Summary

• Ragnar and Lagertha's relationship on Vikings had its highs and lows, but their love story remains relatable even for modern audiences.
• Lagertha made choices that prioritized her own interests over her son's, leading to struggles and hardship within their family dynamic.
• Ragnar's actions, like cheating on Lagertha and putting their son in danger, ultimately led to the destruction of their once happy marriage.

While Ragnar Lothbrok is a legendary hero in Vikings, he's a lot more than that and his romance with Lagertha played out as an important part of the series. However, thanks to things like the Rollo and Lagertha relationship and the terrible things Ragnar did to his family, their relationship was full of disappointing moments. They both share the main lead roles in Vikings and, whether married or divorced, they play a huge part in the story throughout the series. The worst things they did to each other are almost as bad as the struggles the Vikings endured.

All 6 seasons of Vikings are available to watch on Netflix!

Ragnar and Lagertha existed in a strange period on Vikings, yet their love story remains relatable, so many years later. They had ups and downs, and even modern audiences can relate to their struggles. As a loving couple, they built a family, but then mistakes and poor decisions drove them apart. They became eventual enemies, although their feelings remained strong from the start to the end, whether it was love or hate. They made it to the end of Ragnar's life, and their relationship ended with a kiss, showing that true love never dies.

Worst Things Lagertha Did To Ragnar

Lagertha Took Bjorn Away

He wanted to be a great warrior like his father, but he chose his mother and left with her

When Lagertha divorces Ragnar, she had every right to end their relationship. However, she took it one step further by leaving town. That decision forced Bjorn to choose between his parents. For Ragnar and Bjorn's sake, Lagertha could have stayed closer to Kattegat. This could have allowed Bjorn and his father to have a relationship, and he would never have had to choose between parents. While no one can blame her for wanting to leave her ex-husband and the woman he was leaving her for, there was more at play than that.

While Lagertha taking Bjorn away from Ragnar was bad, it wasn't just her decision. Bjorn was angry that his father cheated on his mother with Aslaug, and then agreed to marry the woman he cheated with. He wanted to be a great warrior like his father, but he chose his mother and left with her, separating father and son.

Lagertha Lied About Bjorn's Parentage

Early in Lagertha and Ragnar's relationship, she was also with Ragnar's brother, Rollo. Ragnar claimed he stole Lagertha from Rollo, but Lagertha and Rollo were together before that happened, years before Vikings season 1 started its story. Not only did Lagertha lie about the length of her relations with Rollo, but when she realized Rollo could've been Bjorn's father, she never told Ragnar. Therefore, Lagertha hurt both Bjorn and Ragnar by being deceitful about their "eldest son's" lineage.

Bjorn rejected the notion and emphasized that he was Ragnar's son

Vikings kept dropping hints that Rollo could be Bjorn's father throughout the series, and it continued after Ragnar's death. It is very likely Rollo is Bjorn's father, but that didn't matter when he approached Bjorn about it. Bjorn accepted Ragnar as his dad, and when Rollo told Bjorn the truth and asked if he would come with him, Bjorn rejected the notion and emphasized that he was Ragnar's son, regardless of the possibilities.

Lagertha Chose Her Best Interest Over Her Son's

When Lagertha left Ragnar, she took her son with her. Over time, though, she made a series of choices that were better for her life and her goals than his. For example, after they left Ragnar, Lagertha chose to marry a nearby Jarl named Earl Sigvard, instead of starting a life of their own. Trying to keep herself in power, she put her son in a situation with an abusive stepfather and social misery. Lagertha's decision resulted in Earl humiliating Bjorn so much that the boy wanted to run away and leave.

Bjorn stuck around because Ragnar asked him to take care of his mother. Leaving Njorn in this abusive situation was a mistake for Lagertha and it left Ragnar in a position to only watch as Bjorn lived in misery. It wasn't until his step-father died that he had a better shot at happiness, but he still took the first chance to live at Kattegat with his father and brothers instead. He probably would've grown up happier figuring out things in a meager life with his mother.

Lagertha Had A Relationship With Rollo

The first Lothbrok to love Lagertha was Rollo, the fierce bear of a Viking. However, when Ragnar came into the picture, he whisked her away and married her. It's clear, though, that Lagertha wasn't quite forward about the depth of her relationship with Rollo. It wasn't just a flirtation; the two were deeply enmeshed and spent a lot of intimate time together before she chose Ragnar. Perhaps, even, for a little longer after Ragnar chose her.

This was a case where Lagertha hurt both Ragnar and Rollo

While Lagertha had every right to date whoever she wanted, Ragnar probably should've understood her relationship with Rollo better and all the possibilities that came with it. This includes the fact that Rollo might be Bjorn's father and not Ragnar. This played out later in the show when Rollo approached Bjorn with this news. However, by this time, he couldn't change Bjorn's mind about his parentage or his feelings about his father. This was a case where Lagertha hurt both Ragnar and Rollo.

