Vikings
Summary
Vikingsis one of the most celebrated full stop dramas of the last decade , and as much as it ’s known for its historical truth , it ’s also made several change to real outcome beleaguer Ragnar Lodbrok , Viking society , and the wider worldly concern during the sullen eld . debut in 2013 on the History Channel , Vikingstries to be historically precise as possible . However , its accuracy has make out into question more than once . After all , it ’s hard to take the air the line between objective history and interesting , well - hang narrative . The facts always seem to tweak a little whenever the two mix .
The world ofVikingscontinued to expand with the continuation seriesVikings : Valhalla . While the originalVikingsseries focused on the mythical Ragnar Lodbrok and the upgrade of Vikings as one of the dominant forces in Northern Europe , Vikings : Valhallaexplores the close of the Viking age . Both series do their best to incorporate historical Viking truth and truth as much as possible . However , both series also twist the verity of account to become their narrative , as is true with most diachronic fabrication , whether it be in film or television .
The History Channel ’s , Vikings , is one of the most successful historic drama on boob tube , but not every time of year of this iconic show is adequate .
What’s Historically Accurate In Vikings
How Viking Society And Culture Is Portrayed
Vikingsis full of many historically inaccurate minute , especially when it come to the portrait of certain part and primal events . However , when regard from a all-embracing perspective , its portrayal of Viking culture is amazingly precise . This is somewhat unsurprising given that the first season debuted on The History Channel , a internet known mostly for documentaries , butthe inscription to portraying the foundations of Viking society as true - to - historical accounts as potential is still somethingVikingshas been justifiedly praise for .
Aspects of the show such as how the Vikings handle slaves , their dedication to raiding and exploration for reasons beyond the typical bloodlust Hollywood portrays them as possess , and their family line and leadership structure were all the mathematical product of intensive diachronic research . While there were some liberty take when it comes to , for case , a few of the specific faith - based practices of Ragnar Lothbrok and the otherVikingscharacters , the show still did an admirable job of portraying their day - to - day live dependably to historical records .
The Siege Of Paris Really Happened
Of all the epic battle inVikings , the Siege of Paris in time of year 3 was by far one of the most spectacular . However , of all the engagement in the show , it ’s also one that many presume was made up . It ’s easy to see why — Paris is an instantly recognisable location , and having a medieval conflict there between the famed Norse warriors and the armies of West Francia created a great narrative talk point . What ’s more , most studies of Viking history be given to focalise on their body process in Scandanavia and England rather than France . However , the Siege of Paris was a real struggle , and actual - life Vikings did indeed lie military blockade to the noted French metropolis just asVikingsdepicted .
Vikingsdid commute a few details , such as the meter - frame ( the real siege happen in 845 rather than 804 , as the show render ) , but the overall nature of the siege was completely exact . This is even true to the power point that one of the figures many historians believed contribute to the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok ( namely the Norse chieftain Reginherus ) was present at the real siege .
While Reginherus , one of the many historical figures that could have been Ragnar Lothbrok , did n’t sign up an illness after the siege likeRagnar did inVikings , many existent Viking warrior did succumb to the infestation following the historic Siege of Paris .
Rollo’s Personality
Though a savage warrior , Rollo was be intimate by history to be an tearaway , envious serviceman . As the first Duke of Normandy , he left behind some of his old life history to meld substantially with other Anglo - Saxon cultures . However , it is historically unconfirmed if he was a Viking in origin . The material Rollo did a good job of cover up his past , and detail of his former life have after been lost to the chronological record of clip . A conqueror and loss leader , he led Normandy his own , brutish way .
The real Rollo of Normandy die between 928 and 933 , and while there is dispute among historians , it ’s generally accept he was born somewhere in Scandinavia .
The real Rollo of Normandy pall between 928 and 933 , and while there is conflict among historians , it ’s more often than not accepted he was born somewhere in Scandinavia . One thingVikingsgot rightfield was his brutality , and his family survived many generations in exponent only because of their fiercely militaristic and ruthless nature . As far as equate history andVikingsgoes , the floor seems to have his personality , even if they altered some serious facts about his heritage .
Vikings is a historical drama series created for the History Channel by Michael Hirst. Based on stories passed down in Norse lore, the series focuses on the Lodbrok family and their lives during medieval Scandinavia. The family is formally established by the rise of Ragnar Lodbrok, a farmer turned Viking who rises to power as a Scandinavian King.
The Viking Aesthetic
Though the show decidedly dolls up its characters to look as attractive and interesting as possible , the Viking tone they give them is n’t false . Vikings truly give themselves black - eye rouge and favor matted , pleated hairstyles . They reveled in looking rough and risky , even if their tactics could be much more organized . Or , in some cases , just as baseless as they looked .
They may have had few rules of combat and each group had their own unique laws and custom , they remained strong and had a cohesive acculturation that pervade throughout the various folk and settlements .
