Vikings: Valhalla has finished with its third season. Set 100 years after season 6 of Vikings, it tells notable stories from the final years of the Viking Age, with many changes made for narrative and dramatic purposes. The show introduces viewers to characters such as Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksdottir, Harald Sigurdsson, King Canute and Emma of Normandy, focusing on the conflict between pagans and Christians. However, most of the stories remain inconclusive.
Season 2 ended with Leif and Harald in Constantinople, Freydis taking over Jomsborg, King Canute returning to England, and Emma discovering Godwin’s plan to infiltrate the royal family. Season 3 reunited them, and introduced new characters such as Erik the Red and Olaf’s son Magnus, but not all of the main characters survived, leaving unfinished stories for those who did.
Funeral of King Canute
In Vikings: Valhalla season 3, King Canute’s role becomes more important due to his deteriorating health after he visits the Vatican to negotiate with the Pope. Since he knew he would die soon, he summoned his sons, Emma’s sons, and his son HarthaCanute to Kattegat to decide who would take the throne of England after his death.
King Canute died in England with Emma by his side. Godwin told her of his plan to join the royal family, to ensure that one of their sons would become king. He was given an official Christian funeral, attended by Godwin, Emma, and the king’s courtiers.
Canute received a second private Viking funeral from Emma, attended by her Viking warriors. This Viking funeral honoured Canute’s Viking heritage and his place as the first Viking king of England. There is no historical record of Cnut the Great, buried in the Old Minster, Winchester, receiving a Viking funeral. During the English Civil War, Roundhead troops scattered Cnut’s bones, but after the monarchy was restored, they were gathered and placed in his chest.
Who succeeded King Canute?
Canute’s son Harefoot fought Emma’s son Edward to prove his physical strength to the king of England. Emma prevented Harefoot from killing Edward, but the battle did not determine a successor. Canute decided that Harthacanute would be king of Denmark, Harefoot would be Harthacanute’s regent, Edward and Alfred would be sent to Normandy, Sven would rule Norway, and Emma would rule England.
Emma requested Edward to rule England after Canute’s death, but Godwin prevented her from conveying her message to Edward and made Harefoot king instead. To avoid losing the throne, Vikings: Valhalla hinted that Emma and Harefoot got together, even though he was her stepson. In reality, Harthacnut took over the rule in Denmark after Cnut, but Magnus Olafsson took power after the war with Scandinavia.
Emma fled to Bruges in England under pressure from Harefoot, who took the throne in 1037 and ruled until his death in 1040. Harthacnut took the throne in 1040, bringing the crowns of Denmark and England together. After Harthacnut’s death, he was succeeded by Magnus in Denmark and Edward the Confessor in England. Edward died without an heir, so was succeeded by Godwin’s second son Harold Godwinson.
Harald eventually became the king of Norway
Vikings: Valhalla Since season 1, Harald had aimed to take over the throne of Norway, but he faced opposition from his half-brother Olaf Haraldsson. Olaf’s death in season 2 opens the way for Harald, as Canute’s King Sven had Queen Elfgifu as regent and Olaf’s son Magnus could claim the throne.
Harald, a Norwegian nobleman who served Emperor Romanos in Constantinople, was framed for the emperor’s murder and sentenced to death. He became cold and ruthless, confronted Maniakes and killed him in front of Empress Zoe. Harald fled to form his army and arrived in Kattegat after the murder of Sven, who claimed the throne of Norway.
The jarls agreed that Magnus and Harald were entitled to the throne, but Magnus had three conditions: the consecration of Olaf’s temple, Harald’s promise never to return to Norway’s old ways, and the burning of the “pagan witch” Freydis. Leif rescued Freydis during her execution, and Harald confronted Magnus, imprisoning him and revealing himself to be Harald Hardrada.
Harald Hardrada, who became king of Norway, ruled together with his nephew Magnus. After Magnus’ death, Sven inherited Denmark, and Harald took control of Norway. Harald declared himself king of Norway and Denmark, launching violent raids on the Danish coasts to dislodge Sven. Despite being victorious in most of his attacks, he was never able to successfully take over Denmark.
In 1064, Harald and Sven reached a peace agreement and retained their kingdoms. Harald, known for his cruelty and power struggles, sent warnings to his people not to disobey. He maintained control through a private standing army and was known as a “hard ruler.” Harald’s death during the Battle of Stamford Bridge marked the end of the Viking Age.
Will there be a season 4 of Vikings: Valhalla?
Vikings: Valhalla, despite only being planned to last three seasons, left many unfinished stories for its main characters. Leif and Freydis were last seen heading to the Golden Land while Stigger was found by Harald Jr., but it is unclear whether Freydis returned for her son. Harald took over as king, but his reign will not be shown for another season.
Emma’s future was uncertain, and Godwin realized his mistake. The loose ends and unanswered questions left by Season 3 will be resolved by historical records, with some characters like Harald Jr. left to the audience’s imagination.
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