After dealing a fatal blow to series lead Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig), the future of Kattegat has been left unclear for the next instalments of Vikings. The popular History series is set to end later this year, but the lead up to the conclusion hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
Now fans are expecting a lengthy wait for new Vikings content, the best advice in the extended hiatus could be returning to earlier episodes.
During the first acclaimed season of the historical epic, writer Michael Hirst traced the origins of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a semi-mythic viking king.
In the fifth episode of the season, Raid, Ragnar is vying for the power held by Kattegat chieftan Earl Haraldson, as a seer reveals he will attempt to usurp his position.
However, one diligent fan has revealed in this case the historical fact doesn’t exactly line up with the expansive historical fiction.
READ MORE: Vikings season 6, episode 11 release date: When does Vikings return?
One dedicated fan has outlined an extensive blog comparing the colourful adaptation of viking legend against historical records.
They speculated whether a chieftan like Haraldson, historically referred to as a Jarl, would actually be as concerned with the threat posed by someone like Ragnar.
The blogger said: “But is it truly accurate for Haraldson to be worried about Ragnar usurping his title? Eh.. not really.”
After the seer warns him of Ragnar’s motives, Haraldson goes to desperate measures to defend his position as Jarl, until he is finally killed by his competitor in a duel.
Unlike medieval fantasy realms, power during the age of Vikings was dictated by a series of written rules and codes, rather than descending into a free-for-all contest for domination.
If the series was historically accurate, it would have been incredibly unlikely for Ragnar to challenge Haraldson for an impromptu duel to the death for his role as chieftan.
It certainly gels with the fast and loose approach to history, as Jarl Haraldson is a fictional creation for the series, and there is no record of Gabriel Byrne’s character actually existing.
However, the blogger continues with the caveat that not every Scandanavian town during Vikings’ rule would have been run the same way.
Kattegat is also a fictional creation for the series, and Ragnar’s oft-disputed historical exploits may have taken place in a more disorderly environment.
They continued to suggest a better tactic for the Jarl would be to adopt Ragnar into his family, rather than challenge him head on.
However, Vikings wouldn’t be the show fans love if it attempted a wholly historical accurate angle as opposed to its brutal fabrication of the Viking Age.
Vikings season 6 is streaming on Amazon Prime now.
