Bjorn Ironside is played by Alexander Ludwig (Image: GETTY/HISTORY)

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Vikings, the historical drama is inspired by the sagas of Viking King Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons, will return of the sixth and final season. Canadian actor Alexander Ludwig portrays Lothbrok’s son Björn Ironside in Vikings. And as fans await the return of season 6, Express.co.uk brings you all you need to know about who Björn Ironside was and what happened to him.

Was Bjorn Ironside real?

Björn Ironside was a real person - he was, in fact, a Norseman and Viking Chief who lived during the 9th century.

Ironside is thought to be the son of Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel), the legendary King of Sweden.

The story of Bjorn Ironside and his brothers, Hvitserk, Ivar the Boneless (Alexander Hogh Andersen)and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye (David Lindström) are mainly told in the Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, an old Norse story written in the 14th century.

The Tale of Ragnar’s Sons combines legend, myth and some historical fact, so what we know about Ironside and his family may not be entirely accurate.

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Bjorn Ironside is played by Alexander Ludwig (Image: HISTORY)

Ironside was a powerful naval commander, particularly active around the years 855 and 858 according to the medical sources Annales Bertiniani and Chronicon Fontanellense.

Ironside left Denmark and ravaged West Francia and later Paris, France with his Viking army.

Frankish, Arab and Irish sources mention Ironside participating in raids in the Mediterranean between 859 and 861, before invading the south of France

Ironside and his brothers also pillaged England, Normandy, France, Lombardy and Luna in Italy before returning to Scandinavia.

Upon their return, they divided the Scandinavian kingdom, and Ironside ruled Uppsala and Sweden.

In Vikings the TV series, Ironside is portrayed as the eldest son of Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and Lothbrok - which is not historically accurate.

According to Vikings literature and medieval sources, Ironside is thought to be the son of Asluag (Alyssa Sutherland), Ragnar Lothbrok’s third wife.

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Alexander Ludwig (Image: GETTY)

How did Bjorn Ironside die?

Bjorn Ironside was a legendary king of Sweden and is thought to be the first ruler of the Munso dynasty.

Bjorn did not die in battle and it is thought he may have died of old age or illness.

However, he did come close to death on his return to the Straits of Gibraltar, where he and his men were met with ships from Al-Andalus.

In this battle, Bjorn lost 40 ships but later returned to Scandinavia where he died a rich man.

Details of Ironside’s wives to not feature in any of the medieval sources.

The 13th-century work Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks mentions two children belonging to Ironside - Erik and Refil.

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Alexander Ludwig and Vikings co-star Katheryn Winnick (Image: GETTY)

Alexander Ludwig and Vikings co-star Katheryn Winnick who plays Bjorns mother Lagertha (Image: GETTY)

In the Hervarar saga, Eirik ruled Sweden after his father’s death and was then succeeded by Refil’s son, who was also named Eirik.

At the moment it is unknown how Ironside will die in Vikings.

The show deviates from the historical literature so it will all depend on what show creator Michael Hirst has planned for Ironside.

Vikings season 6 is streaming on Amazon Prime now

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