Maritime Madams: Lagertha

Womanica

Acast Creative Studios

History, Society & Culture, Education

4.3 • 920 Ratings

🗓️ 10 July 2025

⏱️ 4 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Lagertha was a Viking shield-maiden who is said to have ruled in the 9th century AD in what is now Norway She was the first wife of Ragnar Lothbrok, King of the Vikings and a skilled warrior and sea commander. In one such instance, Ragnar sent to Norway for support in a battle he was losing, and Lagertha came to his aid with 120 ships playing a decisive role in the victory of this battle.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're talking about Maritime Madams. Whether through scientific study, aquatic exploration, or legendary prowess, they harnessed the power of the bodies of waters that cover our earth.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is an I-Heart podcast.
0:10.2	Hello, from Wonder Media Network, I'm Jenny Kaplan, and this is Womanica.
0:15.1	This month we're talking about maritime madams, whether through scientific study, aquatic exploration, or legendary prowess,
0:22.3	these women harness the power of the bodies of water that cover our earth.
0:26.9	Today we're talking about a Viking woman whose skills as a warrior on the field, and at sea,
0:31.8	made her the stuff of legends, so much so that we're not certain whether she existed at all.
0:37.7	Please welcome Lagerta.
0:44.0	Over a thousand years ago, medieval Scandinavia was rife with the feuds of warring Viking kingdoms and tribes.
0:52.1	Frou, the king of Sweden, once invaded the Norwegian kingdom and killed their king, Seward.
0:57.7	He then jailed all of the women in Seward's family in a brothel.
1:01.7	News of Froh's brutality traveled to Ragnar Lothbrook, King Seward's grandson.
1:07.5	Ragnar was a famous Viking warrior, notorious for his piracy and violent raids.
1:12.6	When Ragnar heard of his grandfather's murder and his family's humiliation, he led his army
1:17.0	to Norway to seek revenge. Lagerta was one of the women locked away in the brothel.
1:22.3	To escape, she and the other women disguised themselves as men and joined Ragnar's army in the
1:27.2	battle against King Frou. Ragnar's army in the battle against
1:27.8	King Frue.
1:30.0	Ragnar was so impressed by her skill and ferocity as a warrior that he credited their victory
1:34.8	to her alone.
1:36.8	He began to court her, sending frequent letters to her home in the Gaula River Valley
1:40.9	in western Norway.
1:43.1	Knowing Ragnar would eventually show up to claim her as his bride, Lagerta installed a great bear
	...

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