ROLLO LOTHBROCK (HROLF GANGER): BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY IN VIKINGS - ARTE - 2025

Rollo Lothbrock is a character in the television series Vikings produced by the History network. It is based on a historical character named Hrolf Ganger (846-932), also known as Rollón el Errante or Rollón el Caminante; was a Norwegian caudillo, considered the first Duke of Normandy. He stood out for his imposing figure of more than two meters and a huge weight of 140 kg.

He was the leader of a group of Danes and Norwegians who were engaged in pillage in the North Seas. Being exiled from Norway, he led expeditions to Flanders, England and Scotland. His objective was not, like other Vikings, to besiege the lands where he arrived and loot them, but rather he preferred to find good land to settle.

Rollo, Duke of Normandy. Source: Brams

Biography of the Historical Scroll

Family

Hrolf Ganger was born in 846. As for the place of birth it is not certain, because writers like Dudo de San Quentín affirmed that it was Danish; however, this name is generally used for all those inhabitants of Scandinavia. Authors such as William de Malmesbury claimed that he was Norwegian, of noble origin. His father was Count Rognvald Eyteinsson.

Poppa de Bayeux was considered the wife and lover of Rollon the Wayfarer, and who turned the Duchy of Normandy into a renowned medieval fiefdom. Rollón's other wife, Gisela of France, also met, a marriage that was part of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, which was made to protect the kingdom of Neustria from Viking invasions. With Poppa de Bayeux she had two children, William I of Normandy and Gerloc orosition Adela.

Presence in France

Rollón the Wanderer commanded the Viking fleet that entered France around 885. It is not an exact date, but what is clear is his presence in this kingdom, as there is a letter in which Carlos the Simple, king of the Carolingian dynasty, grants him some lands. The Viking siege was such after Rollon took Chartres in 911 that it ended this cession by the king.

Loyalty to the king

He later swore allegiance to the king and married Gisela. The tradition of loyalty demanded that Rollon should bow before his majesty and kiss his feet. Rollón could not humble himself and demanded that one of his subordinates do so, but what he did was lift him up so that he would then crash to the ground.

Rollón was later baptized as a Christian, putting aside his paganism. Then he took Poppa de Bayoux as his wife (polygamy was common in Viking society), whom he murdered during the taking of the city.

Death

Hrolf Ganger extended his territory to the Vire River, one of Normandy's coastal rivers. He gave the throne to his son William I of Normandy (this was the name that William Long Sword, as his son was originally called, adopted as king).

It is said that Rollón may have lived a few more years after his son took the reins of power. In any case, his death was in Rouen in 932, although other sources also mention the year 933. His tomb can be visited today in the cathedral of Rouen.

Rollo Lothbrock in the Vikings series

Rollo in the Vikings series is the brother of Ragnar Lothbrock and Gisela's husband, as well as being the Normandy dike. He has three children, William, Marcellus and Cielsa. Rollo is a Viking feared by many, with great internal struggles and quite impulsive when it comes to acting.

-Season 1

The first time Rollo appears in the series, he is accompanying his brother Ragnar to attack England. The attraction he feels for Lathgertha, his brother's wife, is also known; he doesn't know why she preferred Ragnar over him.

In the monastery of Lindisfarme

In another episode Rollo can be seen with his brother at the Lindisfarme monastery in the Northumbrian kingdom. Ragnar is with Athelstan, who will later have the difficult task of converting to paganism, or at least trying. Rollo wants to kill Athelstan but Ragnar stops him; tells him that it is much more useful to have him alive.

Invade Hexam

In this chapter Earl Haraldson authorizes the Vikings to a new incursion in the kingdom of Northumbria. Thus, the Lothbrock brothers and the rest of the crew disembark and see that there are a few Anglo-Saxons who receive them.

Rollo says they must kill them. In the chapter "Judgment", and after leaving the desolate beaches full of blood, the Vikings decide to raid Hexam, in order to sow panic in its inhabitants.

Ragnar kills Earl Haraldson

In a trial against Ragnar, Rollo is tried to bribe the count but in vain, as Ragnar is finally acquitted with the support of his brother. Later Rollo is tortured by Haraldson. Ragnar challenges the count to a duel and assassinates him.

