The Brutal Realities: Authentic Viking Deaths vs Dramatic Depictions

Summary

The deaths of various characters in Vikings diverge from the historical accounts, as the writers have taken creative liberties in their storytelling.

Historians debate the existence of Ragnar Lothbrok due to the scarcity of supporting historical records. While the show portrays Ragnar being thrown into a snake pit, there are alternative theories surrounding the possible demise of the "real" Ragnar.

The character Lagertha in Vikings is often seen as a representation of Viking warrior tales or Norse deities. In the show, her death is the result of a mistaken stabbing by her son, who was hallucinating. There is no historical account of how the real Lagertha may have died.

The death of Björn in Vikings has sparked discussions among viewers about how the show's portrayal aligns with real-life events and historical legends. Initially, Vikings focused on the legendary Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok, who was believed to be one of the greatest Vikings in history, though there is still disagreement among historians about his existence. As the series progressed, it shifted its attention to Ragnar's sons and their own journeys, particularly highlighting the stories of Björn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless, even before Ragnar's death in season 4.

Ragnar Lothbrok

Fortunately for fans of Vikings, season 6 brought closure to the storylines of the remaining main characters, despite the unfortunate demise of the beloved Bjorn. However, not everyone made it to the end, with some characters meeting their end before the final season even began. Vikings was filled with betrayals and intense battles, leading to the deaths of several key characters. Some were captured and met their demise in unexpected ways. While the show aimed to stay true to historical accuracy, limited information about certain characters meant that the writers had to take creative liberties, resulting in their deaths differing from those of their real-life counterparts.

The fate of Björn in Vikings is a well-discussed topic among fans. However, it is the peculiar death of Ragnar that raises the most questions. Despite being the prominent leader in the early seasons, there is uncertainty surrounding his existence as a real historical figure. Historical evidence supporting Ragnar is scarce, leading to the belief that he is an amalgamation of three individuals: the Viking leader Reginherus, King Horik I of Denmark (who appears in the series), and King Regindfried. Ragnar met his end in the fourth season's episode titled "All His Angels." Harrowing scenes unfolded as King Aelle subjected him to excruciating torture, carving a cross into his head before casting him into a pit filled with venomous serpents.

Ragnar's demise came about as a consequence of the venomous serpent bites, signifying the culmination of his story arc. Yet, lingering inquiries from certain viewers persist regarding his final resting place and whether he truly perished within the pit. The sagas depicting Ragnar's existence recount his defeat by English forces and subsequent disposal in a snake-infested abyss. However, considering the possibility that he might be a composite of multiple historical figures, the fate of the "authentic" Ragnar could have unfolded in various ways: assassination (akin to Reginherus), death on the battlefield (à la Horik), or during a failed invasion (like Reginfrid).

Lagertha

Lagertha, played by Katheryn Winnick, was known as a shield-maiden and the mother of Björn Ironside and Gyda. She was also the first wife of the legendary Ragnar. Highly adored by fans, Lagertha's fate was intertwined with her son's, just as Björn met his demise in the series Vikings. While Lagertha is mentioned in Saxo’s Gesta Danorum alongside Ragnar, her actual existence remains a subject of debate amongst contemporary historians. Some suggest she may be an amalgamation of tales about Viking warrior women or possibly a depiction of the Norse goddess Thorgerd. Another theory suggests that Lagertha could be a representation of the valkyries, female figures known for selecting who is taken to Valhalla, the sacred hall of slain warriors.

Lagertha met her demise in season 6's episode "Death and the Serpent" of Vikings. After successfully taking down White Hair and sustaining serious injuries, she returned to Kattegat. However, upon arrival at Hvitserk's home, she was mistakenly stabbed by him due to his delirium and hallucination of a serpent he believed to be Ivar. The true cause of Lagertha's death remains uncertain, as there are no accounts of her existence as either a real person or a mythological character.

It is worth mentioning that there was an Icelandic woman named Thorgerd Egilsdottir who appears in various Icelandic sagas alongside characters from Vikings, such as Helga (played by Maude Hirst and portrayed as Floki's wife) and Torstein (portrayed by Jefferson Hall). However, the details surrounding Thorgerd Egilsdottir's death are unknown. On the other hand, the goddess Thorgerd Holgabrudr is considered a guardian goddess and has been compared to the valkyries. Nevertheless, the stories do not provide any hints about how the "real" Lagertha may have met her end. Thus, unlike Ragnar's case, there are no concrete historical or mythological figures that can shed light on Lagertha's fate.

Bjorn Ironside

The unfortunate truth is that Björn, the son of Ragnar and Lagertha, meets his demise in Vikings. Known as "Ironside" for his prowess in battle and ability to kill enemies without injury, Björn spent much of his time in conflict with his half-brother Ivar the Boneless. Unlike other fictional characters in the series, Björn Ironside was based on a real-life Viking chief. The true Björn was a legendary Swedish king and the first ruler of the Munsö dynasty, with a sprinkle of fantasy in his story coming from Scandinavian legends that claim he was the offspring of Ragnar and Aslaug.

In the sixth season of Vikings, Björn meets his end when Ivar stabs him with a sword. However, he does not immediately perish and manages to play one final trick on his enemies. Despite his resilience, Björn's wounds prove to be fatal, leading to his ultimate demise. Yet, his legacy endures until the final episode of Vikings. While there are no historical records to detail the demise of the real Björn Ironside, it is assumed that he either passed away from old age or illness, experiencing a more peaceful death than his fictional counterpart.

