Work Text:
Rolf Arngrimsson went to England in 877 as a trader following the invasion of the Great Heathen Army.
A Dane, Rolf found lodging in Danish held Mercia in the city of Tamworth where he tried selling his wares, but met with little success.
Trading his shop for a battle axe Rolf earned a reputation for himself quickly, but with this battle fame came disfigurement.
His horrible scars made it nearly impossible for Arngrimsson to find a wife the conventional way.
Sensing he needed wealth to attract a partner Rolf went on several Viking expeditions to Francia, sacking churches for their treasures and capturing men and women to sell back in Tamworth's markets as slaves.
He grew rich from this and soon flaunted his wealth, attracting Valdis Ericsdottir to him, daughter of a prominent Danish Chieftain in the city, whom he married.
Valdis, materialistic and vain, burned through her husband's money within a year, leaving Rolf severely in debt.
Unable to pay and furious, Rolf attacked Valdis one night, hacking off her head in three great swings of his axe.
He took the severed head and mounted it on his wall.
This event gave rise to the old saying 'trophy wife,' though the meaning certainly evolved over time.
As for Rolf?
Found guilty of murder he was beheaded in Tamworth's market by his father in law, his one year old son Ivarr being adopted by his grandparents afterwards.