Why is Jarl Haakon female?

She shared: "Haakon is fictional, purely fictional. So it's not like a male character, it's a fictional character but of course, she's inspired and based on both male and female characters, and I think the writers did a wonderful job of sort of putting something together that could have been a historical character."

Was Jarl Haakon gender swapped?

Building upon the groundwork laid by the history-bending castings of Anne Boleyn and Queen Charlotte, the historically white and male Norweigan ruler Jarl Haakon has been both race and gender swapped for his appearance in Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla.

Were there ever female jarls?

The daily life of a female jarl (aristocrat)

Instead of handling tasks themselves, they were more likely to have servants and thralls to carry out assigned tasks. She might assist in managing the accumulated wealth of the household, or she might have amassed a wealth of goods and influence of her own.

Is Jarl Haakon played by a black woman?

Some were likely surprised, though, to see that one of the new characters populating the show and leading the community in Kattegat is a Black woman, Jarl Estrid Haakon, played by Caroline Henderson.

Who is the black female Viking Jarl?

There is the case of Jarl Haakon (Caroline Henderson), ruler of Kattegat during the events of Vikings: Valhalla season 1 and the first Black Viking ruler in the universe of Vikings.

The Black Female Jarl in Vikings: Why You Shouldn't Care

Why is Haakon black?

The background behind the character is that her Viking grandfather fell in love with her royal African grandmother in Alexandria, Egypt and returned to Kattegat which Haakon rules over in the show.

Was Jarl Haakon white?

There was a white male Jarl Haakon who ruled during this period, but Vikings: Valhalla wanted to highlight just how diverse Viking culture had gotten by this time in history.

Was there ever a black Viking?

There is no historical account of the “first” Black Viking. But it is widely known that in the time of the Vikings, other cultures were also traveling and exploring. Historians believe that many dark-skinned people came to Scandinavia voluntarily, and assimilated into the culture willingly.

Who was the real Jarl Haakon?

Haakon Sigurdsson (Old Norse: Hákon Sigurðarson [ˈhɑːˌkon ˈsiɣˌurðɑz̠ˌson], Norwegian: Håkon Sigurdsson; c. 937–995), known as Haakon Jarl (Old Norse: Hákon jarl), was the de facto ruler of Norway from about 975 to 995.

Who was the most feared female Viking?

We have arguably saved the best for last, considering the fact that Freydis Eiríksdóttir has been included in numerous historical accounts, and is therefore considered the most famous female Viking warrior.

Is Estrid Haakon real?

While other characters are based on real people, Estrid Haakon is an invented character, whose Viking grandfather met her royal African grandmother while in the great trading city of Alexandria, Egypt. They fell in love and returned to Kattegat, eventually passing on ruling duties to her.

How did Vikings treat their wives?

Compared to women elsewhere in the same period, Viking women had more freedom. However, there were limits to this. Even if women had a relatively strong position, they were officially inferior to men. They could not appear in court or receive a share of the man's inheritance.

Was there ever a female Viking ruler?

While the historical record, so far, suggests that men were more often chieftains and battle leaders in Viking times, women could — and did — rise to the ranks of queen, revered warrior and merchant.

Who is Jarl Estrid Haakon based on?

In History

While Estrid Haakon clearly doesn't resemble any particular historical figure or character in the sagas, it could be argued that she is based on a combination of the historical Jarl Eiríkr Hákonarson and his sons. Eiríkr Hákonarson was a vassal ruler of King Canute, Earl of Lade, and governor of Norway.

Could Viking men have more than one wife?

Sagas and runic inscriptions show that families were formed by monogamous marriages. A man may have had relationships, and children, with several women, but when he died, only one wife was acknowledged.

How accurate is Valhalla Netflix?

this is historical fiction, people. That means some plotlines and characters have been altered to make for a great show, but much of it is based in fact, including the minute details of costumes, sets and weapons. The Vikings didn't have a written language, so much of their world is up for interpretation.

Were there any female berserkers?

Berserker brides

Yet surprisingly, according to Pentz, women are mysteriously referenced in berserker legends. “Actually, the term 'berserkir brides' is mentioned in the medieval texts,” he said. “What it covers is absolutely uncertain, but some [sources] say female Berserkir. Others say giantesses.”

Was there ever a black king in Europe?

History confirms that the Moors ruled in Europe — primarily Spain and Portugal — for almost 700 years. They were known for their influence in European culture, but not many people know that the Moors were actually Europeans of African descent.

What ethnicity is Viking blood?

Who was a Viking? If we are speaking ethnically, the closest people to a Viking in modern-day terms would be the Danish, Norwegians, Swedish, and Icelandic people. Interestingly though, it was common for their male Viking ancestors to intermarry with other nationalities, and so there is a lot of mixed heritage.

What did the Vikings call Africa?

In Old Norse sources, such as sagas and runestones, Serkland (also Særkland, Srklant, Sirklant, Serklat, etc.)

Who was the most famous black Viking?

Geirmund the Black-Skinned in Ireland

Geirmund is known as the most renowned Viking of the West.

Who was the last true Viking king?

Harald Hardrada (Harald III Sigurdsson) is often known as "the last real Viking," and maybe he was what many understood by a real Viking king.

Who was the last living Viking king?

Harald Hardrada ruled Norway from 1046 to 1066. Whichever way you spell his name, here is the story of the last great Viking ruler. 1066 was a major turning point in British history as Anglo-Saxon rule came to an end, to be replaced by the modern monarchy that persists to this day.

What is Kattegat based on?

Kattegat on the small screen

Based on the sagas of Ragnar Lodbork, the series follows his rise to power as well as his adventures around the Viking Era milieu, from the British Isles to the Kievan Rus, from Sicily to North America.