The final episodes of the Irish-Canadian historical series “Vikings” are expected to air at the end of 2022.
The project, which freely retells the Scandinavian sagas about the raids of medieval sailors on neighboring lands, lasted 6 seasons on the History cable channel and was loved by viewers around the world. Of course, not all the tales of the northern peoples fit into the planned 89 episodes, so already in November 2022, Netflix ordered a spin-off show, which will take place 100 years after the events of the original. In anticipation of the final episodes and the continuation, which is called “Vikings: Valhalla,” we are talking about the characters who meet in this large-scale television epic.
The plot of the series "Vikings"
The History Project spans nearly 30 years, and the second half of the final season may take the action even further. The year 793 begins. The Norwegian bond (a free man who owns his own farm - KR) Ragnar Lothbrok invites Jarl Haraldson, the leader of the Kattegat settlement, to go west to explore new lands. The ruler did not appreciate the initiative and refused to provide Ragnar with boats for his raids. Then Lodbrok resorts to the help of his friend, shipwright Floki, who builds him a faster ship. Then he secretly assembles a team, which included Floki himself and Rangar’s brother Rollo, and sails to the shores of Northumbria (northern Britain), leaving his wife Lagertha at home to look after the children. Haraldson, of course, does not intend to put up with this state of affairs, so he plans punishment for those who dare to disobey him. Then, over the course of six seasons, we talk about the life and numerous adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, his wives, children and opponents against the backdrop of historical cataclysms at the turn of the 8th and 9th centuries.
Children's revenge for the death of their father
Drawing of a Viking warship
According to legend, Ragnar said before his death: “My piglets will grunt when they find out about the death of the old boar.” The reliability of these words remains in doubt, however, the invasion of the sons of Lodbrok became known as the Great Pagan (Danish) Army.
In 866-867, an army of thousands of Vikings led by Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Halfdan and other Ragnarsons invaded England. Within a few years, Northumbria, Mercia and a number of eastern lands were plundered. King Ella II was brutally tortured to death.
During this campaign, many Scandinavians arrived to settle. The Vikings had strongholds and received reinforcements, which made it possible to develop the offensive. Only in 878 did Alfred of Wessex, nicknamed “The Great,” manage to win a decisive victory at Ethandun and, on its basis, conclude the Treaty of Wedmore. The Viking invasions in England ceased, but their raids resumed in mainland Europe.
Characters based on real historical events
Screenwriter and author of the series Michael Hirst did not set out to achieve a documentary narrative. Therefore, in Vikings, historical events are intertwined with fiction. Just as fictional characters coexist with the heroes of the Scandinavian epic and personalities who actually existed.
Alfred the Great - King of Wessex, youngest son of Aethelwulf. He successfully defended England from the Vikings, distinguished himself by the development of education, science and economy, and initiated legislative and administrative reforms. In the Vikings series, he is the son of Judith and the monk Athelstan and helps Lagertha.
Angsar is a saint of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, bishop of Hamburg and Bremen. In the series he is a Christian missionary. After preaching in Kattegat, he is executed.
Askold is a Kiev prince who, according to the Tale of Bygone Years, was killed along with Dir on the orders of Oleg. In "Vikings" he is the Prince of Novgorod, the sibling or half-brother of Prince Oleg, and also the regent under Igor Rurikovich. Was poisoned.
Oudh is one of the main participants in the settlement of Iceland. In the series, she was a girl from Kattegat who went to Iceland with Floki. Unable to withstand all the misadventures, she threw herself off the cliff.
Beorthwulf (Britwulf) is the king of Mercia (one of the states in the south of Britain). In the Vikings series, he is a very cruel man who usurps power and sexually abuses his niece, Princess Kwenthrith. Floki is killed.
Wigstan - canonized king of Mercia, killed by Beortwulf. In the series, he is an Anglo-Saxon prince, transfers the crown of Mercia to Egbert and goes into exile.
Gisela is a French princess, daughter of Charles III the Simple. In Vikings, she is the wife of Ragnar Lodbrokag's brother Rollo, and bears him three children.
