Guest author: Roberta Eaton Cheadle ~ The Vikings in York: Ivar the Boneless

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Sue Vincent

Ivar the Boneless

Ivar the Boneless, also known as Ivar Ragnarsson, was the Viking leader who captured York in AD 866 and called the city Jorvik.

According to Norse legend, Ivar the Boneless was born “without any bones at all.” His mother, Aslaug, was a shaman, and his father, Ragnar Lodbrok, was a famous war chieftain. When they married, Aslaug warned Ragnar that he must wait three nights before making love to her or their child would be deformed. Ragnar didn’t wait and Ivar the Boneless was the result of their union.

According to Viking sagas, Ivar the Boneless had only cartilage where there should have been bone but, other than this, he was tall and handsome. Modern historians have speculated that Ivar could have suffered from a condition called osteogenesis inperfecta, which leaves sufferers with fragile, glasslike bones. Another theory stems from the claim by a farmer that he had found Ivar’s remains and that he was nine feet tall. If that were the case, Ivar would be unlikely to have been unable to stand unaided.

It is theorised that the Ivar the Boneless took the town of York in order to extract revenge on King Aella of Northumbria who he believed had killed his father by throwing him into a pit of poisonous vipers during a Viking raid on the north-eastern shores of England.

According to legend, King Aella was executed by Ivar and his brothers using the blood eagle, a ritual method of execution whereby the ribcage is opened from behind and the lungs are pulled out, forming a wing-like shape.

Jorvik Viking Centre

During our recent visit to the city of York, we went to the Jorvik Viking Centre, the site of the Coppergate archaeological dig. We descended steps to reach the Viking-age street level which is about 9 metres below the modern day street level.

We entered into a large room with a glass floor under which are the remains of two houses. The first house has a hearth and wattle and daub walls and the second house has a cellar with oak timber walls. There are also fences, pits, a drain and a pathway.

After seeing the excavation replica detailed above, we went on a mechanical boat tour of the replica of the Viking Street, which has been created based on archaeological evidence.

A selection of photographs of the Viking street at the Jorvik Viking Centre, York

The tour ended in the museum when various Viking relics were on display.

The skeleton of a woman from the museum at the Jorvik Viking Centre

Through the Nethergate

Through the Nethergate, my new supernatural novel, does not have any Viking characters. There are a number of other historical figures from various time periods who feature, however, either during Margaret’s time in Hell or as ghosts who haunt the Inn where she lives, or other places she visits.

This is an extract from a scene that features the sinking of the White Ship in Barfleur Harbour in the 12th century.

“She stood on the deck of the sailing ship. Evening had fallen and a bitter wind was blowing as the crew steered the ship, one of the most advanced vessels of its time, through the choppy, dark water.

The knot of tension in her stomach would remain until they were out of Barfleur Harbour and on the open sea. The harbour was known to be difficult to navigate as treacherous rocks hid just below the surface of the ocean. The loud and raucous behaviour of the passengers and some of the crew fuelled her anxiety. They had been drinking all day and had delayed the ship’s departure until after dark. The party was still in full swing as the revellers enjoyed the wine that had been brought on board for the voyage home.

“Faster,” called her half-brother, William Adelin, a high-spirited young man and heir to the English throne. “I want to beat my father’s ship home.” He spurred on the oarsman who were already rowing full-tilt.

The crash ricocheted through the ship. The collision with a submerged rock ripped a hole in the vessel’s hull. One of the crew shrieked in terror as the boat capsized and started to sink rapidly.

“William, help me,” she screamed, “where is William? William!

William!” She wrung her hands in terror.”

About the author

I am an author who has recently branched into adult horror and supernatural writing and, in order to clearly differential my children’s books from my young adult and adult writing, these will be published under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. My first young adult supernatural novel, Through the Nethergate, has recently been published.

I have two short stories in the horror/supernatural genre included in Dark Visions, a collection of 34 short stories by 27 different authors and edited by award winning author, Dan Alatorre as well as three short stories published in Death Among Us, a collection of murder mystery short stories by 10 different authors and edited by Stephen Bentley. These short stories are published under Robbie Cheadle.

Find and follow Roberta Cheadle Eaton

Twitter    Facebook    Blog    Goodreads    Website

Purchase Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s Books from:

TSL Books    Lulu    Amazon.com     Amazon UK

 

Through the Nethergate

Margaret, a girl born with second sight, has the unique ability to bring ghosts trapped between Heaven and Hell back to life. When her parents die suddenly, she goes to live with her beloved grandfather, but the cellar of her grandfather’s ancient inn is haunted by an evil spirit of its own.

In the town of Bungay, a black dog wanders the streets, enslaving the ghosts of those who have died unnatural deaths. When Margaret arrives, these phantoms congregate at the inn, hoping she can free them from the clutches of Hugh Bigod, the 12th century ghost who has drawn them away from Heaven’s White Light in his canine guise.

With the help of her grandfather and the spirits she has befriended, Margaret sets out to defeat Hugh Bigod, only to discover he wants to use her for his own ends – to take over Hell itself.

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About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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35 Responses to Guest author: Roberta Eaton Cheadle ~ The Vikings in York: Ivar the Boneless

  1. robertawrites235681907 says:
    October 23, 2019 at 18:59

    Thanks for having me over with this post, Sue. I found the story of Ivar the Boneless very interesting and I am glad you linked your story to this post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Claire Fullerton says:
    October 23, 2019 at 19:46

    Interesting to follow Robbie’s trip to York and see this here now 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. willowdot21 says:
    October 23, 2019 at 20:27

    Brilliant interview Sue and Robbie💜💜🦇

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Mary Smith says:
    October 24, 2019 at 00:09

    Fascinating, Robbie.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  5. memadtwo says:
    October 24, 2019 at 02:17

    That is certainly a grisly means of execution. (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. Ianus Christius says:
    October 24, 2019 at 17:06

    Interesting story from the history of the North…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Pingback: Guest author: Roberta Eaton Cheadle – The Vikings in York: Ivar the Boneless – Roberta Writes

  8. OIKOS™-Publishing says:
    October 24, 2019 at 21:08

    First time i read so much about the Vikings in York/ Britain. Very useful. Thank you Robbie, and Sue for sharing. Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. dgkaye says:
    October 25, 2019 at 01:04

    Fabulous post ladies. Looking forward to this Robbie, congrats again ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Mae Clair says:
    October 25, 2019 at 02:50

    What a fascinating look at Ivar the Boneless. These types of posts really resonate with me. Great job, Robbie.
    Thanks to Sue for hosting as well.
    I’m looking forward to Through the Nethergate!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. K Morris Poet says:
    October 25, 2019 at 12:45

    An interesting post, Robbie, and thank you Sue for publishing it. I have visited the Viking Museum in York many years ago and remember traveling in the time car/boat. Kevin

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. noelleg44 says:
    October 28, 2019 at 14:42

    Ivar the Boneless is a compelling character – I’ll look him up. I did visit a Viking dwelling while we were in Iceland – would love to see this museum. This book needs a look!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. kidsstoryworld says:
    November 22, 2019 at 10:49

    Love love love York! I’m from Leeds and every school holiday my mum would take a day off work and take me to York. Such an incredible city. Had no idea about Ivar! It’s been years since I last went to York. Think it’s time for another trip back. Thanks for the memories. Great blog! 💖📚

    Like

    Reply

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