella of Northumbria...and all were defeated by King Ella. Ivarr then went to King Ella to seek reconciliation...yet it was basically a temporary reprieve...for later the sons of Ragnar did overtake and capture...King Ella of Northumbria.
To avenge their father's death, Ivarr and his brothers chose the "Blood Eagle" as the form of execution...for King Ella. Ivarr was written to be the leader among the brothers...who in some circles was nicknamed "The Boneless" because of his ability to avoid physical harm...yet, that is mere legend.
At any rate, King Ella was given..."The Blood Eagle" execution....how he finished his life in that...no one seems to know for sure.
When Ragnar Lodbrok met his death in the "Den of Vipers", it is said he prophesied saying: "The little pigs would grunt now...if they only knew the wishes of the Old Boar."
In Skaldi poetry...it is translated:
"And Ivarr, the one who now held York,
Had Ella's back cut...with an eagle."
The Blood Eagle...a most feared execution...
NOTE: ON the History Channel's "The Vikings", Ragnar Lothbrok never forgave Jarl Borg's threats to destroy Ragnar's family, take his lands, and stop Ragnar all together. When Jarl Borg was captured by Ragnar Lothbrok, he awaited his sentence in chains. Ragnar Lothbrok then performed "The Blood Eagle" on Jarl Borg...a gruesome death scene.
The way it was performed according to both historical data and legend is a victim sentenced to this type of execution had their ribs removed nearest their spine, then the ribs were broken so it resembled blood-stained wings. The victim's lungs were then pulled from the massive hole in their back that was needed to get to their ribs, and placed on the shoulders of the victim...until they died. If the victim were to remain silent, Valhalla awaited them. If they screamed, they would be forever condemned to a life of wandering...with no hope. Salt was often poured upon the victim's wounds to enhance the pain.
In Skaldic poetry...a poetry dating back to the early 9th century in the Scandinavian regions or Nordic areas...including the lands of the Vikings, there is clear mention of this type execution being used.
It appears the real purpose of ancient Skaldic poetry was to promote the fierceness of the great Nordic kings and tribal chieftains of various cultures...like The Vikings. The word Skaldic itself is to have derived meaning "Shout", an almost Psalmic rendition of great feats of local kings and chieftains. The poems originate in Nordic pagan religious beliefs...with gods like Odin...and Thor.
The stories of the Blood Eagle form of execution was written in Skaldic poetry to place fear in the hearts of anyone who might challenge them.
There have been more than a few defeated kings claimed to have experienced this Blood Eagle form of death....and I turn my focus on this one: King Ella of Northumbria.
Northumbria was an area consisting of northern England and parts of southeast Scotland during the period known as the Dark Ages.
Ragnar Lodbrok had freed the Swedish and Denmark regions of foreign rule, and gave birth to sons who wanted to show themselves every bit as fearless as their legendary father had become.
As a result, Ragnar's sons had attacked numerous regions of the northern area in the English areas, so Ragnar had decided he would not let his sons...outdo him...or so the legend goes.
Ragnar then attacks the northern area of England with only 2 knarrs...Viking longboats designed for transporting cargo...not for war.
One story goes that King Ella of Northumbria became upset over the pillage of their Viking counterparts, he amassed a large army...that was able to defeat and capture the now legendary Ragnar Lodbrok. King Ella then had Ragnar thrown into a pit of vipers and soon died.
As a result, Ragnar's sons Huitserte, Bjorn Ironside, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ubbe and...Ivarr the Boneless did not take the news...quietly.
All the sons then attacked Ella of Northumbria...and all were defeated by King Ella. Ivarr then went to King Ella to seek reconciliation...yet it was basically a temporary reprieve...for later the sons of Ragnar did overtake and capture...King Ella of Northumbria.
To avenge their father's death, Ivarr and his brothers chose the "Blood Eagle" as the form of execution...for King Ella. Ivarr was written to be the leader among the brothers...who in some circles was nicknamed "The Boneless" because of his ability to avoid physical harm...yet, that is mere legend.
At any rate, King Ella was given..."The Blood Eagle" execution....how he finished his life in that...no one seems to know for sure.
When Ragnar Lodbrok met his death in the "Den of Vipers", it is said he prophesied saying: "The little pigs would grunt now...if they only knew the wishes of the Old Boar."
In Skaldi poetry...it is translated:
"And Ivarr, the one who now held York,
Had Ella's back cut...with an eagle."
The Blood Eagle...a most feared execution...
NOTE: ON the History Channel's "The Vikings", Ragnar Lothbrok never forgave Jarl Borg's threats to destroy Ragnar's family, take his lands, and stop Ragnar all together. When Jarl Borg was captured by Ragnar Lothbrok, he awaited his sentence in chains. Ragnar Lothbrok then performed "The Blood Eagle" on Jarl Borg...a gruesome death scene.
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