Dir is a Kiev prince who, according to the Tale of Bygone Years, was killed along with Askold on the orders of Oleg. In the series "Vikings" - Prince of Novgorod. He was captured by Oleg, but Ragnar Lothbrok's son Ivar freed him.
Euthymius was a Byzantine general in Sicily who rebelled against the imperial governor and initiated the Muslim conquest of the island. In "Vikings" he has a love affair with a nun, which becomes the reason for his execution.
Igor is the Prince of Kiev, the husband of Princess Olga. In the series, he is the young heir to the throne under the regency of Prince Askold.
John Scott Eriugena was an Irish philosopher and theologian who lived and worked at the court of the Frankish king Charles the Bald. In Vikings, he is a translator and an expert in geography, who was summoned to Normandy by Duke Rollo.
Charles is a collective image of the three kings Charles II the Bald, Charles III the Fat and Charles III the Simple. In the series, he is the emperor of the West Frankish state, resisting large-scale Viking invasions of Europe.
Cassia is the founder of a convent in Constantinople, a poet, hymnographer and composer. In the Vikings series, she was kidnapped by the commander Euthymius and later achieved his execution.
Kwenthrith is the daughter of King Cenwulf of Mercia. In the series - the daughter of King Offa, the niece of Brithwulf. She was queen for some time, but died in an assassination attempt on King Egbert.
Ketil the Flat-nose was a Norwegian ruler of the Kingdom of Man. In "Viking" he is a well-born Kattegat warrior, one of the settlers to Iceland.
Leif Eriksson is a Scandinavian navigator who discovered North America 5 centuries before Columbus. In the series, he sails to the West with Ragnar Lothbrok. Subsequently, the Vikings sacrifice him to the gods.
Leo IV - Pope in 847-855. He separated the Vatican from Rome with a wall, and one of the city's districts was named after him. In the series, he blesses the future king Alfred the Great.
Olaf II is the king of Norway who converted to Christianity and is one of the most revered Christian saints in Scandinavia. In the Vikings series, he is one of the kings of fragmented Scandinavia and the initiator of the election of the ruler of a united Norway.
Prudentius of Troyes is a Catholic saint, bishop of the Frankish city of Troyes. In the series, he is King Egbert's assistant and secretary.
Harald I Fairhair was the first king of Norway. In Vikings, he is an ally and rival of Ragnar Lothbrok's house, and starts a war between Vestfold and Kattegat by killing his brother. Participates in the confrontation with the Anglo-Saxons and Russians.
Heahmund was a Bishop of Sherborne who died at the Battle of Marden while fighting the Danes. He is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church. In the series, he has military skills, becomes Lagertha's lover and is captured by the Scandinavians.
Horik I - ruler of the Danes in 814–819 and 827–854. In the Vikings series, he became the patron of several campaigns of Ragnar Lothbrok and died during an attempt to invade Kattegat.
Ed of Paris is the Count of Paris and King of the West Frankish Kingdom. Successfully repelled the attacks of the Normans and fought for the throne with Charles the Simple. In the series, he is a Frankish commander and trusted advisor to Emperor Charles, but becomes disillusioned with him and is executed.
Aella II - Anglo-Saxon king of Northumbria. In Vikings, he resists Ragnar's raids on the West, and then completely executes him.
Erik the Red was a Scandinavian navigator who founded the first settlement in Greenland. In the series, he is an ally of Bjorn Ironside and leads the defense of Norway from the Russian fleet led by Prince Oleg.
Aethelwulf - King of Wessex in 839-858, son of Egbert. In Vikings, he takes the throne during the invasion of the country by the Viking army, who came to avenge Ragnar Lothbrok. Dies from a bee sting.
Judith is the daughter of the king of the West Frankish kingdom Charles II the Bald, she was married to Æthelwulf, his son Æthelbald and Count of Flanders Baudouin I. In the Vikings series, she has an intimate relationship with the monk Æthelstan and her father-in-law Egbert.
