Vikings
Summary
Vikingshas done its good to introduce witness aroundthe world to Viking culture and Norwegian mythology , and while it has been as historically precise as possible , it has obviously changed , lend , or omitted many characters and events from the Viking age . However , there are many well - known persona that are found on real people . create by Michael Hirst , Vikingsmade its entry on History Channel in 2013.Vikingsinitially follow the journeys of fabled Norse frame Ragnar Lothbrok ( Travis Fimmel ) and his Viking brothers .
The series gradually shifted its focus to Ragnar ’s boy and their own travels , making them the protagonist , more so after Ragnar ’s death in season 4 . The series deal inspiration from the thirteenth hundred Norse sagas , since the Vikings themselves did n’t leave any written records of their travels , and the ones that exist get along years subsequently from other culture that were in link with them . This makes the diachronic truth of someVikingscharacters — most notably Ragnar — unclear . Still , there are manyVikingscharacters free-base on real multitude , though the show took several liberties with their stories .
The cast of Viking lend some of the most noted characters from Viking story to life , and many of them have become more democratic since then .
Ragnar Lothbrok
Played By Travis Fimmel
Until his death in season 4 , Ragnar was the primal fiber ofVikings . As the central bloc of the show ’s twisting narrative , it ’s unsurprising he was base on a real somebody , although saying that Ragnar was " real " is a scrap misleading . While there are many diachronic records and business relationship of Ragnar Lothbrok , the majority were written many centuries after his decease . topic are further rarify by many document Viking and Nordic magnate claiming to be his descendants , as this was seen as a symbol of status that give validation to their various title to an equally varied number of can .
modernistic historians have a consensus that Ragnar Lothbrok ( also sometimes spell out Ragnar Lodbrok ) did n’t actually live . The earliest accounts of his life arrive from Viking sagas and epic verse form , and it ’s likely that stories of his victory and victories were mingle from several different individuals and then embellished through word - of - back talk , which was how most stories and explanation of the era were told . There was a Ragnar who laid siege to Paris in 845 , so this part of his chronicle onVikingswas at least true .
King Horik Of Denmark
Played By Donal Logue
King Horik of Denmark , played by Donal Logue , was only a presence duringVikingsseasons 1 and 2 . However , he was also one of the manyVikingscharacters based on a real somebody — and to make matters more interesting , he ’s also one of several documented figures who modern historians may have inspired the saga of the life of Ragnar Lothbrok . King Horik I ( also sometimes spelled Hårik ) ruled the Danes from 813 right up until his death in 854 , though he co - ruled with his brother Harald Klak until 828 .
King Ecbert Of Wessex
Played By Linus Roache
Linus Roache’sVikingscharacter , King Ecbert , is one of several Saxon Billie Jean King in the show , and like many of them is ground on a literal individual . What ’s more , thanks to the English kingdoms generally being much better when it hail to record - keeping , more is known about Ecbert and the other Saxon kings than is know about their titulary Viking counterpart . The material King Ecbert ruled Wessex from 802 until he go bad in 839 , at which dot he was succeeded by Aethelwulf .
It ’s nameless how the real King Ecbert died , though it almost certainly was n’t by his own hand asVikingsdepicted .
The real Ecbert had several conflicts with the Vikings of Denmark , though his most significant military triumph was the licking of the kingdom of Mercia , which was annexed by Wessex . While a powerful rule , his influence began to wane in 829 when Mercia find its independence . It ’s unsung how the tangible King Ecbert died , though it almost certainly was n’t by his own hand asVikingsdepicted .
Vikings : Valhalla has different references to Vikings as well as some characters flat have-to doe with to some of the protagonists of the main series .
Emperor Charles Of West Francia
Played By Lothaire Bluteau
Emperor Charles inVikingswasn’t based on one specific person but was , in fact , a combination of three rulers — all of whom were cry Charles . They were Charles the Bald , Charles the Fat , and Charles the Simple . As is patent from each of their names , this troika of Charles ’s were n’t looked upon fondly by those they rule over . Charles the Bald was the grandson of Charlemagne , and was the Charles who unsuccessfully fight back Paris against the Vikings in 845 as the show depicted .
