A Friday Quiz – Historical Fact in Fiction

It is unclear if there was an actual single person named Ragnar Lothbrok or if the legend is a composite of many different people. Rollo was a clear historical figure and was the Count of Rouen (ruler of Normandy).

Rollo, baptized as a Christian, became Robert, the first Count of Rouen. He ruled over lands that became known as Normandy and his decedents held the title of Duke of Normandy. Rollo’s great great great grandson, William I (the Conquerer), Duke of Normandy became the king of England in 1066 and the House of Normandy ruled England for over 100 years until 1167.

Alfred and Æthelred both appear as the two childern of Ætherwulf, son of King Ecbert in Vikings. Ubba, known as Ubbe in Vikings is the son of Ragnar Lothbrok. While Earl Ragnar shares the same first name as Ragnar Lothbrok from Vikings, he’s clearly not the same character.

The final victory went to a claimant of the Lancastrian party, Henry Tudor, who defeated the last Yorkist king, Richard III, at the Battle of Bosworth Field. After assuming the throne as Henry VII, he married Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter and heiress of Edward IV, thereby uniting the two claims. Henry VI was the father of Henry VIII, the primary focus of Showtime’s “The Tudors”. The House of Tudor ruled England and Wales from 1485 until 1603.

Björn Ironside was a legendary king of Sweden who lived sometime in the 9th century.  He is said to have been the first ruler of the Munsö dynasty.

Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, installed at his sister’s request by Pope Alexander VI, ultimate ascends to the Papacy during Henry VIII’s reign.

Charles Edward Stuart was the primary force behind trying to organize the Jacobite Rebellion that Jaime and Claire are attempting to stop before the inevitable slaughter of the Scottish Highlanders.

Winston Churchill first sends Sam Neil’s character after Tommy as a part of an action to stop the sale of guns and then forces him to be in his service after saving his life.