Raud the Strong

Raud the Strong was a Norse chieftain, blót practitioner and seafaring warrior, who resisted conversion to Christianity in the late 10th century AD, described in Heimskringla.

One of the most famous incidents of recalcitrance to Olaf's attempts at coerced conversion to Christianity, according to the Sagas, is that of Raud the Strong.

Raud the Strong was a large landowner, described as an eager practitioner of the Norse pagan sacrifice ritual blót, and a sea-farer.

The ship was called “The Dragon” or “The Serpent.” Raud the Strong, who also had the reputation of being a wizard, was defeated by Olaf in a sea battle.

Using that as a model, he is said to have built his bigger famed ship Ormrinn langi, which he was using at the Battle of Svolder where he was defeated and by many sources presumed to have died.