Plot[edit]
The young bond Ragnar Lothbrok from Kattegat, fed up with his monotonous life of raiding neighboring settlements, dreams of new lands and countries. Despite the ban of the current conservative Jarl Haraldson, Ragnar, together with his relatives, friends and closest associates, sets off on a journey and reaches the shores of England for the first time. Having easily plundered the monastery and defeated a detachment of Anglo-Saxons, Ragnar returns home with booty that was many times greater than the income from raids on neighboring settlements. Then he begins to talk about a land where there is a lot of gold, fertile soil and where the local warriors are much weaker than the Scandinavians. Because of this, the number of his allies increases sharply, which Jarl Haraldson really does not like. He tries to get rid of Ragnar, but in the end agrees to a fair duel, from which Ragnar emerges victorious and becomes the new Jarl of Kattegat. Gradually, step by step, he begins to explore new lands, learn new details about the world from the captured English monk Athelstan and, through political intrigue and battles, capture more and more Scandinavian settlements, becoming the king of all Vikings. At the same time, the Anglo-Saxons and Franks, whom the Vikings began to raid, are playing their own political games and, seeing the strength and determination of the Vikings, want to use them for their own purposes.
Heroes of the first seasons of the series "Vikings"
Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel)
The Danish king (supreme ruler) is one of the most prominent heroes of the Scandinavian sagas, but whether he actually lived is unknown for certain. His last name, or nickname as it was then considered, means “leather pants.” According to one legend, this piece of clothing, made for him by his first wife Lagertha, was his kind of amulet. He was married three times and had many children, including illegitimate ones. Ragnar “went” to Eastern Europe, Britain, and France, even capturing Paris in 845. After a clash with the Anglo-Saxon king Ella II, Lothbrok lost most of his army and died, being thrown into a pit with poisonous snakes. Despite the liberties with which the creators of the Vikings series presented his story, the death of Ragnar in the series is shown in accordance with his life story.
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick)
The first wife of Ragnar Lothbrok, the northern warrior Lagertha, despite her external fragility, could compete with men in martial arts. According to the ninth book of the “Acts of the Danes” by the chronicler Saxo Grammar, during one of the battles Ragnar noticed Lagertha in the front ranks of his warriors and was conquered by her courage and bravery. Eventually the Viking won her favor and married her, and then they had three children. This marriage lasted exactly until Lodbrok met Tora from Gotland.
Lagertha, meanwhile, also married again, but subsequently killed her husband in order to rule her lands independently. In the series, her fate developed in a similar way, but throughout all seasons it is demonstrated that she has great affection for her ex-husband, who remained her first and only true love.
Rollo (Clive Standen)
In the series, Rollo is the older brother of Ragnar Lothbrok, who lives in the shadow of his outstanding relative and is trying with all his might to make his way to glory, not shying away from betrayal. The real Rollo was the first Duke of Normandy (Normans = Scandinavian robbers) and had nothing to do with Lodbrok, but he also raided the outskirts of Paris. In 911, he entered into an agreement with the king of the West Frankish kingdom, Charles III the Simple, married his daughter and converted to Christianity. These events were also reflected in Vikings. The ruler Rollo (or Rollo) was wise. He introduced strict laws and created a Norman identity that distinguished his people from the Scandinavians and the French.
Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland)
Ragnar Lothbrok meets Princess Aslaug in Götaland, where he goes on a diplomatic mission on behalf of the Danish king Horik. Having entered into a love affair with a Viking, the heroine quickly realizes that she has become pregnant and goes to his native Kattegat. In the series, she becomes Ragnar's second wife, while in Scandinavian sources the girl was his third wife after Thora from Gotland.
It is known about the life of her prototype, the daughter of the warrior Siegfried and the Icelandic queen Brunhild (the heroes of the “Song of the Nibelungs”) that after the death of her parents she was raised in a peasant family and was forced to hide her origins. Lodbrok was captivated not only by her beauty, but also by her lively mind. It is believed that Aslaug was a seer and often warned her husband against rash actions - the Vikings series also emphasizes that she has a magical gift. She gave birth to Ragnar 4 sons: Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Hvitserk and Sigurd Snake-Eyes.
Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard)
A talented shipbuilder and friend of Ragnar Lothbrok in the series, he is an eccentric guy whose actions can sometimes seem unpredictable. The basis for his image was the Norwegian navigator and explorer Floki Vilgerdarson. He has little in common with his movie brother, but they are both considered important figures in Icelandic history. Floki from Vikings discovered this volcanic island, brought people there and made it a Scandinavian colony. Whereas Vilgerdarson became the first Norwegian to visit Iceland, and it was he who nicknamed this land Iceland - “Ice Country”.
The hero of the series considers the god of cunning Loki to be his patron, and one day for a serious offense he is punished like his patron: he is tied in a cave so that water drips on his forehead (in myths, a snake hung over Loki, from whose mouth poison was dripping).
Helga (Maude Hirst)
Floki's beloved Helga, although not a warrior, nevertheless often accompanies her husband on campaigns. And, despite his oddities and extravagant antics, she is very devoted to him and dreams of a happy family life - even after he kills Ragnar Lothbrok’s advisor and friend, the former monk Aethelstan. Her gentle character and religiosity help her endure all hardships, but the death of her only daughter breaks her, and she becomes obsessed with the idea of motherhood. One day, while sailing to the Mediterranean Sea, Helga meets a Moorish girl, Tanarus, and wants to adopt her. The child does not accept his new family, and Helga's blind love and attempts to establish contact with her ultimately lead to tragedy.
King Egbert (Linus Roache)
A gifted and far-sighted politician, Egbert was able to legally annex neighboring Mercia to his possessions and create the most powerful state in England. In the series, the king uses his diplomatic skills to establish connections with both the monk Athelstan and the rebel Viking Ragnar Lothbrok. But behind his image of an enlightened and reliable monarch, he hides selfishness, hypocrisy and lust: it is not for nothing that Egbert slept for many years with his daughter-in-law, Princess Judith, and betrayed his old friend Lodbrok. The real Egbert, whom historians consider the first king of England, did not live to see Ragnar die. They may have never even met. But during his lifetime, he established relations with the church, made decisions only together with the Council of the Wise (nobility and clergy) and secured the transfer of royal lands to only male family members.
Halfdan Black (Jasper Pääkkönen)
The younger brother and comrade-in-arms of Harald Fairhair was his father in real life and, of course, did not die by his hand. In the Vikings series, Halfdan the Black appears as a very cruel man who takes pleasure in killing his enemies and other violence. He takes part in Ragnar Lothbrok's campaign against Frankia, where he brutally kills local residents and rapes women. However, many years later, being an ally of Ragnar's son Bjorn Ironside, Halfdan noticeably softens and does not share his brother's desire to capture Kattegat. Having twice sided with Bjorn and Lagertha, Black fell into disgrace with Harald and was subsequently stabbed to death by him. The real-life Halfdan the Black was the king of Agdir (a region of Norway) and was even married to a woman from the family of Ragnar Lothbrok. In this marriage, by the way, Harald was born. He died at the age of 40, drowning in an icy lake.
Fact or Fiction about Brother Rollo
Statue of Rollo in Falaise, Normandy
Rollo (Rollon) is a real person who lived approximately 860-932. He became the first Duke of Normandy under the name Robert I, considered the founder of the Norman dynasty and the ancestor of William the Conqueror.
Given Ragnar's indirect historicity, there is no evidence to suggest that Lodbrok was related to Roll. Taking into account the customs of Scandinavian families, which were distinguished by large families, Ragnar could have had brothers with a similar name. However, his role was not significantly reflected in tales and legends.
There is no reason to connect Ragnar and Rollon in the same generation. The difference between them is several decades, which excludes fraternal ties. Family ties between them are also unlikely; in most cases, such options are fictions connecting real dynasties with legends and famous heroes.
