Rusla, also known as the "Red Woman" fromMiddle IrishIngean Ruagh,[1] was a legendary Norwegianshield-maiden mentioned in theGesta Danorum or "History of the Danes" ofSaxo Grammaticus and in theIrish annals. According to Saxo, Rusla was the daughter of a fifth or sixth century king ofTelemark called Rieg, and sister of Tesandus (Thrond), who was dispossessed of his throne by a Danish king named Omund. Rusla formed a pirate fleet to attack all Danish ships as revenge for the affront to her brother. Rusla was always accompanied by another woman, Stikla, who was her deputy in all raids. Stikla turned to piracy to avoid marriage, and her name is the origin of the Norwegian city ofStiklestad.[2][3]
Rusla indiscriminately attacked ships and coastal towns inIceland,Denmark and theBritish Isles. However, a Danish King named Omund was a trickster king and persuaded Tesandus to side with the Danes, taking him as a foster son. This plot caused Tesandus to lose his crown. Rusla waged war on the Danes in an attempt to avenge Tesandus' loss. During this conflict, she sank Tesandus' ship. Due to the mercy of Rusla, Tesandus was able to escape with his life, but this loss caused Tesandus to desire revenge on his sister. Tesandus pursued her fleet on ships of his own and eventually captured his sister Rusla, grabbing her by the braids while his crew killed her with blows from rowing oars.[4]
Her nickname "Red Woman" comes from her bloodthirsty reputation and her custom of taking no prisoners. The Irish annals also cite Rusla and Stickla's participation in the Battle of Clontarf.[citation needed] They were part of the body of mercenaries hired by the Vikings who fought againstBrian Boru, and Rusla lost her sons on the battlefield. Rusla went down in history as the most cruel of all warrior Norse women.[5]
According to the medieval IrishCogad Gáedel re Gallaib, the sons of a woman by this name died at theBattle of Clontarf in 1014. Although it has been suggested that these two Rusla are the same woman,Alexander Bugge argued that the Irish author ofCogad Gáedel re Gallaib misinterpreted the Old English nameRodla, which refers to the VikingRollo of Normandy. The two sons who die at Clontarf are called John the Baron and Richard, which fit a Norman milieu.[6]
In the 13th centuryGesta Danorum recorded that the town ofStiklestad was named after Stikla, a shield-maiden who was most famous for raiding with Rusla. Stikla would have settled in the area at some point after her participation in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
