Unveiling Truths: Medieval Arms Expert Exposes Vikings' 800-Year Misconceptions
Vikings, despite historical inaccuracies, have still managed to captivate audiences with their popularity
Summary
Weapons expert Toby Capwell criticizes the historical accuracy of combat scenes in Vikings, pointing out inaccuracies in clothing and helmets especially.
Capwell suggests that the characters in Vikings wear leather clothing without any basis in history, and the helmets used are incorrect by 800 years. However, despite these inaccuracies, the show has achieved great popularity, implying that accuracy does not always dictate the success of a show.
The accuracy of Vikings has been questioned by a weapons expert, Toby Capwell. The series, which premiered on the History channel in 2013, is based on Norse sagas surrounding Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his descendants. Alongside Travis Fimmel as Ragnar, the show features an extensive ensemble cast including Katheryn Winnick, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgård, Gabriel Byrne, Donal Logue, Alyssa Sutherland, Alexander Ludwig, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ragga Ragnars, and Ray Stevenson.
Recently, Insider shared a video where weapons experts discussed the accuracy of combat scenes in different movies and TV shows. Toby Capwell, an expert on medieval arms and armor, was shown a scene from Vikings season 2. Capwell pointed out several inaccuracies in the battle scene, including Ragnar's leather clothing, the absence of helmets on the main characters, and the incorrect design of the helmets worn by the other characters. For the complete quote and video, refer to Capwell's statement below.
Historical Inaccuracy Hasn't Prevented Vikings From Becoming a Hit
The TV series Vikings is filled with fantasy elements that are both appealing and disappointing. It is particularly disheartening for me to see the inaccuracies in historical details portrayed throughout the show. One notable example is the use of late 16th-century helmets by the Anglo-Saxon characters, which are historically inaccurate by about 800 years. Leather biker gear is another questionable choice, as there is limited historical evidence supporting the use of leather clothing in the past. This trend of historical inaccuracies extends to the main characters who often neglect to wear helmets, despite the necessity during battles. Considering the status and prestige of someone like Ragnar Lothbrok, it is expected that he would be adorned with luxurious adornments such as a magnificent coat, jewelry, and a gilded sword, rather than being dressed in a shabby leather outfit. Consequently, I rate the show a disappointing 3 out of 10.
While Capwell only caught glimpses of a single episode, the standout aspects mentioned persisted throughout the entire series. Surprisingly, these discrepancies did not hinder the captivating narrative of the show. Vikings persevered in captivating audiences over the course of six seasons, encompassing a remarkable 89 episodes before concluding in 2020.
The series premiere of Vikings surpassed the ratings of the broadcast networks in the desired 18 to 49 demographic, attracting a large number of viewers. Additionally, every season of Vikings received positive reviews from critics and achieved a Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Notably, both Viking season 6 and season 3 reached a perfect 100 percent rating. Despite the conclusion of Vikings, a spinoff called Vikings: Valhalla has been created. This Netflix show is set a century later and has already aired two seasons, with a third scheduled for 2024. Considering the franchise's enduring success since its debut, it appears that historical inaccuracies might only be a concern for experts.
Source: Insider