Charles the Fat was the enceinte - grandson of Charlemagne , and the net ruler of the Franks before their kingdom became fractured . He died in 888 after instinctive causes several years after being removed from the pot . He also terminate up seeing off several Viking sieges of Paris , though yield for a repose colonisation with the Norsemen . The finale Charles , Charles the Simple , ruled over West Francia until 922 . Notably , the substantial Rollo married his daughter , Gisela / Gisla .
King Harald Finehair
Played By Peter Franzen
Another swayer depicted inVikingswho was based on a actual diachronic figure was King Harald Finehair of Vestfold ( which still exists as an electoral territory in advanced Norway ) . In the show , Harald Finehair joins the Great Heathen Army , and makes several fail attempts to conquer Kattegat . The existent swayer Harald is based on was the Norse big businessman Harald Fairhair , who be between 850 and 932 , and is regarded as the first king of Norway when he find between 972 and 930 .
There have been some modernistic scholar who doubt the existence of Harald , especially since many accounts of his world occur from sagas , similarly to Ragnar .
The real King Harald is seen in Norway as a symbol of independence and a polar symbolic figure ever since Norway split up from its union with Sweden . However , there have been some modern learner who doubt the universe of Harald , especially since many accounts of his cosmos come from sagas , similarly to Ragnar .
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.
Ubbe
Played By Jordan Patrick Smith
Ragnar and Aslaug ’s first son , Ubbe , endedVikingsby discovering North America . While this made a fitting narrative ending on the show , it was all fictitious . However , while the real person Ubbe is establish on , Ubba , never sailed for " The Golden Land " , he does count among theVikingscharacters based on substantial people ( albeit one with an unbelievably re-explain taradiddle ) . The veridical Ubbe was a commander of the Great Heathen Army , thoughmuch like Ragnar and most of his sons , little is be intimate about his life-time , and the various documentations that mention Ubba also tell contradictory stories .
The early quotation of Ubbe arrive in relation to the end of the sovereignty of King Edmund of East Anglia in the ninth 100 , about which lilliputian is also know . He is then advert in multiple historic accounts and documents across the Middle Ages , though all of these were written centuries after his opine last in 878(it ’s believed , though not substantiate , that he was kill at the Battle of Cynwit in Devon in southwest England ) . Unlike his brothers , Ubba is barely mentioned in the traditional Norse saga and verse form describe the life of Ragnar .
The titular vikings of Vikings explored many dissimilar parts of the domain . What land did all of the eccentric visit ?
Prince Oleg
Played By Danilla Kozlovsky
Also known as Oleg the Prophet , Prince Oleg ( played by Danilla Kozlovsky ) did n’t come out inVikingsuntil season 6 , though he left an impression on viewer . Despite his moniker , Oleg was a unpitying and sadistic ruler , and had ambition for the Rus to conquer Scandinavia . Unsurprisingly , given his disposition , Oleg and the equally - pitiless Ivar are capable to make an uneasy allegiance , and despite their different cultures , see each other as almost kindred look .
Just like his characterization inVikings , the real Oleg fire Constantinople and was noted for bringing many easterly Slavic tribe into the fold of the Rus ' land .
The real figure thisVikingscharacter is base on is Oleg of Novgorod , also be intimate as Oleg the Wise . He ruled the Rus of Kiev between the 880s and 940s , although the exact years of his sovereignty are heavily disputed . Just like his portrayal inVikings , the real Oleg displace Constantinople and was noted for bring many Eastern Slavonic tribes into the fold of the Rus ' realm .
Rollo
Played By Clice Standen
Rollo ( Clive Standen ) is Ragnar ’s older brotherand afterwards Duke of Normandy . He was known for being impulsive and aggressive , and for cheat his brother many times . Rollo is based on the diachronic figure of speech of the same name who was a real Viking and who became the first ruler of Normandy . His stead of birth is unnamed , though a life spell by Dudo of Saint - Quentin in the previous 10th century claim he was from Denmark .
