HVITSERK: TRUE STORY AND SITUATION IN VIKINGS - ARTE - 2024

Hvitserk or Hvitsärk (born 774) was a Viking warrior nicknamed White Shirt. Several sources assure that it was Halfdan himself, one of the sons of Ragnar Lodbrock. In the Nordic sagas it is common to find him as Hvitrsek, while in the Anglo-Saxon chronicles Halfdan is named, therefore historians tended to assume him as a single individual.

Being faithful to the Anglo-Saxon sources, Hvitserk was one of the leaders of the Great Pagan Army, and was present in some of the most important conquests of this Viking army, such as those of Northumbria, East Anglia and northern Mercia.

Hvitserk in the Vikings series. Source: Youtube

Dark pagans

In the year 871 it occupied the city of London. He was king in Dublin, although he was weak in that territory. Back in York he was deposed, as he was also king in this region. Around 877 he returned to Ireland with the desire to regain Dublin; however, he collided with a feared army that some sources named the Righteous Pagans.

Hvitserk himself led an army that he called the Dark Pagans. These sides were enemies and clashed in Great Britain and Ireland. It is said that Hvitserk and his army were defeated at Strangford Lough and that the Viking as leader was burned alive.

According to the Tale of the Sons of Ragnar saga, Hvitserk inherited, when his father Ragnar died, Jutland and Wendland.

Hvitserk in the Vikings series

Personality

In the Vikings series, Hvitserk is the son of Ragnar Lodbrock and Aslaug, born in 797. At the beginning of the series he is seen next to Ubbe, one of his brothers, even very loyal and admirer of his. But with the years everything changes, perhaps because of Ubbe's attitude and the dominance he exercises over him.

By moving away from him Hvitserk now tries to be faithful to Ivar, his other brother, although the latter constantly mocks his personality; It is also notable that he takes a grudge and hatred after Ivar murders Margrethe, his former lover.

Strong viking

Hvitserk grew up estranged from his father Ragnar, so at times he seems angry. He laughs when he is with his brothers, but over the years he becomes sadistic, his personality tends to resemble Ivar more than Ubbe.

Hvitserk grows up and becomes a Viking feared by all, capable of fighting hand to hand with King Aethelwulf and assassinating Guthrum in the middle of the battlefield.

He is a warrior who when not in battle can feel lost, without a direction in his life. He is in a continuous search for something that gives him life, that makes him feel alive, so he must constantly find glory in an army.

Season 2

Hvitserk is born in this season, in a period between episodes 1 and 2. His childhood is shown next to his brothers, until he must leave Kattegat due to the Borg invasion.

He flees with his mother Aslaug and Ubbe, Rollo, Siggy and Helga. Then they all meet in England and Ragnar, the father, with the help of Lathgertha, recovers Kattegat.

Season 3

This season Hvitserk is older and is seen next to Ubbe, playing. At one point they both leave for a lake that is frozen. Aslaug, the mother, will call them but they will ignore her.

When the boys arrive at the lake, they are unlucky because in one place the ice breaks and they fall. However, Siggy, Björn's daughter, comes to their aid and, with the help of Harbard, manages to rescue them. Siggy nevertheless loses his life.

Season 4

Hvitserk and Ubbe receive the arm rings from their father Ragnar. He tells them to go to Paris with him but that they will not fight. The Viking army will have a great defeat in the fight against the Franks and they will return to Kattegat. Ragnar returns home after 10 years of being missing.

Discussion with Ragnar

Hvitserk is a boy who grew up lacking due to the lack of his father, but is now a strong and skilled warrior, although he does not hide his resentment with Ragnar. There is an argument with Ivar because Ragnar did not warn anyone about the attack on the Viking settlement of Wessex.

Hvitserk is actually very angry and promises to kill his father, although Ivar defends him. Then Ragnar confronts Hvitserk, yells at him, asks him to kill him, but his son does not move and is unable to do so.

They argue about the return of their father and he asks them all to go to England. Hvitserk tells him that he cannot because he is sailing the Mediterranean with Björn, Harald, Floki and Halfdan.

Once Floki's ships are ready, they set out for France, to negotiate with his uncle Rollo to allow them to sail the Mediterranean. Hvitserk is introduced to his cousins: William, Marcellus and Celsa. Although they are locked up, Rollo frees them to accompany him.

Wedding with Margrethe

Sail the Mediterranean with Björn and the others and loot and steal what they can most in Spain. Odin informs them that Ragnar is dead, so they return to Kattegat. Hvitserk discovers on his return that Ubbe has freed Margrethe and they have married.

He asks that he too can be with the girl because he loves her. They form the Great Pagan Army to kill Aelle and thus avenge the death of Ragnar. Then they capture King Ecbert and Ivar wants the blood eagle applied to him.

Floki decides to leave the Pagan Army and Hvitserk and the others fire him. Then Ivar convinces his brother to attack York. The operation is a complete success. Ubbe and Hvitserk surprise Ivar by getting a tattoo and with bodyguards.

Then comes an attack from King Aethelwulf, they attack the city before some carelessness of Ivar. The Saxons suffer a crushing defeat and then negotiate with Ubbe and Hvitserk as Ivar wishes to continue the battle.

Fight between armies

Hvitserk and Ivar meet in the sewers of York and manage to surprise the Saxons. Bishop Heahmund is taken prisoner and taken to Kattegat. Later, the forces of Ivar and Hvitserk enter into conflict with the army of Lathgertha, Björn and Ubbe. They try to make peace, but Ivar doesn't want to and they get into a bloody fight.

Season 5

King Harald, Ivar, Hvitserk and others try to conquer Kattegat, having to face their brothers.

References

1. Cinemablend (2018). Vikings Spoilers. Why Ivar's Sacrifice May Not Be Who It Seems. Recovered from cinemablend.com
2. CultureOcio (2018). Vikings: Hvitserk faces Ivar in the 5 × 3 preview. Recovered from culturaocio.com
3. FANDOM (sf). Hvitserk Recovered from vikings.fandom.com
4. Gillibrand, A. (2018). Vikings 5B Episode 13 Review: “God” Ivar Promises to Sacrifice Hvitserk as Ragnar's Other Son Returns. Recovered from metro.co.uk
5. Gurung, R. (2018). "Vikings": Why Hvitserk, Son of Ragnar Lodbrock, Deserves His Own Storyline. Recovered from meaww.com