The Vikings

[Alcuin]

It’s on the History Channel, but it seems more like an historical novel. Does it follow real history, or is it spun of whole cloth? And if it does follow actual history, how closely?

[Valandil]

From the little I've seen, I'd say it draws from history.

[Earniel]

There certainly are real historic events and people as well as characters from sagas and legends used in the series as far as I can see, but some are mixed in new ways, I think, and out of sequence historically. But from what I know they've certainly did their research.

For instance:

Paris was attacked and besieged at least two times by Vikings.

The island of Lindisfarne which had a monastery was raided and is seen as the start of the Viking raids. (In the series the character Athelstan comes from here.) BUT if I'm not mistaken, there is like a century between the attack on Lindisfarne and the siege of Paris and therefor couldn't have been done by the same characters. In the series, they're maybe ten/fifteen years apart.

Ragnar and Ivar the Boneless are names I remember from Nordic myth, but it remains unclear whether their myths are tied real historic figures. So I'm guessing there will be more characters that come from Nordic myths.

Rollo is based on a historic figure that did besiege Paris and (like the seer predicted in the series) has quite a big historic impact there. (If the name doesn't ring any bells now, I won't spoil.)

The riddle-test Ragnar sets for Aslaug is something I recall as directly out of Nordic myth books but I can't recall if they are in origin part of the Rangar-sagas or are added because they're pretty nifty.

The production values are quite high. Settings, customes, the vast aerial sweeps of Paris under siege... is all pretty impressive.

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by Alcuin

It’s on the History Channel, but it seems more like an historical novel. Does it follow real history, or is it spun of whole cloth? And if it does follow actual history, how closely?

I don't think the producers ever claimed that it was a documentary. Just because History Channel is in on producing it doesn't mean it has to follow history verbatim according to Viking sagas. It is a drama. It is based on history, and they have used the historical points well in their production. The timelines and costuming and the characters aren't 100% accurate, etc.. Still, it is quite entertaining. I also think Kathryn Winnick would have made an most excellent Eowyn.