The real Rollo lead many raids before root in Normandy , where he marry Princess Gisla(who might have been as untested as five year old at the clip ) . Among his descendants are William Longsword , Richard the Fearless , and Gerloc ( also known as Adele ) , who hook up with William III , Duke of Aquitaine . Rollo ’s grave can be found at the Cathedral of Rouen in France .
Floki
Played By Gustaf Skarsgård
The trickster of the radical and exceptional boat constructor , Floki ( Gustaf Skarsgård)was Ragnar ’s best friend and a very eccentric man . He was very loyal to the Gods , so much that he would avoid doing things that could make them mad , which is in big part why he never like Athelstan , as he was a Christian who influenced Ragnar ’s belief . In season 5 , Floki arrived to Iceland , but his resolution slow come down apart , so he left and ended up in a cave which he believe to be a gate to Helheim , but instead found a Christian interbreeding there .
Contrary toVikings ’ Floki , the existent one was company by his family . He go back to Norway and later refund to Iceland , where he stayed until his demise .
The cave turned out to be inside an erupting vent , trap him there . Floki is loosely based on Hrafna - Flóki Vilgerðarson , who was the first Norseman to intentionally sweep to Iceland . Contrary toVikings ’ Floki , the real one was keep company by his category . He went back to Norway and later returned to Iceland , where he stayed until his decease .
Bjorn Ironside
Played By Alexander Ludwig
Bjorn Ironside isRagnar and Lagertha ’s son(though Rollo might be his tangible father ) , who overthrow his half - comrade , Ivar , and became King of Kattegat . The existent Bjorn is very unlike to the one inVikings ; for starter , he was n’t Lagertha ’s son , but Aslaug ’s , and Ivar was his old buddy . He was a fabled Swedish big businessman and the first ruler of the Munsö dynasty .
Something the series receive right from Bjorn ’s story was how he pretend to be on his deathbed , so he would be let into one of the townsfolk they were looking to assail , only to bounce from the stretcher once inside and let the Viking force in . An challenging part of the history of the literal Bjorn Ironside is that , according to several historic sources both from Europe and Medieval Arabic scholars , he once head a vast Viking raid over the Mediterranean . This included Italy and North Africa , showing just how widely the tangible - animation Vikings traveled during the 9th century .
Throughout 6 seasons , Vikings has shown the traveling and battles of Viking warrior , but how much of it is historically accurate ? countenance ’s take a expression .
Ivar the Boneless
Played By Alex Høgh Andersen
Ivar is Ragnar and Aslaug ’s fourth son , hold with a defect that rendered his legs useless . Ivar is pretty unsound , sadistic , and incredibly narcissistic . The real Ivar the Boneless , also known as Ivar Ragnarsson , was one of the greatest Viking leaders ever , and the commanding officer of the Great Heathen Army in the late 9th century , a coalition of Norse warrior who fare together to overrun four Anglo - Saxon kingdoms .
The causa of his death is a mystery , despite there being several contemporary historical account , it ’s widely conceive by historians that he was at last need by disease
It ’s unknown when the real Ivar the Boneless was tolerate , but he ’s known to have become flat around 873 . While the cause of his destruction is a enigma , despite there being several present-day historical accounts , it ’s wide believe by historian that he was ultimately take by disease , rather than having the glorious last on the battlefield the versions inVikingssought . The origin of his nickname is also unsettled , as it could have been due to brittle bone disease , male impotence , or a translation misunderstanding , as he might have actually been cognise as “ the Hated ” .
Lagertha
Played By Katheryn Winnick
Lagertha was Ragnar ’s first wifeand mother of Bjorn and Gyda . She was a skilled shieldmaiden , who after her interval from Ragnar , became Earl of Hedeby and later faggot of Kattegat . The real Lagertha was also said to have been a Viking shieldmaiden and ruler of what ’s now Norway . Like manyVikingscharacters , Lagertha was also based on a " real " individual , though accounts of her were first recorded in the 12th century several century of years after her death — and the truth of writing on Lagertha ’s life are heavily disputed .
