As a historian who has spent countless hours delving into the intricate details of Viking history, I must say that “Vikings: Valhalla” is a fascinating yet puzzling series. On one hand, it captures the spirit and adventurousness of the Vikings, their ability to adapt, integrate, and cling to their ancient beliefs in the face of religious and cultural change. However, on the other hand, the timeline and historical accuracy of the series leave much to be desired.
As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but express my fascination with the History Channel’s captivating series “Vikings”. This mesmerizing depiction, centered around the legendary character Ragnar Lothbrok (portrayed brilliantly by Travis Fimmel), immerses us in a world of ancient Nordic gods, valiant shield-maidens, and axe-wielding warriors adorned in snug leather. The series unfolds against the backdrop of a largely untamed North Sea.
Valhalla” continues the Viking storyline after Ragnar’s demise. Similar to its predecessor “Vikings,” the sequence of events in this later series, which focuses on the adventures of the last great Viking Age heroes, sometimes compresses historical facts, making it somewhat challenging to keep track at certain points.
As a gamer, I’d say: “In ‘Valhalla,’ much like ‘Vikings,’ many storylines are interwoven with actual historical events. Over three seasons, we follow the adventures of renowned Viking siblings Leif Erikson (Sam Corlett) and Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson). The series kicks off around a century after Ragnar’s demise, following the St. Brice’s Day Massacre of 1002 C.E. However, while the final episodes show Harald’s (Luke Harmon) rise to sole Viking king after the passing of his co-ruler and nephew Magnus (Set Sjöstrand), an event that occurred historically in 1047 C.E., the characters’ ages and experiences may not perfectly align with their real-world counterparts. Essentially, it’s wise to take the timeline with a grain of salt.
The Valhalla story follows Ragnar’s exploits
To grasp the role of “Valhalla” in this context, let’s take a step back and recall the lives of the “Vikings.” Initially, these raids were an integral part of their culture. Despite his lord’s disapproval, Ragnar embarks on a daring expedition westward, sailing on a novel longship. This daring move resulted in numerous successful plunders of England. Ragnar’s raids played a significant role in his ascension, first to the position of earl and eventually to the throne of Kattegat. The Seer’s prophecy was fulfilled as Ragnar fathered five sons, four with his first wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and one with his second wife Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland).
Intrigued by the Wessex countryside, Ragnar initiates attempts to found a settlement there, having previously secured land from King Ecbert. Later, Ragnar guides his Scandinavian Viking group in their third assault on Paris, which they conquer using Ragnar’s apparent demise as a disguise – a tactic reminiscent of the Trojan horse. Post-Paris siege, Ragnar’s brother Rollo (Clive Standen) betrays him for a noble title and a bride from Emperor Charles (Lothaire Bluteau), an action that ultimately results in the formation of the Norman settlement.
In the years that followed, Ragnar’s brutal death by snake in England sparked a thirst for revenge among his sons. Joined together, they spearheaded the Great Heathen Army – an impressive union of Vikings from various Scandinavian regions. This formidable force managed to overpower the four English kingdoms, thereby instating the Danelaw. As the series draws to a close, Ragnar’s son Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) ascends to the throne in Kattegat, while his other son Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) embarks on expeditions to Iceland and North America.
The timeline of Vikings: Valhalla
In reality and as depicted in the “Vikings” series, the key factor contributing to the Vikings’ victories was their talent for assimilating into different societies and communities. After the initial shock caused by their violent raids, Norsemen were quite adept at adapting to new cultures within a few generations. However, this adaptation came with a cost: the gradual erosion of traditional Viking customs. While Ragnar’s raids were driven by his faith in ancient deities and Odin, those beliefs began to fade by the time of “Vikings: Valhalla,” approximately a century later — especially after King Æthelred II (Bosco Hogan) destroyed a long-standing community of Viking settlers.
At Kattegat, Vikings convene to strategize their reaction. Meanwhile, siblings Leif Erikson and Freydís Eiríksdóttir voyage from Greenland with a vengeful intent towards Christian Jarl Olaf Haraldsson, who had brutally attacked Freydis. Subsequently, Leif embarks on an expedition to England alongside Harald Sigurdsson, while Freydis assumes leadership of the last sanctuary for pagan travelers, Jomsborg. Later, Leif and Harald journey together with their Varangians (Scandinavian Russians) in alliance with the Byzantine army, battling Saracen fortresses in Constantinople and Sicily. As Christian attacks force Freydis from Jomsborg, she eventually reconnects with her brothers, and with other pagan refugees, they prepare for a journey to Greenland as the series concludes.
The history behind Vikings: Valhalla
Just as the epic tales that form the basis of “Vikings” sometimes deviate from historical fact, so too does the show “Valhalla” bend certain dates and events. Although the series serves as an engaging introduction to many significant figures in Viking history and the legendary Scandinavian sagas, attempting to piece together a coherent timeline can result in perplexity. Similarly, the historicity of Ragnar Lothbrok, much like King Arthur from Arthurian legends, remains debatable despite his narrative aligning with actual events such as the 885 Siege of Paris.
As a gamer exploring the world of historical fiction, I find myself delving into the captivating tales of Leif Erikson and his kin, particularly Freydis. While it’s generally accepted that Leif existed, our knowledge of their exploits comes from two medieval sagas – the Saga of the Greenlanders and the Saga of Erik the Red.
In the legends, Jomsborg was destroyed in 1043, which is over 40 years after the start of the series. However, Freydis’ son Harald is still quite young, suggesting that 40 years have not actually passed since the beginning of the story. To make things even more complicated, the Varangian Guard typically fought with the Byzantine army in 1034, which is earlier than when Jomsborg fell. This discrepancy could mean that the Vikings took an unusually long time to seek revenge or that Freydis and Leif aged at an extraordinary rate, but Harald’s age raises doubts about the timeline’s accuracy, weakening the series’ claim to historical authenticity.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-20 19:00