Rollo was one of the most important Vikings in history, which is probably why the producer wanted to add the character to the mix. That said, there are many discrepancies with history, and we’ll start there, along with Norse mythology.
Was the real Rollo Ragnar Lothbrok the brother of Lothbrok?
Ragnar Lothbrok was a legendary Viking hero who attacked England and France many times and father of some very important names in Viking history such as Björn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye.
The raids on England and France and the exploits of his sons, particularly Björn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless (click to read about his life and death), had significant effects on the structure of these lands. However, there are many theories about the identity of the real Ragnar Lothbrok.
Given that the accounts we have of Ragnar are mostly oral records and sagas, it is not possible to know exactly who Ragnar was. Some experts suggest that these sagas are simply compilations of stories about different Viking heroes (different heroes who are given the name Ragnar or similar names according to some).
However, there is one thing we can be sure of: he was not the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok. First of all, there is a significant difference between the times in which they both lived.
Origin of the name
The name is supposed to be the Latinized version of “Hrólfr.” According to legend, Hrólfr the Walker was a very large Viking who had to walk because no horse could carry him.
In his work, Gesta Danorum (“Deeds of the Danes”), the 12th-century author Saxo Grammaticus suggests that Hrólfr the Walker is actually Roluo. Similarly, in the Icelandic sagas, he is identified with Göngu-Hrólfr (Ganger-Hrolf in Old Danish – “Hrólfr the Walker”).
Denmark or Norway – Where was Rollo from?
There are several theories about the birthplace and origin of Duke Rollo of Normandy. According to the Historia Normannorum, also known as Libri III de moribus et actis primorum Normanniae ducum.
A biography of Rollo written by Dudo of Saint-Quentin states that Rollo was the son of a Danish nobleman and had a brother named Gurim. After his father’s death, his brother was murdered and Rollo was expelled from Denmark.
Dudo probably had the opportunity to work with members of the family and other people who knew Rollo, since his work was commissioned by Rollo’s grandson, Richard I of Normandy. This, however, could be a reason not to consider the Historia Normannorum as an official biography, as it could be a biased narrative.
Goffredo Malaterra, a monk and historian of the 11th century, stated that Rollo was from Norway and arrived on the shores of Christian lands with his Norwegian army. This was later supported by William of Malmesbury, an English historian who lived in the 12th century.
Furthermore, a Welsh author suggests in The Life of Gruffudd ap Cynan that Rollo the Viking was actually the brother of Harald Fairhair/Harald Finehair, King of Norway (another character based on a real-life Viking from the History Channel).
The Icelandic sagas Heimskringla and Orkneyinga identify Rollo with Hrolf the Walker. According to these sagas, Hrolf was born in More, a western region of Norway in the 9th century as the son of Rognvald Eysteinsson (“Rognvald the Wise”), the Jarl/Earl of More, and Hildr Hrólfsdóttir, a noble woman.
This information may also be biased, as these claims were made by Rollo’s descendants three centuries after his death. Rollo’s raids in France and becoming Duke Rollo of Normandy
The siege of Paris during the years 885 and 886 was the first time Rollo’s name appeared in history as a Viking leader. According to Dudo, Rollo seized Rouen in 876.
Another chronicler, Flodoard, later supported Dudo’s findings, adding that Robert of the Breton March fought against Rollo but had to surrender some coastal parts of the region to him and his Viking brothers.
Seeing the progress made by Rollo and the Vikings, Charles III (Charles the Simple), King of West Francia, wanted to make peace with them. Charles III offered to formally recognize Rollo’s possession of these lands on condition that he convert to Christianity and help defend the kingdom against other Viking forces. The parties signed an agreement called the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in 911.
After being baptized and taking the name “Robert,” Rollo divided the lands between the Epte and Risle rivers among his brothers while settling in Rouen.
According to Flodoard’s account, when Charles III was overthrown by a revolt, Robert of Neustria, his successor, wanted to fight the Vikings. Both Robert and his successor Ralph were defeated by the Vikings. As a result, Ralph had to grant the areas of Maine and Bessin to Rollo and his men.
The lands of the northerners expanded even further with a third grant when Cotentin and Avranchin were given to William Longsword, Rollo’s son, in 933, which is assumed to be the year of Rollo’s death.
Wives and children
According to mythology, he had a rather eventful love life, which we invite you to discover.
Bayeux
After capturing Bayeux, he took Poppa, the daughter of Berenger, Count of Rennes. He married her and had a son named William Longsword, who became his successor.
Some sources suggest that Poppa of Bayeux was his mistress or could have been his wife in more danic (a type of free marriage in the ancient Norse tradition).
According to William of Jumièges, Rollo and Poppa also had a daughter named Gerloc (Adele) who later married William II, Duke of Aquitaine.
Gisla
This important legendary figure in mythology married Princess Gisla, daughter of Charles III, King of West Francia, to seal the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, which also made him Duke of Normandy. However, there is speculation about the existence of Gisla and/or her legitimacy as the daughter of King Charles.
Historians suggest that she may have been an illegitimate daughter of Charles the Simple, as she would have been a 5-year-old girl when she married Rollo, considering that King Charles married for the first time in 907.
The possible marriage in Scotland
A Banshenchas, a medieval Irish account, and some Icelandic sources suggest that Rollo married in Scotland and had a daughter named Kathleen (Kaðlín/Cadlina). Later, Kathleen married the King of South Brega, Beollán mac Ciarmaic.
William Longsword – His Son
William Longsword (Vilhjálmr Langaspjót in Old Norse and Guillaume Longue-Épée in French) succeeded the Viking and acted as Duke of Normandy until he was assassinated in 942 by the followers of one of his enemies, Arnulf I, Count of Flanders.
His son, Richard (who would later become Richard I of Normandy/Richard the Fearless) succeeded him as Duke of Normandy at a very young age, when he was only 10 years old.
The descendants of Rollo and William the Conqueror
The Viking’s son, William Longsword, and his grandson, Richard the Fearless, made the Duchy of Normandy even stronger. Assimilated into French culture, the northerners made this region their home, and this part of France became “Normandy.”
His descendants also conquered England, Italy (Sicily in particular), and even lands as far as the Middle East, namely the Principality of Antioch (a region within the lands of present-day Turkey and Syria).
Another important note here is that he is also the great-great-grandfather of William I of England, who later became William the Conqueror. Therefore, he is also one of the ancestors of the current British royal family and of several other European monarchs through his descendants.
Guthrum
As an interesting note for fans of The Last Kingdom, another fictional TV series about the Vikings, Dudo also suggests that Rollo became friends with a king of England named Alstem.
The true identity of this king was a mystery for some time until it was understood that Alstem was actually Guthrum, the Viking warlord who was baptized by Alfred the Great and recognized as king of the East Angles, as shown in The Last Kingdom.