Lagertha appears in theSaga of Ragnar Lothbrokand Saxo Grammaticus’Gesta Danorum , which has made modern historians believe that she was n’t a literal person , but more of a musing of tale about Viking warrior women or the Scandinavian deity Thorgerd . This is in line with her husband , the famed warrior Ragnar and the central lineament ofVikings , who many historian also believe never actually subsist .
Aslaug
Played By Alyssa Sutherland
InVikings , Aslaug was a princess , Ragnar ’s 2d wife , and mother of Ubbe , Hvitserk , Sigurd , and Ivar . She died in season 4 after Lagerthaconquered Kattegat , which prompted Aslaug to accept her defeat under the condition that she be given safe passage to leave . Lagertha gibe , but as Aslaug pull up stakes , she killed her with an arrow .
The " real " Aslaug is say to have been the daughter of fabled poor boy Sigurd and shieldmaiden Brynhildr
The " real " Aslaug is said to have been the girl of legendary Cuban sandwich Sigurd and shieldmaiden Brynhildr , Ragnar ’s third wife , and female parent of Bjorn , Sigurd , and Ivar . Just like Ragnar and Lagertha , Aslaug was only believed to be substantial until the modern era when historians were able to more clearly valuate and analyze the validity of many figures in Norse history . She is also believe to have been fictional , and like many theatrical role in the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok , is an amalgamation of several historical figures whose try out identity has since been lost to the mist of time .
The city of Kattegat is the principal setting of Vikings , and in Vikings : Valhalla , Kattegat is almost unrecognisable . So , is Kattegat a real stead ?
Sigurd
Played By David Lindström
TheVikingscharacter is based on the Danish king Sigurd Aslaugsson , also bonk as Sigurd Snake - in - the - eye .
Sigurd Ragnarssonwas Ragnar and Aslaug ’s son , who was kill by Ivar after the former mocked the latter in public . TheVikingscharacter is based on the Danish king Sigurd Aslaugsson , also have intercourse as Sigurd Snake - in - the - eye . The real Sigurd ( who ’s not to be confound with another Sigurd from Norse mythology , who was the boy of Odin ) got his soubriquet as he was bear with a bull’s eye in his eye , report as the persona of the Ouroboros ( a serpent biting its own bottom ) , something that was prophesy by Aslaug . He joined Ivar in the Great Heathen Army .
Like his father and female parent , there are questions around whether Sigurd Hydra - in - the - centre was a real person or a quasi - fabulous form . However , his existence is far more likely than that of Ragnar himself . It ’s potential his fable was inspired by the Danish King Siegfried , who ruled over the Danes in the tardy ninth hundred alongside his chum , Halfdan .
Aethelwulf
Played By Moe Dunford
Aethelwulf was King of Wessex and Mercia , and died from an allergic chemical reaction to a bee sting . The literal Aethelwulf was King of Wessex , but the Vikings were n’t a terror to it during his reign — he was defeated by them once , but achieved a major triumph in a later one . He is regarded as one of the most successful West Saxon king , lay the initiation for the succeeder of his son , Alfred the Great ( who , inVikings , is portrayed as the illegitimate Word of Aethelwulf ’s wife , Judith , and Athelstan ) .
The real Aethelwulf harness over Wessex between the eld of 839 and 858.Unlike Ragnar and his sons , there ’s a amazingly full-bodied storey of diachronic knowledge on King Aethelwulf , as Anglo Saxon record keeping was much more advanced during the 9th century than that of the Vikings . Upon his demise he was succeded by Alfred , who went on to consist the foundations for what would eventually become the British Monarchy — and is the only English crowned head to be referred to as " the with child " .
Viking is a diachronic drama series make for the History Channel by Michael Hirst . Based on tarradiddle reach down in Norse lore , the serial publication focuses on the Lodbrok class and their lives during medieval Scandinavia . The family is formally established by the rise of Ragnar Lodbrok , a James Leonard Farmer twist Viking who rear to power as a Scandinavian King .
