The Normans, believing this tale, which was only a stratagem devised by the quick-witted pilgrim, spared the Eternal City, and, reembarking in their vessels, sailed home.
Ragnar Lodbrok, in the mean while, had not been inactive, but had continued his adventurous career, winning numerous battles, and bringing home much plunder to enrich his kingdom and subjects.
"'I have fought battles Fifty and one Which were famous; I have wounded many men.'" _Ragnar's Sons' Saga_.
The hero's last expedition was against Ella, King of Northumberland.

From the very outset the gods seemed to have decided that Ragnar should not prove as successful as usual.

The poets tell us that they even sent the Valkyrs (battle maidens of northern mythology) to warn him of his coming defeat, and to tell him of the bliss awaiting him in Valhalla.
"'Regner! tell thy fair-hair'd bride She must slumber at thy side! Tell the brother of thy breast Even for him thy grave hath rest! Tell the raven steed which bore thee When the wild wolf fled before thee, He too with his lord must fall,-- There is room in Odin's Hall!'" MRS.

HEMANS, _Valkyriur Song_.
[Sidenote: Death of Ragnar Lodbrok.] In spite of this warning, Ragnar went on.

Owing to the magic shirt he wore, he stood unharmed in the midst of the slain long after all his brave followers had perished; and it was only after a whole day's fighting that the enemy finally succeeded in making him a prisoner.