Viking believed in looser societal pattern and heating system - of - the - present moment engagement . They may have had few rules of combat and each group had their own unparalleled laws and custom , they remained strong and had a cohesive civilisation that permeated throughout the various clan and settlements . They could intimidate any opposition with center makeup like that , and this aspect is one thing inVikingsthat was incredibly exact to account .
Ragnar’s Sons
Though Ragnar is near mythological , and almost all details of his life history are debated by historians , none of his Word are . All of his sons are taken from real warriors and leaders of history . Though none of them can be support as his real boy , they a made a heavy impact during their lifespan , somethingVikingsportrayed accurately . Bjorn Ironside was a literal Swedish Viking tribal chief who spearhead a Swedish purple dynasty . Ivar The Boneless and Ubbe invaded England . Sigurd became King of Denmark .
All of these men ’s epithet were included in certain tales of Ragnar ’s sons .
All of these men ’s public figure were include in sealed tales of Ragnar ’s sons . So , while it ’s unconfirmed , it ’s not impossible that they were indeed his Son . Regardless of their parentage , most all of these sons were real Vikings , andmany of whom became great kingsthat avail shape and alter Europe .
Viking is an awesome drama series with some sincerely unbelievable storyline . These are the best throughout the series .
Women Warriors
Whether char had as prevalenta place in society asVikingsportrayed is a second complicated , because the oecumenical answer is yes . hard , warrior woman were real in Viking finish . However , they still were n’t as involved to the extentVikingsportrays it . meet to modernistic sensibilities , Lagertha is present as an intimidate warrior and loss leader . The truth however , is that any real shield - maiden over were very few and far between . Moreover , they were seldom given much power in the military . At good , they were just superfluous forces .
Overall , adult female had more freedoms and could push in warfare , but it ’s doubtful any of them were as sinewy , free , or adept in battle as Lagertha .
More commonly , women were trained with a blade and shield to defend their homes or bring together the work force in war only for dire situation . Overall , women had more exemption and could struggle in wars , but it ’s doubtful any of them were as powerful , free , or adept in battle as Lagertha .
No Horned Helmets
It ’s a common misconception that real Vikings wore horned helmets . Various depictions in cinema and games likeSkyrimreally skewed a lot of multitude ’s melodic theme of Norsemen , thinking they all put on horn helmets and yelled things . While it seems they did yell a mountain , Vikingsput the disk straight by keeping their characters desolate of helmets . The depictions of Vikings with horned helmet did n’t derive until much later , in painting and potrayals created century after the Norse warriors had dwindled into ancientness .
It ’s impressive thatVikingsdoes its best to at least preserve the honest esthetical , even though they play around with reference backstories and timeline a fate .
Vikings did have sure helmet they tire , but they were n’t the iconic horn ones . Between keep characters placeable and brushing off those myths , no helmets are just much wanton . Many multitude picture Vikings a sure way , and it ’s telling thatVikingsdoes its full to at least preserve the straight esthetic , even though they bring around with character backstories and timeline a stack .
What’s Historically Inaccurate About Vikings
Vikings Didn’t Call Themselves Vikings (And Neither Did Their Friends Or Foes)
Of all the diachronic inaccuracy inVikings , one of the most insidious is the use of the word " Vikings " itself . The word was n’t actually strike until the 11th C , and has been used by historians ever since as a collective term for the various groups of Scandinavian raiders and warrior that share a few common ethnic and religious trait . However , the actual Vikings themselves would never have referred to themselves as such — and neither would their various enemy and ally .
The historical Vikings would have been known by modern-day acculturation as ( among other things ) " Dani " , intend Danes , or " Normanni " , intend Northmen . The Vikings were bring up to in the Anglo - Saxon Chronicle as " weoflingas " , meaning wild man , or " wulfhereas " , which means wolf - man , which sums up the relationship between the people of England and their Norse neighbors fantastically well . How they referred to themselves would have vary from group to group , but in most historic records and sagas they seem to self - describe as " Ostmen " .
There’s No Village Of Kattegat
It ’s not only the various characters and result inVikingsthat have had liberty call for when it comes to historical accuracy . Many of the locating have also been pluck or made up entirely for the show — with the most surprising of these being the patch - centric village of Kattegat . Kattegat is an essential location inVikingsfrom the very first season . It is the home of Ragnar Lothbrok , and many of the tale arcs in the show focus on the various trials , trial , and leadership struggles of Kattegat ’s masses .
However , there is no Vikingvillage ring Kattegatin real aliveness . There is a Kattegat that live , but it ’s not a settlement , it ’s an expanse of ocean located between Sweden , Denmark , and Norway . However , it ’s easy to see whyVikingschose to create a location for its central case rather than have them start from a veridical place . The existence of Ragnar Lothbrok is still heavily debated among historian , so having claimed he get along from an existing localisation would belike have make more outlet than simply making up a fictional Viking closure .
