History Channel Vikings: Real or Imagined? Quiz

Answer: Sagas

Sagas are stories that were told about Viking voyages, battles, and lifestyle. They are usually realistic, however, they are sometimes romanticized. It is generally believed that Viking sagas were passed down by word of mouth before they were eventually written down, so there was opportunity for embellishment.

Some sources argue that Ragnar Lothbrok was a mythological character, but then turn around and say that he was known to father many sons. That means he was not mythological! What probably happened is that as a great man his career gathered several fables.

There are many sources that speak of his exploits including the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle", which dates from the nineth century, and "Gesta Danorum", which dates from the twelfth. It appears that he lived sometime during the ninth century, and might have become king after successfully participating in several raids and conquests.

Answer: Lagertha

In Viking folklore, a shield maiden was a women who had chosen to fight as a warrior. Although they are often mentioned in the sagas, scholars do not agree about their existence. The story of Lagertha was told in the twelfth century by Saxo Grammaticus in "Gesta Danorum". Apparently Ragnar Lothbrok invaded Norway when he heard about the murder of his grandfather, Siward.

He met Lagertha in the battle that ensued. In fact, Saxo says that Lagertha had the courage of a man and fought in the front among the bravest.

It looks like Ragnar and Lagertha had a bit of a rocky marriage, however, Lagertha remained loyal to Ragnar and gave him military assistance even after he divorced her to take another wife.

Answer: Aslaug

According to the saga, "Tale of Ragnar Lodbrok", that was written in the thirteenth century, Aslaug was discovered bathing by some of Ragnar's men. They were so distracted they let the bread they were baking burn. When asked by Ragnar they told him about the woman, and he resolved to meet her, telling her "to arrive neither dressed nor undressed, neither hungry nor full and neither alone nor in company". Aslaug arrived at the appointed place dressed in a fishing net, eating an onion, accompanied by a dog.

Their marriage is said to have resulted in the birth of four sons.

Answer: Björn

The "Tale of Ragnar's Sons" says that Björn was the son of Ragnar and Aslaug. Björn Ironside led raids on the Seine River in the 850's, and in the Mediterranean in 860. One source says he and his men took the Italian town of Pisa, along with Sicily and areas in North Africa.

After successful raiding, he returned to Scandanavia a very rich man, and became king upon his father's death. In the early 1700's a barrow was found on the island of Munsö, which some believe to be his grave.

Answer: Rollo

Rollo, who lived c. 846 - c. 932, was baptized with the Christian name Robert. The "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" gives the earliest account of Rollo's life. According to the "Chronicle", Rollo was the son of the King of Denmark. However, the "Historia Norvegiae", written in Norway at the end of the twelfth century, claims that Rollo was the son of an Earl (Jarl) in western Norway.

In 885 and again in 911, Rollo was one of the Viking leaders who helped Sigfred, the second official King of Denmark, lay siege to Paris.

After being defeated Rollo made an agreement with King Charles: He was baptized, took the Christian name Robert, and pledged his feudal allegiance to the king in exchange for land. In 922 King Charles was overthrown by Rollo, who became King Robert I, bringing the Norman culture to France.

He was the great-great-great-grandfather of William the Conqueror.

Answer: Alfred

Considered to be the first Saxon king, Egbert (Ecgberht, Ecgbert, or Ecgbriht) lived for a time at the court of Charlemagne, and it is believed that it was with his help that Egbert was able to consolidate his control over Wessex. Crowned king in 802, Egbert remained the "bretwalda", or "Ruler of Britain", until his death in 839.

He was defeated by the Danes at Carhampton in Somerset in 836, and won the battle of Hingston Down in Cornwall against the Vikings in 838.

Answer: False

Æthelstan is believed to be the oldest son of Æthelwulf, who was the only son of King Egbert. Under the authority of his father, Æthelstan was made King of Kent in 839. It is said that in 851 Æthelstan was the commander of a group that won the "first naval battle in recorded English history" against the Vikings at Sandwich, Kent.

Answer: Danes

Horik I was sole King of the Danes from 827 until his death in 854. Because the Franks did not have a successful fleet, the Vikings were able to carry out raids without the threat of retribution. Horik I attacked Hamburg, and destroyed St. Mary's Cathedral there, and that was last of his big raids.

It is said that Horik did not appreciate the successful raids of others, as any successful raider might think they were powerful enough to try and overthrow the king! Apparently that was how Horik viewed Ragnar Lothbrok; after he died, Horik I had his followers massacred.

Answer: Ivar

There is quite a bit of debate as to the suggestion made by the epithet. Was Ivar impotent? Maybe he had great physical flexibility? Some scholars believe that Ivar might have had brittle bone disease. Perhaps he was lame? There is a story about a Viking whose bones shriveled after the plunder of the monastery of Saint-Germain. Ivar, who was described as being big, strong, cruel, and wise, was one of the leaders of the Great Heathen Army that attacked England in 865 to avenge the death of his father.

It is said that Ivar had his men carry him into battle on a shield and fought with a bow and arrow.

Answer: Snake-in-the-Eye

Sigurd was reportedly born with a mark in his left eye, which was described as an "Ouroboros", or snake biting its own tail. Although there is a legend regarding the mark being foretold by his mother, Aslaug, modern scholars believe it was caused by a genetic mutation. Sigurd was one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army that invaded England in 865 after King Ella of Northumbria bragged about killing his Sigurd's father, Ragnar Lothbrok. It is said that the sons of Ragnar captured Ella and sentenced him to die by the "Rista Blodörn" or Blood Eagle.

So let's look at the people and dates! After digging, the only character who doesn't fit into the "Vikings" time frame at all is the historic Rollo; however, even though no record of Ragnar's family beyond a mother and father was found, he could have had a brother as shown in the series. The historic Æthelstan that was found was not a monk, but again there could have been a monk with that name.