The Vikings (2 Viewers)

Also, Ivar "the boneless", as far as I know, was not the crippled person he is in the show. How in the world will someone who can't walk rule in that era? The modern thinking is that Ivar had something similar to Elhors Danlos syndrome (lose connective tissues) and was very flexible, but able to ambulate, etc. That version makes much more sense to me.

All of this said - I love the show and eagerly await each new episode. I don't need realism to be entertained. For me a documentary can't stray, but a show surely can
 
She seems like a real life badass! taken from a 12th century work on Danish History. She commanded 120 ships. No woman who isn't powerful has 120 ships at her disposal.


Lagertha's tale is recorded in passages in the ninth book of the Gesta Danorum, a twelfth-century work of Danish history by Saxo Grammaticus.[2] According to the Gesta (¶ 9.4.1–9.4.11), Lagertha's career as a warrior began when Frø, king of Sweden, invaded Norway and killed the Norwegian king Siward. Frø put the women of the dead king's family into a brothel for public humiliation. Hearing of this, Ragnar Lodbrok came with an army to avenge his grandfather Siward. Many of the women Frø had ordered abused dressed themselves in men's clothing and fought on Ragnar's side.[1] Chief among them, and key to Ragnar's victory, was Lagertha. Saxo recounts:

Ladgerda, a skilled Amazon, who, though a maiden, had the courage of a man, and fought in front among the bravest with her hair loose over her shoulders. All-marvelled at her matchless deeds, for her locks flying down her back betrayed that she was a woman.

Impressed with her courage, Ragnar courted her from afar. Lagertha feigned interest and Ragnar arrived to seek her hand, bidding his companions wait in the Gaular valley. He was set upon by a bear and a great hound which Lagertha had guarding her home, but killed the bear with his spear and choked the hound to death. Thus he won the hand of Lagertha in marriage. According to Saxo, Ragnar had a son with her, Fridleif, as well as two daughters, whose names are not recorded.[2]

After returning to Denmark to fight a civil war, Ragnar (who, according to Saxo, was still annoyed that Lagertha had set beasts against him) divorced Lagertha in order to marry Thora Borgarhjört (Þóra Borgarhjǫrtr), daughter of King Herraud (Herrauðr) of Sweden.[1] He won the hand of his new love after numerous adventures, but upon returning to Denmark was again faced with a civil war. Ragnar sent to Norway for support, and Lagertha, who still loved him, came to his aid with 120 ships, according to Saxo.[2] When at the height of the battle, Ragnar's son Siward was wounded, Lagertha saved the day for Ragnar with a counter-attack:

Ladgerda, who had a matchless spirit though a delicate frame, covered by her splendid bravery the inclination of the soldiers to waver. For she made a sally about, and flew round to the rear of the enemy, taking them unawares, and thus turned the panic of her friends into the camp of the enemy.[2]

Upon returning to Norway, she quarrelled with her husband, and slew him with a spearhead she concealed in her gown. Saxo concludes that she then "usurped the whole of his name and sovereignty; for this most presumptuous dame thought it pleasanter to rule without her husband than to share the throne with him".[2]
 
Hahaha...more research.....RATS!


According to Judith Jesch, the rich variety of tales in the first nine books of Saxo's Gesta, which include the tale of Lagertha, are "generally considered to be largely fictional"
 
I agree, however recently there has been archaeologic evidence of the importance and status of shield maidens. I dont know that they would rule a "clan", but a grave was found that makes it clear some of them were very important in the society. I do have to assume the whole lesbian hotties running the settlement are "hollywood" though

Zach,
Not trying to denigrate the signifigance of women in viking society and I'm sure there were many even as fighters. The problem is Testasterone driven greed, lust for power, control and physical strength and daring fighting ability is considered the ultimate leadership skill.
There are examples of women leaders in ancient societies and even what would be considered barbarian culture such as Boudica with the Celts.
Ray

Just saw your Lagetha post, I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle but you are correct it is an interesting read!
Also When I see Ivar Struggling to pull himself around I can't help but think of all the wheel chair atheletes I see with arms like legs from a life time being both arms and legs.
 
