The Last Kingdom vs Vikings: Which Show is More Historically Accurate?

In the realm of popular entertainment, both The Last Kingdom and Vikings offer captivating depictions of the Viking era and the Anglo-Saxon conquest of England. However, the question of which show is more historically accurate remains a matter of debate. Let's delve into the details to see where these shows stand in terms of accuracy and entertainment.

Comparing The Last Kingdom and Vikings: Historical Accuracy

The Last Kingdom and Vikings are both set during a crucial period in history: the Viking invasions of England and Europe. As historical fiction, both series aim to capture the essence of this era while also entertaining their audience. In my personal opinion, The Last Kingdom generally leans more towards historical accuracy, though some liberties have been taken for the sake of storytelling.

The Last Kingdom is often considered more accurate in its historical portrayal, especially when compared to Vikings. Nevertheless, both series offer enjoyable viewing experiences as long as we understand they are creations of fiction rather than documentaries.

Accuracy in The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom is known for its historical basis. However, it is not flawless and contains some inaccuracies, likely for the sake of entertainment. According to various historical records, the show maintains accuracy about 70% of the time.

Mythbusting Vikings: Historical Inaccuracies

Vikings, however, contains a significant number of historical inaccuracies, particularly in its timeline and character interactions. Here are a few examples:

The timeline is flawed. Ragnar begins attacking Lindisfarne in 793 and dies in 865. His sons' attacks on England in the 15-20 years during the show's timeline would have been nearly impossible with a 70-year gap in between. Characters and their roles are misrepresented. For instance, Ubbe never helped the Saxons; he died fighting against Alfred, and King Harald was never in England. Bjorn did not lead the Great Army, and both King Harald and Ragnar never knew each other, let alone have a close relationship. Key people and events are often omitted or misrepresented. For example, Horik was actually the King while Ragnar attacked France, and the one did not kill the other. Guthrum Torvi's son was one of the leaders of the Great Army and was the King of East Anglia. Another example is Odo, who was an elected king for a time, not merely a count. Alfred and Aethelred's other brothers are either omitted or not mentioned, and Aethelred did not use to be a king.

Historical Accuracy in The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom is generally more historically accurate, particularly in its timeline and key figures. It is based on historical records and maintains a high level of accuracy for its setting and characters:

The attack on Lindisfarne and the attack on Paris were about 10 years apart in real history, with Lindisfarne occurring in 793 and Paris in 845. Ragnar's death was in 865. Ragnar and Rollo were not brothers; Ivar was Ragnar's oldest son, not Bjorn. The Rus invasion did not happen as depicted in the show.

Regarding King Alfred's lineage and West Saxon history, the show's portrayal is also lackluster. Ecgbert, the King of Wessex, ruled for about 37 years and was also king of Mercia. He died in 839, while the show portrays him as dying in 865. Thelwulf reigned for 19 years, yet the show depicts him reigning for about 5 years. Judith, who was a Frankish princess, was married to Thelwulf and not a Northumbrian princess as the show suggests.

Furthermore, the show incorrectly portrays Alfred as directly succeeding his father with him being about 18 years old, while in reality, Alfred was only 8 years old when his father died and never met his grandfather. The show also incorrectly depicts Thelwald, Thelberht, and Thelred as kings of Wessex, East Anglia, and Mercia, which were not achieved until King Edward, the son of Alfred, reigned from 899 to 924.

Conclusion

While neither series can be considered a substitute for historical education, The Last Kingdom is undoubtedly more accurate than Vikings. Both shows are entertaining but should be viewed with a critical eye. The Last Kingdom maintains a higher degree of historical accuracy, especially in its portrayal of key figures like Egbert, Alfred, and the House of Wessex. But both shows have their merits and have sparked a renewed interest in these historic figures.

Related Keywords

Vikings TV series, The Last Kingdom, Anglo-Saxon era, Viking invasions