The main characters of season 6 of the series "Vikings"
Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig)
The semi-legendary Swedish king was the son of Queen Aslaug and Ragnar Lothbrok (in Vikings his mother is Lagertha). In his campaigns, he reached Gibraltar, plundered Morocco, and sailed to the Spanish Balearic Islands and French Provence. Bjorn is considered the first ruler of Sweden from the House of Munse, who led the country for more than 200 years. In Vikings, Ironside is presented as an exemplary warrior, honest and fair. Following the example of his father, he strives to explore new lands not only for financial gain, but also in order to expand his horizons. His connection with Lagertha is especially strong, but he approaches raising his children without much enthusiasm.
Ubbe Lothbrok (Jordan Smith)
Ubbe or Ubba Ragnarsson is believed to be the son of Ragnar Lothbrok and an unnamed woman. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he was one of the commanders of the Great Pagan Army that captured several British kingdoms. In Vikings, this campaign is presented as an act of revenge by the sons of Lodbrok against his murderer and all those involved. In the series, Ubbe is the firstborn son of Ragnar and Aslaug and is distinguished by his restraint and good diplomatic skills. However, he often lacks the cunning and foresight to become a wise leader. Ubbe would prefer peace with his neighbors and a settled life far from the battlefield to war.
Ivar the Boneless (Alex Hegh Andersen)
One of the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok and Aslaug was considered the most intelligent and fierce among his brothers. He executed King Aella II of Northumbria in revenge for his father's murder. It is not known for certain where his nickname came from. Among the versions are exceptional flexibility, lameness and even impotence (according to some sources, he did not have children). In the Vikings series, Ivar suffers from osteogenesis and cannot move independently, but this is more than compensated for by his intellectual abilities. The Boneless's desire for self-assertion and instability in Vikings leads him to become the despotic ruler of Kattegat, opposing Lagertha. Subsequently, Ivar hides in the east and finds help from the Prophetic Oleg.
Hvitserk Lothbrok (Marco Ilse)
Another son of Ragnar Lothbrok was appointed by his father as ruler of the Hellespont (an ancient Greek city, the predecessor of Constantinople) after the victory over King Diem. According to one version, the son of the defeated ruler captured him and, having received a refusal to resolve differences through a dynastic marriage, burned him along with his comrades. In the Vikings series, Hvitserk participates in the travels of Bjorn Ironside, and later fights against him, Ubbe and Lagertha on the side of Ivar. When his brother reveals himself as a cruel tyrant, he goes over to the side of his opponents and eventually becomes an alcoholic, nevertheless cherishing the hope of taking revenge on the Boneless for the death of his mistress. One day, in a fit of madness, he kills Lagertha.
Prophetic Oleg (Danila Kozlovsky)
The Prince of Kiev and Novgorod united two centers of the Eastern Slavs under his leadership. His exact origins are unknown, but he was the regent of Rurik’s son Igor after the death of the ruler. Oleg seized power in Kyiv by force, killing Askold and Dir, who were sitting there - once warriors of the Novgorod prince. It is to Oleg that the Tale of Bygone Years ascribes the words that Kyiv is “the mother of Russian cities.” In Vikings, Oleg the Prophet is known as a cunning and almost clairvoyant sovereign. He killed his wife, having learned about her betrayal, as well as his half-brother Askold, who was the regent of Igor Rurikovich. In season 6 of the Vikings series, Ivar the Boneless came to him, and together they planned a campaign against Norway.
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Alex Hegh Andersen Alexander Ludwig Alyssa Sutherland Vikings Gustaf Skarsgård Danila Kozlovsky Jordan Smith Clive Standen Katheryn Winnick Linus Roache Marco Ilse Maude Hirst Travis Fimmel Jasper Pääkkönen
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Interesting Facts
- Lagertha is the Latin version of the Scandinavian "Hlagerda". The meaning of the name is not known for certain; it itself consists of the words “khlada” - weave, lace and “herta” - protection.
- Legends about the brave warrior inspired writer Kristen Henriksen to write the historical drama Lagertha. A ballet was created based on the work.
Lagertha with a sword
- Myths claim that Lagertha's father is Siegfried.
- After the end of season 4, fans wondered for a long time whether Lagertha would die at the beginning of the new series. The actress who played the role shared photos from the filming with fans. It looks like the writers are keeping the character alive for now.
