A VIKING re-enactor called Ragnar the Mighty Warrior, who has died aged 35, was honoured by dozens of fellow enthusiasts today when his funeral was staged at a packed York Crematorium.

Nathan Wade, of Stamford Bridge, who was known as Ragnar through his work for more than a decade at the Jorvik Viking Centre and also in Viking re-enactments all over the country, died last month after a 19-month battle against cancer.

Members of his York re-enactment society, Volsung Vikings, processed in full costume in front of the hearse as it wound its way through the crematorium grounds at Bishopthorpe. Then they formed a guard of honour at the entrance, with swords raised, as his coffin was carried inside.

Group leader Thorstene Oxleg, or Andy Mckie, said: “We just wanted to pay homage to a fallen comrade.”

Dozens of colleagues from the Jorvik centre and other re-enactment groups from around the country also attended.

Humanist celebrant Sharon Kent said the ‘big strapping warrior king’ had died at St Leonard’s Hospice with his family around him and his sword in his hand,’vanquished by the terrible scourge that had blighted him for some 19 months.’

She said: “Ragnar left strict instructions that he was to be dressed in his Viking regalia with his sword by his side. His ashes will be scattered in the sea by his family later this year. Very appropriate for a Viking!”

She said the service was intended to celebrate Ragnar’s life in an upbeat and positive way, because that was what the Mighty Warrior would have wanted.

She revealed that after leaving Woldgate School in Pocklington, he had written so many times to the Jorvik Viking Centre to apply for a position that they ‘eventually capitulated’ and gave him a chance.

“I mean, anyone that dedicated couldn’t be that bad, could they?

“His friends and family soon recognised that Ragnar was in his element; he loved his work and put every single ounce of his energy into it, making a huge effort to say hello in different languages so that visitors would feel welcome.

“I think you will all agree... that employing Ragnar was the shrewdest move they could have made.”

She said he was diagnosed in May 2015 as having cancer of a kidney, which later spread to a lung and was aggressive and inoperable, but he refused to let it diminish him and battled hard not to let it take over his life.

“He succeeded for a long time, retaining his wicked sense of humour throughout, perhaps a testament to his stubbornness and strong will.”

She said that when he was told in the build-up to Christmas that he had just a short time left, his response was: “Well, that’s a bit of a bugger, I’m going to miss the new Star Wars film.”

A good friend called Fin then arranged a private viewing for him and his friends at the City Screen. “They all had a brilliant time; another special, indelible memory made of him.”