Lagertha Ended Aslaug's Reign And Life

this murder happened just one episode before Ragnar himself died

While Ragnar spent most of his time away from Kattegat, he left his wife, Princess Aslaug, to care for the village and lands. Her diplomatic and managerial ways worked very well for the place, but as the years went on, she became more and more despondent, lonely, and troubled. Maybe Lagertha did Kattegat a favor by killing Aslaug and taking over her reign. However, she still killed the mother of Ragnar's sons, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd “Snake in the Eye,” and Ivar “the Boneless.”

Plus, this murder happened just one episode before Ragnar himself died. What was bad was that Lagertha killed Aslaug in a cowardly and dishonest manner. Aslaug promised her sons wouldn't seek revenge if Lagertha allowed her safe age to leave. Lagertha agreed and then shot Aslaug in the back with an arrow, killing her as she walked away.

Worst Things Ragnar Did To Lagertha

Ragnar Got Their Farm Pillaged

Before Ragnar's ambition and prophetic dreams got in the way of their marriage, he and Lagertha lived happily on their farm. Lagertha even laments losing that time of their lives in later seasons. However, Ragnar's ambition ruined their happy lives together. His expeditions to England threatened the Jarl, and he felt so threatened by Ragnar's confidence and adventures that he pillaged their farms. If he hadn't kept pushing for pillaging across the sea, they could have lived happy lives as farmers.

Instead, he slowly tore them apart, and it all started by getting their beloved farm destroyed. Since Ragnar and Lagertha had the perfect life that many Vikings dream of on their farm, it was his selfish nature that led him to take actions that did nothing but hurt those around him. This included his need to keep waging war even when the results just hurt, and often killed, those people who ed him.

Ragnar Cheated On Lagertha

For true fans of the series, it's clear that Lagertha is the woman Ragnar loved most. Despite that, Ragnar was traveling between Kattegat and Götaland to resolve a land dispute when he met a self-named Princess and was attracted to her. He walked in on her bathing and she demanded an apology, to which he responded with a riddle. Aslaug seemed impressed and, eventually, the two of them slept together.

Even though he only slept with Aslaug once, he impregnated her, and it destroyed his marriage. Lagertha might have even forgiven the infidelity, considering their open bed policy and the fact it only happened once. But instead, he had to try to marry Aslaug which ruined Lagertha's life and changed her destiny, forever. There was one other problem with this moment. Bjorn knew that Ragnar cheated on Lagertha, and he set out to fight his father in anger, helping further damage their relationship.

Ragnar Abandoned His Family In Kattegat

The second he became Jarl of Kattegat, Ragnar left his family and the village to fend for itself. Lucky for him, Lagertha knew how to rule over people, but he left a pregnant woman, forcing her to oversee so much during an already tough part of her life. Lagertha is a strong, independent lady, but he didn't need to leave right then when she was pregnant with one of his heirs. Instead, Ragnar departed, and they had to figure out everything without him.

It's no surprise they suffered through some infighting, tragedy, and plague with half the village gone. Ragnar should have cared for his family - and his people - before he tended after his ambition, but he didn't. This also showed how poor of a leader Ragnar was, despite his skills as a great warrior. He did many things that hurt his people, and he rarely kept his city and his family safe from attacks.

Ragnar Put Bjorn In Danger

Even though Ragnar's encouragement in combat helped make Bjorn the great warrior he became, he also willingly put Bjorn in danger. Instead of trying to keep his son safer, even in his earliest days, Ragnar often put his young son on the front lines. Understandably, Lagertha wasn't ive of that. After all, her son had barely fought in real battle scenarios before being thrust into real danger.

Bjorn could've easily been slain in his first battle

Things went well in the end, but Bjorn could've easily been slain in his first battle, the way Ragnar sent him out there \with little to no preparation. They may be Vikings, but Ragnar could've been more careful with his son. Of course, there was also the fact that Ragnar seemed to know there was doubt about Bjorn's parentage. Maybe he believed that Rollo was his son's father, and by sending Bjorn to the front lines, he could either see him become a tough warrior or die trying.

Ragnar Destroyed Their Marriage

Of all the bad things Ragnar and Lagertha did to each other, they often found the strength to forgive each other. Their bond as warriors and friends always came first. That is, except in the case of their marriage. Ragnar choosing Aslaug and her child over Lagertha tore the couple apart irreparably. Ragnar started the series in love with his bride, and they seemed to have the perfect life. It didn't take long for him to destroy it all with one of the worst things he could do.

They could handle being friends, but Ragnar broke Lagertha's heart for the rest of her life, even if she still loved him. She was never capable of loving someone as she loved him ever again. No wonder that, no matter how they felt or ed one another, their relationship always suffered from that moment on. They did share one last kiss before Ragnar left the last time, but their relationship could have been so much more on Vikings if he had not betrayed her trust and love.