What disease did ivar the boneless have

He ruled over an area covering parts of modern Denmark and Swedenbut is best known for his invasion of several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, what disease did ivar the boneless have. It is possible he was adopted — a common Viking practice — perhaps as a way to ensure dynastic control. Some stories say that Ragnar learned from a seer that he would have many famous sons. Legend says that despite Aslaug warning Ragnar to wait three nights before consummating their marriage to prevent the son they conceived being born with no bones, Ragnar had been too eager.

In Vikings, Ivar suffers from brittle bone disease but as the series is a mixture of historical fact and fiction, fans are curious to know if the real Ivar suffered from the condition. Brittle Bone Disease also known as osteogenesis imperfecta, is a disorder that results in fragile bones. Ragnar had been killed by King Aella of Northumbria. After his brutal execution, they conquered York, leading to the establishment of the Danelaw. Ivar was the youngest son of Ragnar and his wife Aslaug and he was known under the name, Ivar the Boneless. The origin of his nickname is unknown, but several of the Scandinavian sagas describe Ivar as having poor bones and lacking legs. In Vikings, Ivar is regularly seen using makeshift crutches to help him walk, or crawling on the floor, pulling his legs behind him.

What disease did ivar the boneless have

I watch a LOT of television—the good, the bad, the ugly, the ableist, the superficial, and everything in between. We first connected as disabled people and fans of the bloody beautiful NBC show Hannibal. Vikings is a historical drama centered on the legendary figure Ragnar Lothbrok. I became even more invested with the introduction of his son Ivar, also known as Ivar the Boneless. As much as I appreciate disabled characters on television e. Every fan deals with this issue—love for a character or show runs strong and hard. To complicate matters, people with disabilities are routinely excluded in the entertainment industry in front and behind the camera. Non-disabled actors playing disabled characters are the norm while critics of the practice are often deemed as complainers or overly demanding. As more disabled people speak out about this lack of visibility in media and entertainment , how does a disabled person balance their affinity for entertainment that does not represent their cultures or communities with authenticity? Does it even matter? Historically, it is unclear exactly what kind of disability Ivar the Boneless had but there are theories that the Ivar had osteogenesis imperfecta aka OI or brittle bone disease among other disabilities. Here is an interview with two women with OI, Jan J. Please note: major character and plot spoilers ahead from Vikings. Jan: Epic season finale and battle, and shocking exit for Sigurd by Ivar!

Also, there are actors with OI who are better suited for these roles — why are not networks and directors doing the work needed to find and hire them, and thus, employing and supporting disabled actors?

However, this is not sure to be historically accurate. The origin of the nickname is not certain. According to the Tale of Ragnar Lodbrok , Ivar's bonelessness was the result of a curse. Aslaug suggested that she and her husband wait for three nights before consummating their marriage after a long separation while he was in England raiding. However, Ragnar was passionate after such a long separation and did not heed her words. As a result, Ivar was born with weak bones. Another hypothesis is that he was actually known as "the Hated", which in Latin would be Exosus.

He was considered to be the wisest, strongest and most skillful of warriors; in fact, despite an inability to walk, he led raiding conquests across Northern Europe… The mind of Ivar was considered a much stronger weapon than those swords and shields carried by other Vikings. Bakhtawar Jamil explains. The disease is a dominant congenital disorder that causes the bones to become extremely fragile and is most frequently caused by a defect in the gene that produces collagen, an important building block of bone. Knud Seedorf wrote of his theory:. Of historical personages the author knows of only one of whom we have a vague suspicion that he Ivar suffered from osteogenesis imperfecta. He is reported to have had legs as soft as cartilage lacking bones , so that he was unable to walk and had to be carried about on a shield. There are less extreme forms of this disease where the person affected can lack use of their legs, but be otherwise normal, as was probably the case for Ivar the Boneless.

What disease did ivar the boneless have

He ruled over an area covering parts of modern Denmark and Sweden , but is best known for his invasion of several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. It is possible he was adopted — a common Viking practice — perhaps as a way to ensure dynastic control. Some stories say that Ragnar learned from a seer that he would have many famous sons. Legend says that despite Aslaug warning Ragnar to wait three nights before consummating their marriage to prevent the son they conceived being born with no bones, Ragnar had been too eager. However, we know he had a reputation as a fearsome warrior. Interestingly, the Gesta Danorum makes no mention of Ivar being boneless either. According to the Norse sagas, Ivar is often depicted as leading his brothers into battle whilst carried on a shield, wielding a bow.

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I feel he has made his own mark in brilliantly figuring out how to fight alongside his brothers and rivals despite his disability. World History Encyclopedia. Seeing how Ivar protects himself and his body is what I am looking to see more of, and how his need for safety is or is not reality being the environment he lives in. Due to this disease, Ivar is crippled and effectively ostracized from society. Ivar used to ask his brothers how blue his eyes were first thing in the morning to determine if it was safe to play that day. Download as PDF Printable version. Ivar the Boneless is a young Viking warrior wearing a brown shirt. Legend says that despite Aslaug warning Ragnar to wait three nights before consummating their marriage to prevent the son they conceived being born with no bones, Ragnar had been too eager. It has become quite apparent to me that the US and UK are doing a much better job at casting disabled actors and writing disabled characters, much more than my own native Canada. Sadly, the disabled community is often forgotten and passed over it seems, when casting and writing disabled characters. It could change his relationships with his remaining brothers in the sense that they maybe will no longer underestimate Ivar, and perhaps Ubbe especially will become somewhat indifferent to him. Ivar the Boneless was a real Viking leader who is said to have suffered from the same disease as depicted in the television series. But watching the last couple of episodes, I was happy to see Ivar be such a strong character despite the cripping up role. He comes into his own on the field of battle with his brothers.

The main antagonist in Vikings , Ivar the Boneless, met his fate in the final episode, but how did Ivar the Boneless die, and how does his death in Vikings compare to the end of the real Ivar the Boneless? Ivar the Boneless' death and real life inspiration are examples of how Vikings loosely interprets history.

Vilissa Thompson is a macro-minded social worker from South Carolina. I do know people with OI who do fracture easily, and have written about their frustrations in being in constant pain due to fractures and the way OI has manifested. London: Allan Lane. Vilissa: The cripping up role is hard for me to get over, especially since I think an actor with OI could have, and should have, been casted. Ivar is just as much of a man as his brothers, and I see him demanding to be viewed in such a manner when he is vicious or angry. Whether the real Ivar the Boneless suffered from brittle bone disease remains unknown. Vilissa: I remember the people in my life who ensured that I had the resources and supports needed so that I could thrive and grow, especially in my childhood years. Viking Empires First ed. Whilst this could indicate he may have been lame, at the time, leaders were sometimes borne on the shields of their enemies after victory. Close Menu Overlay. If those interactions were not authentically displayed, I would not like it. However, that anger does not give anyone the right to do horrible things to others — that is not a healthy way to handle yourself, even when it comes to your body. I have had less than 20 fractures in my life, and have had rodding surgeries that gave me the ability to walk. Ivar the Boneless is a young Viking warrior with short dark hair.