Welcome to the British History Podcast.

My name is Jamie, and this is Episode 203, Yourvick.

This show is free and independent due to member support, and it's thanks for helping

keep the community going.

I offer members only content, including extra episodes and rough transcripts.

Right now, the members are listening to an episode about the Easter eggs and errors that

we caught while we watched the first episode of BBC's The Last Kingdom.

And there were a surprising number of rather subtle Easter eggs in that show.

It's pretty good so far.

And if you'd like to hear our take on it, you can get instant access to that episode

and all the other members' episodes by signing up for membership at theBritishHistoryPodcast.com.

And thank you very much to Kate, Diane, and John for signing up already.

I'd like to start today's episode with a poem.

Not about my feelings or about a tough breakup, but a scaldic poem from the 12th century.

It's called The Lay of Krakka, and it was probably recorded somewhere in Scotland.

The reason why it's important is that it contains what's claimed to be Ragnar Lothbrok's

Death Song.

So according to legend, this is the starting point for everything we've been talking about.

And here is Dr. Wagnar's translation.

We struck with our swords.

Why should a warrior coward before the ranks when braving the Blizzard of Spear Points?

He who mourns his demise has never fed meat often to eagles in the edge game.

...