_The Sons of Lothbrok._ Ragnar LothbrÛk was a famous king who flourished about the middle of the ninth century, and who, according to legend, obtained his name ('Shaggy Breeks') from the shaggy trowsers which he wore when he went to attack a serpent. His various exploits are told in the _Saga of Ragnar LothbrÛk_, and in the _Th·ttr of the Sons of Ragnar_, and also by Saxo Grammaticus, _Dan. Hist._, pp. 368-380, etc. Among his other adventures he is said to have invaded Northumbria, but he was defeated by King Ella (∆lla) and thrown into a snake-pit, where he "died laughing," as we are told in a late poem (_Krakum·l_ or the 'Death-song of Ragnar LothbrÛk'). His death was afterwards avenged by his sons who invaded England in 866. Practically nothing historical is known of LobrÛk himself, though the achievements of his sons, both in the British Isles and on the continent, are of great historical importance. _In the neighbourhood of the Alps._ In 856, Bjˆrn Ironside, a son of Ragnar LothbrÛk, with H·stein his chief lieutenant, invaded France, and during the years 859-862 made expeditions to Spain, Africa, the south of France, and Italy, capturing Pisa, Luna, etc. There can be no doubt that in their invasion of Italy in 860 the real objective was Rome; but for some unknown reason they returned without approaching it. According to Scandinavian tradition, when they entered Luna they were under the impression that it was Rome, and returned satisfied that their aim was accomplished. _Vifilsborg._ This place is identified by Wilken with the modern Avenches in the Canton Vaud (Switzerland). _Make their way there_, lit. 'pass over (the mountains) thither.' X. _Eric_, a famous King of Sweden in the time of Harold the Fairhaired, King of Norway, in the latter half of the ninth century. He is frequently referred to in the Sagas and regarded as the typical great Swedish King of the past. _Upsala_, i.e. Old Upsala, the ancient capital of the Swedish kingdom, a few miles from the modern city. _King Harold the Fairhaired_, said to have been born _c._ 850 and to have succeeded as King of Vestfold _c._ 860. His conquest of Norway was practically completed at the Battle of Hafrsfjˆrth (_c._ 872). He is said to have retired in 930 and died _c._ 933. _King Hlothver_, i.e. Louis I, King of the Franks and Emperor, 814-840. _The Saxons_ inhabited a large part of north-west Germany and Holland; but the name _Saxland_ is often used in a wider sense, i.e. the German part of the Empire. _Nornagest_, i.e. 'Gest (or guest) of the Norns.' The Norns were represented in Scandinavian mythology as women with the power of shaping human destiny. See _Helgakvia Hundingsbana_, 1, str. 2; _Gylfaginning_, chs. 15, 16; Saxo Grammaticus, _Dan. Hist._, p. 223; the _Saga of Burnt Nj·l_, ch. 156. Similar beliefs occur in Greek stories about the Fates ([Greek: KlÙthes]) e.g. the late Greek legend of the birth of Meleager. Cf. p. 13 above.