Top 10 Most Epic Vikings Battles

“Revenge”
We might be bending the truth a little to call this a battle because it’s an absolute slaughter! Although most of it doesn’t even happen on screen, it’s still satisfying. After King Aella has Ragnar executed, his sons rally every Norse king and army they can to come back for revenge. Aella arrives full of confidence, especially after seeing how apparently small the “heathen army” is. That’s why it’s so rewarding to see his smug smile slip as more and more Vikings swell the hillside. Seeing all the sons of Ragnar and many major characters united and yelling Ragnar’s name is pure hype. No force in the universe could’ve saved Aella from brutal revenge!

“The Profit and the Loss”
Following his first raid on Paris, Ragnar and several other Viking earls and kings return for another attack. However, this time, Ragnar’s brother Rollo is waiting, having joined the Franks. Rollo has constructed several forts along the river Seine. The original plan was for Ragnar and his allies to split their forces to attack from multiple points. But everything goes sideways once Rollo unveils a chain linking the two forts. He proceeds to set enemy ships on fire while hitting Lagertha’s forces with crossbow bolts. It’s a disastrous battle for the Vikings, but the spectacle is still excellent.

“Invasion”
During Ragnar and King Horik’s invasion of Wessex, the group is relaxing when they’re suddenly ambushed. One of Horik’s sons immediately loses his life. The Vikings are forced to form shield walls while their foes expend their arrows. It’s a short, but ferocious skirmish that marks one of the few times that the English take the Vikings by surprise. This battle also marks Athelstan’s first real fight. Although it may be small in the grand scheme of things, clever uses of tactics, such as the opening of the shield wall to trap the English soldiers, make it a memorable one.

“Ragnarok”
Ragnar’s sons have fought amongst themselves plenty of times. But perhaps the most memorable bout is the one that sees Bjorn Ironside try to retake Kattegat from King Ivar. It’s a massive two-pronged assault on the city, with Bjorn assaulting a gate held by Ivar while Harald and Hvitserk attack elsewhere. There are siege weapons, wall climbing, and even a flamethrower…of sorts. The initial assault sees Ivar victorious, as his mind proves a match for Bjorn’s might when he traps his brother within the walls. However, those same walls are penetrated later when Ivar’s wife betrays him and allows the attackers inside. This battle marks the downfall of Ivar, his exile, and the rise of Bjorn as king of Kattegat.

“Kill the Queen”
Not every awesome battle in “Vikings” involves, well, Vikings! King Ecbert has plans for Mercia. In order to achieve his ends, he needs Queen Kwenthrith, who is being held hostage by rebels. Prince Aethelwulf and a small group of soldiers are sent in to save her. While the bulk of the forces engage in a battle at the gate, Aethelwulf gets into an extended fight with a man sent to kill the queen. At the same time, Kwenthrith fights off the jailors that attempt to end her life and the life of her son. It’s a desperate and exhausting fight for all involved that does a superb job of immersing you in the action.

“Hell”
King Alfred and Ubbe made for an extremely dangerous team in the Battle of Marton. Ubbe comes up with a devious plan to use against the Vikings, selecting a burnt field for their battlefield. After it’s set on fire, the Vikings are trapped by the flames with little hope of retreat. The battle is notable for important story beats, like the death of Bishop Heahmund and the disappearance of Lagertha. But what really makes it stand out is the striking imagery, beautiful music, and breathtaking cinematography. It’s a pretty damn gorgeous battle!

“What Happens in the Cave”
When another force of Vikings is set to attack Alfred’s kingdom, Ubbe goes to negotiate. He’s in favor of giving up land in exchange for loyalty. While two of three royals present at negotiations agree with the plan, King Frodo does not. In order to reach a decision, they engage in single combat. The two are incredibly well matched. While Ubbe gets in a few early hits, both fighters soon become so injured they’re barely able to walk. This fight is one of the most lengthy and well-choreographed one-on-one battles in the whole series. By the end of the bout, you’ll be chanting Ubbe’s name right along with the spectators.

“Homeland”
Three words: Ivar…the Boneless! Okay, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. After sons of Ragnar capture the town of York, the Saxons, led by Aethelwulf and Bishop Heahmund, attack. The first half of the battle sees the Saxons fall into various smoke-shrouded, deadly traps. But when Ivar takes to the field, that’s when things get crazy! After being knocked off his chariot, he intimidates the Saxons by proclaiming his name and yelling at them. The fact that Ivar spends the rest of the rainy battle laughing and shouting in deranged glee is both awesome and terrifying. The strategy, the atmosphere, and his sheer, brutal charisma make this a fantastic clash.

“The Last Ship”
Undeterred by his defeat by Rollo on the Seine, Ragnar has his forces portage their boats around the forts. This leads to a battle on the water with platforms attached to boats. Every major character present gets a moment to shine. The atmospheric and haunting music lends the battle a sense of weight. Yet the highlight is the final confrontation between Ragnar and Rollo. The two brother’s last fight begins with swords, but soon devolves into a fist fight, as each beats the other within an inch of their lives. Neither one dies, but Ragnar is forced to retreat and both they and the show are forever changed by the event.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Battle of Wessex, “The Choice”
Bjorn Becomes Ironside & Rollo Is Nearly Killed

Battle on the Beach, “Trial”
A Short Battle That Perfectly Illustrates Viking Tactics

Battle of Repton, “The Reckoning”
The Sons of Ragnar Defeat the Son of Ecbert

Second Battle of York, “The Prisoner”
That Hammer Viking is DEFINITELY Going to Valhalla!

Civil War, “The Joke,” “A Simple Story” & “Moments of Vision”
Lives Are Lost, Visions Are Had, & Ivar Rises to Power

“To the Gates!”, “Breaking Point,” & “The Dead”
The end of season 3 sees Ragnar war in Paris. It is so amazing that we couldn’t choose just one part of the massive battle – we had to include the whole thing! The opening engagement features huge siege towers assaulting the walls of the city in a spectacle that’s equal to any film. Then there are the smaller attacks on the covered bridge, featuring a grisly spiked wheel used by the defenders. Finally, there’s Ragnar’s brilliant plan to fake his own demise and infiltrate the city in his own coffin! Not only do most of the characters get stand-out moments, but the siege is crucial to the story. In terms of scale and scope, “Vikings” has never been more epic!