Then Svein, one of the closest to the count, orders the assassination of Ragnar, but Rollo prevents it and enjoys when he kills him with an ax, since that subject had been the one who had inflicted all kinds of torture with his hands. After this fight, Rollo does not hold a grudge against Haraldson's daughter and wife.

Deal with Aelle

Negotiations with King Aelle of Northumbria come later. Ragnar and the Vikings have captured the king's brother and are demanding a ransom. Aelle accepts the deal but someone of them must convert to Christianity. This is taken by everyone as a joke, although Rollo offers to do it to the amazement of the others.

Christening of Rollo

In this way comes the christening of Rollo, who does not take it as seriously as it seems. It is Floki who is offended, believing that they are going against their pagan principles and attacking their gods. Later in an ambush, Rollo kills several Christians and brags about it to Floki.

The Vikings go on a pilgrimage to Uppsala, where the festivities will take place. Rollo takes the opportunity to drink, celebrate big, and have sex with other women, a matter that makes Siggy quite uncomfortable. Rollo reproaches him for having abandoned him and tells him that he is irresponsible, because at that moment Ragnar is negotiating with Horik and he is not present.

Face to face with Ragnar

After he battles his brother Ragnar, he fights in which he injures Floki and kills Arne. He feels guilty for the latter's death, since he had previously been one of his comrades.

When the time comes to confront the brothers, they are unable to harm themselves. Later Rollo will be taken captive for the betrayal of Kattegat. Although the people ask for his death, it is not executed. He then apologizes to Ragnar and, humiliated, leaves Kattegat.

Roll decline

Rollo suffers a decline, he is seen alone and isolated. Horik and Borg arrive in Kattegat to plan another foray into England with Ragnar. Rollo is present but will not be taken into account to go on the expedition.

Rollo will play an important role in the defense of Kattegat, against the attacks of Borg, who has not gone to the invasion of England either. Borg's attack is very strong and Rollo must evacuate Lathgertha and her children and get them out of Kattegat. Upon Ragnar's return, he advises him and asks him not to attack Borg as they have few warriors.

-Season 3

In this season Rollo travels with his brother to claim the lands in Wessex. Then he will be part of the joint force that will fight for Princess Kwenthrith. Rollo and Thorstein consume hallucinogenic mushrooms and attempt to flirt with the princess, but she will refuse.

At the Viking camp in Wessex, Rollo is talking to Prince Aethelwulf. Floki rebukes him and tells him that finally the Christian baptism has influenced him, because now he can be friends with them, the Christians. He is later seen saddened by Siggy's death.

Rollo's future

Rollo consults the seer with concern, he feels useless, he wants to die, although he tells him that he should not worry about anything, because destiny has interesting things in store for him.

The assault on Paris arrives and Vikings and Christians prepare for it. It is Rollo who encourages the troops and yells at him to encourage them to fight. After a failed maneuver on a ladder he falls into the water and appears to have died.

-Season 4

Rollo is married to Princess Gisla, but the wedding was against her will. Later they are in bed and she does not want to have sex with Rollo. He will later scoff because he tries to assassinate him with a dagger. Rollo goes to the camp on the outskirts of Paris and, at a signal from him, the Vikings wipe out everything, including men, women and children.

Then his wife, father-in-law and Rollo are seated at the table. She hates him and curses him, throws him a glass of wine. Rollo comes out disgusted. They later reconcile and Gisla and Rollo are seen having sex even at a Christmas party.

-Season 5

Rollo sends troops to Ivar, Harald, and Hvitserk in order to aid them in the fight against Lathgertha.

References

1. Biographies.es (sf). Roll. Biography of Rollo. Recovered from biografias.es
2. Carvajal, G. (2016). The true story of Rollo, the Viking from whom all current European monarchs are descended. Recovered from labrujulaverde.com
3. FANDOM (sf). Roll. Recovered from vikings.fandom.com
4. JR (2018). Rollo, the true story of the key character from the last season of "Vikings." Recovered from elconfidencial.com
5. Magazine History (2016). Hrolf Ganger the Viking who became Duke of Normandy. Recovered from es.historia.com
6. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2016). Roll. Duke of Normandy. Recovered from britannica.com