Lagertha, legendary Norse shieldmaiden

Lagertha's tale is recorded in passages in the 12th-century text, the Gesta Danorum, a work of Danish history by the Christian historian Saxo Grammaticus. 

He wrote that "Ladgerda, a skilled Amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. All marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back betrayed that she was a woman."

Her name is variously written as Lathgertha, Ladgertha, Lathgerda and other forms, all  derived from the Old Norse original Hlaðgerðr, otherwise Hlathgerth.

There is no historical evidence for Lagertha, although Saxo records that she was married to the equally legendary Ragnarr Loðbrók, i.e. Ragnar Hairy Breeches, also written as Ragnar Lodbrok or Lothbrok. Saxo records that, ultimately, Lagertha slew her husband and ruled alone in his stead. However, Ragnar was also supposedly captured by King Ælla of Northumbria, who had him thrown into a pit of snakes, where he perished.

Ragnar had sons who are attested historically, but his own existence is rather debatable.

Anyway, on to Lagertha. This figure is from Bad Squiddo, and comes in a blister pack with a mounted Lagertha, who I will be using as the commander of my mounted shieldmaidens, when I get round to painting them.

So, here is the dismounted version. I have kept my palette quite simple here and it is not dissimilar to the way the figure is painted on the Bad Squiddo website.

Her shield design is a triquetra, somewhat similar to a pagan Norse valknut (which is more usually seen as three interlocking triangles). It is also similar to a simplified Thor's Hammer motif.

Lagertha is going to be part of my Shieldmaiden army, whether that is for Dragon Rampant, Saga or Saga: Age of Magic.