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I love researching!!!

Regarding Ivar "The boneless"... It could be from a bad translation of latin way back in "the day"
In Latin, exos = bone, while there appears to be a word (not sure of spelling) similar to exossis, meaning despicable.
Maybe the meaning was Ivar the despicable and it got confused in some translation...

Interesting!
 
Zach...I did a little research on the mini series Vikings several season ago...

one theory on his name "Ivar the Boneless"...was that Ivar could not "satisify" a woman...^&grin...

while I doubt it's true...as he was the King's son...I'm not making that up...
 
Zach...I did a little research on the mini series Vikings several season ago...

one theory on his name "Ivar the Boneless"...was that Ivar could not "satisify" a woman...^&grin...

while I doubt it's true...as he was the King's son...I'm not making that up...

Same with Ivan the Terrible...a really nice guy, but Terrible in bed...apparently :wink2:
 
I thought the season finale was good.Season 5 don't seem to be too far away.Anybody see the spot for the new show coming in the fall about the Templars called Knightfall? One more thing does anybody know what the last scene in Vikings meant? PM me if you don't want to put it on this thread.
Mark
 
I thought the season finale was good.Season 5 don't seem to be too far away.Anybody see the spot for the new show coming in the fall about the Templars called Knightfall? One more thing does anybody know what the last scene in Vikings meant? PM me if you don't want to put it on this thread.
Mark

you will see him reappear in the Season 5 trailer...it might explain a lot...

yes...I saw the preview of Knightfall...and it looks good!
 
Season 5B started Wednesday.Pretty good episode but not having Ragnar Lothbrok takes it down a notch.
Mark
 
I thought the season finale was good.Season 5 don't seem to be too far away.Anybody see the spot for the new show coming in the fall about the Templars called Knightfall? One more thing does anybody know what the last scene in Vikings meant? PM me if you don't want to put it on this thread.
Mark

I watched it...but don't remember the last scene...what was it?
 
The Vikings are the most historically inaccurate show I've ever seen and I LOVE IT! ^&grin^&grin^&grin{bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}
Mark
 
I love the Vikings series as well Mark. I'm saddened to hear of the fate of Lagertha though. She went threw a lot and deserved better. I hope the show's ending is worthy of the whole production. It has been great watching. Greg.
 
I agree with you Greg.Hopefully it will have a good ending but I doubt if many of our characters will have a happy ending.It might not be accurate in historical terms but it sure gave you a feel for the period.
Mark
 
1 more episode until mid-season finale.Pretty good but not the same without Ragnar.
Mark
 
Starting to get very interesting how it will all turn out especially with Ivar who according to legend died in England. The producer's story has not been historically correct though. Looking keenly for the conclusion of this great series and the interest it will provide with the 1066 JJD Vikings that will be released hopefully. Greg.
 
The last 10 episodes are now available on Prime Video. They will be on History Channel TBA. I love this show and I know it's not historically accurate but didn't the Saxons ever beat them? I'm not talking about churchman and villagers but the Saxon armies. From what I've read the Vikings lost more battles than they won. Is this true?
Mark
 
Mark, the answer is yes. The Battle of Edington in 878 was considered a significant victory for Alfred. In addition, there is the Battle of the Holme in 902 which historians consider technically a Danish victory but during the battle Aethelwold, the son of Alfred’s brother, Aethelred, who claimed the throne, was killed and his death helped cement the rule of Alfred’s son, Edward the Elder.

Vikings is entertaining but as you noted not historically accurate. After Ecbert’s son Aethelwulf died, Alfred did not succeed the throne and Aethelred was not poisoned by his mother but served as King until he died in 871, when he was succeeded by Alfred.

I found The Last Kingdom to be somewhat more historically accurate than Vikings.
 
I like "The Last Kingdom" also. There is one maybe 2 seasons of that show left.
Mark
 

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