Ivar The Boneless

Many had hoped that Björn's death in Vikings would be avenged by Ivar. Ivar, the youngest son of Ragnar and Aslaug, was one of the most feared and despised characters in the series. He believed himself to be a god and had a complex storyline filled with hardships from the beginning. Born with weak and twisted legs, Ivar experienced constant pain, which only the enigmatic Harbard could alleviate.

As he grew up, Ivar became a ruthless warrior and formidable foe, frequently at odds with his brother Björn. In Vikings season 6, during a battle, Ivar stepped in to protect his exhausted and injured brother, Hvitserk. Hvitserk noticed that Ivar's eyes were blue, a sign that his bones were in great danger of breaking. Despite this risk, Ivar encouraged his warriors to continue fighting and turned around to confront a young man armed with a dagger. Calmly, Ivar reassured the young man and was subsequently stabbed multiple times, resulting in his immediate death.

Floki

: Ivar the Boneless, similar to Björn, was inspired by a historical figure known as one of the most formidable Viking leaders, with the added challenge of dealing with weak bones from birth. However, there are conflicting accounts surrounding his death. Some assert that he succumbed to a sudden and severe illness, possibly unrelated to his physical condition. On the contrary, the discovery of a mass grave in England may suggest that Ivar met his end in battle, mirroring the events in the television series Vikings. Regardless, both Björn and Ivar meet their demise in season 6 of Vikings, ultimately concluding their longstanding rivalry.

Floki, portrayed by Gustaf Skarsgård, is based on the historical figure Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson, who was the first Norseman to intentionally sail to Iceland. In the show Vikings, Floki was initially presumed dead when he became trapped inside a cave located within a volcano that erupted. However, to the relief of many viewers, he resurfaced in the sixth season. Although Floki was portrayed as having experienced a mental decline, he still imparted some words of wisdom to Ubbe, played by Jordan Patrick Smith, in the series finale. While Floki's character did not meet his demise, the real Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson is believed to have returned to Norway before eventually settling back in Iceland until his passing.

Is Vikings: Valhalla Historically Accurate?

Björn's legacy, along with the rest of the Vikings cast, continues in the spinoff series Vikings: Valhalla, even after his death in season 6. Similar to its predecessor, Vikings: Valhalla takes some creative liberties in portraying the story of Leif Erikson. The series primarily focuses on Leif's journeys, accompanied by his sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and the escalating tensions between the pagans and Christians. While certain elements are historically accurate, there are deviations present. One such deviation involves the character of Freydís Eiríksdóttir. The limited information about her originates from two different sagas, namely Saga of the Greenlanders and Saga of Erik the Red.

In the first saga, Freydís is depicted as ruthless, seizing control of Vinland from her own siblings and subsequently commanding her husband to slaughter their settlement. Following his compliance, she proceeds to eliminate all the women in their separate settlement. In the second saga, she is portrayed as a formidable warrior who joins Leif on his voyages and even fights while pregnant. There are no records of her strained relationship with Christians or a confrontation with them. Another significant deviation lies in the depiction of the fall of the London Bridge and the reign of King Canute.

The fall of London Bridge in Vikings: Valhalla was orchestrated by Leif as part of a meticulously planned strategy. However, in reality, Leif played no role in the destruction of London Bridge. Contrary to the show, the rise of King Canute was not a direct consequence of the bridge's collapse. In actual history, Canute first conquered Northumbria and then laid siege to London. Following his triumphant campaign, Canute was granted dominion over all territories north of the Thames. Vikings: Valhalla, like its predecessor Vikings, does take creative liberties by altering various historical events to enhance the storytelling. Nevertheless, these revisions ultimately contribute to the show's overall appeal and narrative scope.

Has Vikings: Valhalla Changed Any Real-Life Deaths?

Similar to its predecessor, Vikings: Valhalla takes place in a merciless world plagued by constant warfare and death. While Björn meets his demise in Vikings season 6, Valhalla opts to spare its central characters from such fate. In season 2, the antagonist Olaf Haraldsson (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson) perishes in a particularly dramatic manner. However, it is important to note that Olaf Haraldsson was a real historical figure, and his death lacks the same level of intrigue. Upon crowning himself as the King of Norway in 1015, Olaf faces adversity following his defeat in the Battle of the Helgeå. With Norway siding with King Cnut the Great, Olaf is subsequently exiled to Kyivan Rus. Ultimately, Olaf succumbs during the Battle of Stiklestad, as opposed to meeting his demise at the hands of Freydis Eriksdotter's impalement.

In Valhalla season 2, besides Olaf's death, the show also depicts the fictionalized death of King Edmund (Louis Davison). Within the series, Edmund is betrayed by Godwin (David Oakes), who deceives him into forming a resistance against Forkbeard's (Søren Pilmark) forces. However, it is all a charade, and when Edmund falls from his horse, Godwin discreetly stabs him. Although in reality, Edmund died weeks after making a deal with Canute, there are suspicions of foul play surrounding his death. It appears that Vikings: Valhalla is following in the footsteps of its predecessor Vikings in terms of significant character deaths, implying that historical accuracy may not be entirely maintained as the show progresses.