Leif Erikson is one of several historical figures introduced in Vikings: Valhalla, however his portrayal of the real figure is unreliable.
Leif Erikson, one of the key characters in the Vikings: Valhalla television series, is essentially unrecognizably from his historical self. Leif feels out of place as a character in the events being narrated, despite the fact that the program has used a number of actual figures and blended them into its condensed recounting of historical events, much like Vikings did before it. Leif’s personality and connections are accurately depicted in the novel thus far, but he still differs significantly from the Sagas that describe his actual deeds.
A show called Vikings seems to be highly known for both its extraordinary disdain for historical chronology and for taking many artistic liberties with historical authenticity. Valhalla makes the same factual errors as Vikings, at least in terms of the show’s disrespect for historical accuracy, despite having the chance to prevent them this time. Leif Erikson, one of the key characters in the new program, continues to serve as the brilliant light of an example in this situation. Leif Erikson was indeed a famous Greenlander with his own Saga, but the presentation undersells the real causes for his notoriety.
Like its prior program, Vikings: Valhalla continues the themes of political intrigue, conflict, and conquest over the kingdoms of England. Leif is shown as a member of a cast of characters that work together to further the goals of the program. While it’s clear that this is done to make the storyline of the program compact and cohesive, it comes at the expense of characters like Leif who are not only taken from their historically correct physical regions but also from their historical timeline and real-life adventures.
Leif Erikson: Was He Real? Erik the Red Link and a Real Life Person
Leif Erikson was a genuine person, despite the myth departing greatly from his actual deeds. Leif, a native of Greenland and the son of Erik the Red, is well remembered for his extraordinary sailing prowess as well as his eventual discovery of Vinland, which is today better known as North America. Leif’s family, however, was most likely derived from those who found Iceland, where he was most likely born, therefore exploration and discovery were not exclusive to him.
A figure named Erik, thought to represent Erik the Red, appeared in Vikings’ latter seasons, particularly while Bjorn was present. This was done as a nod to the original Vikings television series. Given the time leap between the two programs and narrative suggestions that Leif’s father Erik is either still alive in Greenland or is resting there in Vikings: Valhalla, it now appears implausible that the two characters are related between the two; otherwise, Leif would have to be much older.
However, he was conspicuously absent from the first episode, in which Erik passed away. Leif, like his father, was a skilled sailor and explorer who dared to explore new lands with his sister, Freydis, to carry on what had become a sort of unofficial family tradition.
Leif’s Greatest True Story Was Already Taken by the Vikings
This argument may already seem familiar to people who are familiar with the history of the Vikings but are not familiar with Leif’s tale. Any Vikings watchers who are familiar with Leif’s background would understand why Valhalla may have a connection to Ubbe Ragnarsson, one of the heroes from the first season. This is due to the fact that Ubbe Ragnarsson, at the conclusion of the first series, independently found North America and appeared to settle there without much of a shared intention to return to the old world.
Leif’s story in the sequel may have promise, but what he is most famous for in history has already been done as a result of one of the many liberties the first program took with its story. In other words, at least in the same timeframe of the series, Ubbe, or more precisely Floki, stole Leif’s honor as the first Viking to explore North America. While Ubbe did not start a colony or establish the pattern for probably decades of travels for trade goods, it is possible that his discovery of the regions diminished the authors’ desire to travel back there any time soon.
Was Leif Erikson a mighty warrior of the Vikings?
Leif is portrayed as a renowned and skillful fighter in Vikings: Valhalla, and although having never bled human blood before the start of the series, he appears to be accustomed to hunting and may even have engaged in combat with polar bears. While this makes for fascinating conversation for the show and gives context to his fighting prowess, which is required by the plot’s action, the actual Leif Erikson was not renowned as a Viking fighter. Instead, he was more frequently acknowledged as a great and sage explorer. Although the actual Leif may have been a skilled fighter, this trait was not at the core of who he was. Instead, he was known for his strength, good looks, and intellect.
In this way, Leif represents Ragnar’s legacy because the great Viking not only established norms for warfare and carnage but also for settlement, exploration, and the acceptance of Christianity. In his actual Sagas, Leif succeeds in all of the latter, discovering Vinland, founding a trading colony, and even converting to Christianity while in Norway. Even if Valhalla left out some of Leif’s, if not all, of his most daring and thrilling accomplishments, it still has the power to transmit this aspect of Ragnar’s heritage via Leif, who cares less about conquering than most and yet has room to display his adventures in the performance.
What Valhalla Gets Right About the Real Story of Leif Erikson
While many of the authentic elements of Leif Erikson’s real and exciting life appear to be missing from Vikings: Valhalla, some of them are accurate. Leif’s sailing and navigational skills are similar to Ragnar’s in the Vikings, and there is still a chance that viewers may witness him voyage to the Americas. Leif’s skill as a ship captain in the show makes it seem improbable that he wasn’t trying to hint to a far voyage in the program’s future.
The inclusion of Freydis Eriksdottir and the name of Erik the Red, however, may be more significant. In reality, Freydis was Leif’s sister; she even traveled with him to North America and Vinland and made an appearance in his Saga. Erik is also described as a skilled fighter who was living in exile in Greenland as a result of murder, both of which are accurate to the individual’s real-life accounts.
Despite the fact that Vikings: Valhalla is based on actual events, all of the historical details have been changed. However, there still appears to be a desire to weave the Vikings’ actual history into the main plot of the fiction. The early plot beats that the program does get right establish precedent for a more authentic rendition of Leif’s story in the future, even though the show has so far fallen short of giving the viewer much of what has gained Leif so much historical prominence. Even if Leif Erikson from Vikings: Valhalla is still largely unlike the real Leif Erikson, there is yet possibility for improvement in future seasons.