Ragnar And Rollo’s Brotherhood
InVikings , Rollo and Ragnar are buddy . One is driven by his belief in his own immensity , while the other is driven by his jealousy and desire to find his own wideness . It ’s not easy to be the nifty Ragnar ’s brother . Ultimately , that leads to a love - hatred kinship with a portion of clashing and struggle . The fundamental interaction between the two are one of the most adorable aspect ofVikings , with the various ups - and - down feather between them driving much of the show ’s narrative .
Rollo was the Duke of Normandy , and it ’s unknown whether he was a Viking , while it ’s incertain where Ragnar existed at all .
alas , though , this cardinal relationship is all manufacture . Rollo and Ragnar were never brothers . In fact , it ’s incredibly likely that the couplet never even met . Rollo was the Duke of Normandy , and it ’s strange whether he was a Viking , while it ’s uncertain where Ragnar exist at all . At the very least , the pair were never warring Brother .
Viking introduced many unforgettable quality but which of them had the best spark throughout the serial ?
Viking Battle Style
While Viking were stronger combatant consecrate to raids , they hardly fought the traditional pitch - battle way fans are habitual to . The show sets up quite a few wars like this , one enemy standing across the bailiwick from another . However , it ’s very unlikely Vikings would ever participate in these kinds of battle . After all , they preferred raids . Not only does that mean fierce armed combat but also an constituent of surprisal . Their battle tactics are closer to guerilla style that classical rake - conflict .
Armies clashing feel much more fantastic and larger-than-life than piles of surprisal tactics and raid .
On telly , though , pitching - struggle are the standard . It ’s no surpriseVikingsdecided to favour a grander style that can really amp up a crowd . Armies clashing finger much more grand and epical than long ton of surprisal tactics and raids . Real Viking battles would likely have only featured a few dozen men , possibly a couple of century at most , and decidedly would n’t have had the highfalutin nature of the clashes bear witness inVikings .
The Timeline
Unfortunately forVikings , the most exciting events in Viking history are n’t precisely airless together . However , for the show and fan benefit , time has been scraunch to connect significant historical events into a cohesive timeline . In reality , Vikings getting to " the west " and invading England are not faithful at all , and pass century aside . There are slews , and at times C , of year between self-aggrandizing raid . Lagertha definitely should not have been able to be a Viking married woman pre - west and at the raid of Paris .
The show portrays this fourth dimension in story as much more eventful than it actually was , and the Viking expansion and eventual laterality of Europe was a much slower matter .
While it does make for great television to see buff - favored persona during all these historical events , it does think of thatmany of the storylines inVikingsare whole historically inaccurate . The show portrays this meter in history as much more eventful than it actually was , and the Viking enlargement and eventual dominance of Europe was a much dense affair .
Christian Crucifixions
During a particularly drab and terrible minute , Christians crucified Athelstan for his pool with Vikings and abandoning the faith . Though he did n’t abandon Christianity , not really , they did n’t see it that direction . Despite being a poignant , heartbreaking setting , it ’s altogether false . There ’s footling to no grounds that crucifixion was practiced by Christians in the dark age , and as a method acting of punishment it was utilized mainly by the Ancient Romans , who predated the Vikings by several centuries .
As far as narrative break , it was a powerful second for Athelstan inVikings , but historically , it ’s not accurate .
A grown part of Christian religious belief is lamenting the crucifixion of Christ . They believe forfeiture is holy . If they truly thought Athelstan to be a heathen , they would n’t do something so meaningful to him . Furthermore , Christians were n’t have a go at it for arbitrary crucifixions . As far as narrative goes , it was a powerful moment for Athelstan inVikings , but historically , it ’s not accurate .
Vikings admit plenty of massive battles - but over six time of year , which were the braggart of all ?
Ragnar’s Existence
Perhaps the superlative historical inaccuracy inVikingsis its focus on Ragnar Lothbrok who , despite being a legendary material body , may not even have subsist . Unlike his children and many other characters in the show , Ragnar Lothbrok ’s creation can not be confirm . There are well - known Norse legends of him being a herculean , influential Viking , but literal story of his real life are non - existent . For such a tiptop of Viking mythos , the fact is that it ’s more probable than not that he never subsist .
It ’s possible that Ragnar was a legendary figure amalgamated from several warriors , and substantial individual like Bjorn and Ivar take to be descended from him to add to their own reputation .
Despite the deficiency of historic fact surrounding his existence , he is such an significant fig in Viking mythology and caption do mention famous leaders such as Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless as his " sons " . It ’s potential that Ragnar was a legendary figure amalgamated from several warriors , and real mortal like Bjorn and Ivar claimed to be descended from him to add together to their own reputation . While he ’s the staple ofVikings , Ragnar ’s participation in many of the consequence in the show are more than probable fictional .
Vikings is a historic play series create for the History Channel by Michael Hirst . Based on write up occur down in Norse traditional knowledge , the serial focuses on the Lodbrok family and their life during medieval Scandinavia . The family is formally established by the rise of Ragnar Lodbrok , a Fannie Merritt Farmer turn Viking who rises to major power as a Norse King .
