Sigurd Eysteinsson’s Enemy Had The Last Bite
Sigurd Eysteinsson was a prominent Viking leader, who ruled Scotland’s Orkey Islands in the late 9th century.
He was a fierce warrior, who battled his way into the Scottish mainland.
Sigurd soon made a name for himself as the leader of the Viking conquest of modern-day northern Scotland, earning him the nickname Sigurd the Mighty.
Keeping control of mainland Scotland was no easy feat, and he was soon challenged by a Pictish chieftain known as Máel Brigte the Bucktoothed.
Tired of Sigurd’s raids, he proposed an honorable 40-man-per-side battle.
The treacherous Sigurd the Mighty showed up with 80 men.
The obvious advantage meant that he easily defeated Máel Brigte, massacred his opposition and b-headed their leader.
Eysteinsson attached Máel Brigte’s head to his saddle as he fled the battlefield.
But….
The severed head of Máel Brigte got the last bite!
While many scenarios may cross your mind when imagining the death of a mighty Viking warrior – the death of Sigurd the Mighty is definitely not one of them.
Unfortunately, the motion of his horse’s galloping, caused one of the long teeth on Máel Brigte severed head, to scratch Eysteinsson’s leg.
The wound soon became horribly infected, which ultimately led to the Viking’s untimely death!
👀 Sigurd the Mighty is said to have been killed by a severed head.
Picture credit- Nomad_Soul
