re: The Last Kingdom is a great series

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For me, when they introduced Ivar the Boneless as a belly crawling psychopath without actual bones in his legs, Vikings went to crap. That time period isn’t well documented, but what little is known, Ivar was a major war leader that eventually dies in Ireland.

While there is no way to know the actual history of that era, I much prefer Bernard Cornwell’s version in his Saxon Tales novels about Utred. At least he admits where he takes liberties to fit his story. Plus, Ivar and Ubba are real badass Vikings in his books.

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Remember that Vikings also takes into account parts of the Volsunga Saga and the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok. It takes it and kind of mixes it with history. Lots of liberties are taken, though. Rollo wasn't Ragnar's brother, and didn't found Normandy until like WAY later. The biggest liberties I think they take is with the timeline. But it's a good starting off point if you want to read about the history.

I love both shows. I especially love how Vikings attempts to use some of the Old languages in the dialogue. My biggest issue with both shows is the fricking costumes. Hollywood is obsessed with dressing historical figures in this BDSM leather crap. All the vikings (in both shows look ridiculous), as well as the Anglo-Saxons. The reason this pisses me off so much is that it's super easy to get the wardrobe historically accurate and you don't have to sacrifice the story or anything for it.