Vikings: 10 Most Shameless Things Lagertha Ever Did

Lagertha has had quite a run on History Channel’s Vikings. She survived countless plots against her, usurped kingdoms and even outlasted many other fan-favorite characters, including Ragnar Lothbrok. While she remains to this day one of the more popular and inspiring characters on the show, it is hard to forget the more cringe-worthy moments that displayed what she was really about.

Lagertha wasn’t a saint by any stretch of the imagination. She was one of the more ruthless protagonists on the show. Basically, she was the female version of Ragnar. Like him, she did what she wanted and cast aside the consequences no matter how many lives were ruined by her actions.

10 Didn’t Tell Björn Who His Real Father Was

This could be overlooked if Rollo was some sort of deviant being who Lagertha wouldn’t want to be associated with because of his despicable acts. Yet, he ate in their house, watching as his son was raised by his brother, the same man who stole Lagertha from him in the first place.

When one truly thinks about how brokenhearted this must have made Rollo, it is no wonder that he holds such a deep resentment towards his brother. Ragnar had stolen everything from him, the love of his life, his son and even acquired fame off Rollo’s sacrifices.

9 Allowed Björn To Be Mentally and Physically Abused By Her Second Husband

When Björn chose to live with his mother after she left Ragnar, he probably imagined the two of them going back to simpler times, times when they lived off the land farming. However, Lagertha had tasted power once and she could no longer see herself going back to her humble beginnings. She sought out and married Sigvard the Earl of Hedeby.

From the beginning, the relationship was on hostile grounds as Sigvard beat Lagertha and Björn, not to mention ridiculing Björn whenever guests were around. Yet, Lagertha stood by silently, allowing her son to be abused.

8 Had An Open Marriage With Ragnar But Left Him When He Cheated

In the very first season of Vikings, it was mentioned that Ragnar and Lagertha had an open marriage. They frequently invited men and women to their bed, with Athelstan being the most notable. Yet, when Ragnar impregnated Aslaug without Lagertha knowing about the affair, she promptly decided to leave him for his philandering.

While Ragnar got what he deserved when Lagertha left him, it wasn’t that long ago that Lagertha cheated on Rollo with Ragnar. So, to say that one wrong is worse than another is a little hypocritical on Lagertha’s part.

7 Murdered A Defenseless Aslaug

In season 4, when Lagertha and Astrid attempt to overthrow Aslaug’s rule in Kattegat, Aslaug agrees to surrender under the condition that she be allowed to live and go wherever she chooses. Lagertha agrees to Aslaug’s terms but when Aslaug passes by her, Lagertha shoots her in the back with an arrow.

While Aslaug was no fan favorite by any means, her death at the hands of Lagertha in such a way was beneath Lagertha’s character. For someone who deems herself as a warrior, just to shoot her defenseless enemy in the back is beyond dishonorable.

6 Attempts To Usurp Ragnar’s Sons

No matter what one thinks of Ivar, as a man or a ruler, he is Ragnar’s son and therefore entitled to rule Kattegat. While Lagertha is an ex-wife who willingly gave up her place as Queen of Kattegat. So for her to go on about how much she loved Ragnar and wishes things would have played out differently, she has no qualms about killing his flesh and blood.

Ragnar barely even drew his last breath before she was actively warring against his children. No matter how Lagertha fans slice it, she is not only a liar but vindictive.

5 Went Into Battle Pregnant

After learning from the Seer that her womb was forever barren, Lagertha was distraught beyond words. So, when she became pregnant with Kalf’s child, her behavior towards the pregnancy was a bit confusing as she seemed to pretend that she wasn’t even pregnant at all.

While pregnant and going into battle, she tells Ragnar that she is unable to have more children, causing Ragnar to question the Seer’s vision. Her belief in the vision caused her to have a self-fulfilled prophecy when she eventually lost the child due to her actions.

4 Betrays Kalf’s Love

Kalf was a man who deserved little pity after initially usurping Hedeby from Lagertha. Though, as the two fought beside each other in Paris, Kalf began to believe that they could rule together. His offer was accepted by Lagertha, as she agrees to be his wife and co-ruler.

Yet, right when Kalf believes that he is about to start a family with the woman he loves, Lagertha still holding a grudge, betrays him, killing him on his wedding day. Such an act of treachery was even shady for Lagertha, especially since he offered her the power, she so desired.

3 She Locked Up Ragnar’s Sons So She Could Kill Their Mother

After usurping Aslaug in Kattegat, Lagertha knew she wouldn’t win the people’s support by killing Ragnar’s sons Ubbe and Sigurd who fought on the side of Aslaug. So, when the time comes to murder their mother, she had both beaten and locked up until the deed was done.

While they were no true allies of their mother, such an underhanded act spat on Ragnar’s memory. Especially since she would have had them murdered if her people would have allowed it. This is partly the reason both sons sought vengeance upon her once released.

2 Rapes Harald Finehair

After King Harald’s failed attempt to take Kattegat from Lagertha, he is captured and tortured by her soldiers. Lagertha seeks to have a word with him, only to learn that he has given up his ambition to rule all of Norway and only seeks to win her love.

Lagertha pulls out her knife but, instead of killing him, she rapes the tied up and beaten man. This, of course, is a controversial transgression that if roles were reversed would make Harald the ultimate villain but for some reason, Lagertha’s reputation remains unscathed from the act.

1 Mercy Kills Astrid

Some might look at the mercy killing of Astrid as an act of friendship and sacrifice but, in reality, it was the pleas of a distraught former lover who didn’t want to fight the person she loved. For all King Harald’s faults, he isn’t a monster and didn’t treat Astrid as a prisoner.

In fact, he was delighted at the fact she was having his child. So for Lagertha to just murder her friend, because her friend didn’t want to have Harald’s child seems more than cruel as there were better alternatives.

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