Vikings season six will return to History and Amazon Prime Video this autumn. Show creator Michael Hirst confirmed in January this year that season six would be the last ever instalment of the historical drama. Lagertha (played by Katheryn Winnick), was the wife of legendary Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) who was killed off in season four of Vikings. The tales of Lagertha are thought to be identical to the stories of the Norse goddess, Thorgerd but not much is known about how her life came to an end.
How did the real Lagertha die?
According to Viking legend, Lagertha was a Viking shield maiden and ruler in what is now recognised as present-day Norway.
She was also thought to the wife of the infamous Viking King Ragnar Lodbrok.
Lagertha first appeared in the works of chronicler Saxo in the 12th Century.
According to Saxo in his works, Gesta Danorum, Ragnar and Lagertha had one son together, Fridlef, and two daughters whose names are unknown.
She is portrayed as a warrior woman, fighting alongside her husband and other Viking men.
HOW WERE THE VIKINGS DEFEATED?
Ragnar later divorced Lagertha in favour of Thora Borgarhjört, the daughter of King Herald of Sweden.
Unfortunately, there are no accounts of how the real Lagertha actually died.
She is believed to have been born in 795 and died around the mid 9th Century.
According to Saxo, Lagertha brutally murdered her former husband with a spearhead that she had hidden in her dress.
She then took control of his estate and lands and carried on the Lothbrok name.
This is very similar to what happened in Vikings the TV series as Lagertha became Earl Ingstadt.
In the series, Rollo (Clive Standen) and Lagethera become lovers, which did not happen in real life.
Rollo is depicted as Ragnar Lothrbok’s brother which he is not. The real Rollo was born 20 years after Ragnar’s death and by that time, Lagethera, if still alive, would be in her late 60s.
WILL RAGNAR RETURN?
Will Lagertha die in Vikings season 6?
As the cause of death for the real Lagertha remains unknown, anything could happen to her in the show’s final season.
In season four of Vikings, The Seer told Lagertha that the would-be killed by one of Ragnar’s children.
In season five, part B, Ivar The Boneless (Alex Høgh) killed a Lagertha lookalike, so he may carry out the murder at some point.
Fears that Lagertha will be killed in season six were heightened when leaked photos on Reddit teased Lagertha’s funeral.
The image showed a burning pyre being pushed into the river wearing Lagertha’s shield
Katheryn who plays Lagertha even shared the report of the leaked Reddit photos on her Twitter page, sending Vikings fans into meltdown.
HOW WILL VIKINGS SEASON 6 END?
One fan wrote in response to Katheryn sharing the report: “I will not watch if something happens to Lagertha.”
Another tweeted: “Nope can’t do it can’t watch her die to sad.”
A third fan exclaimed: “Nooo plz no, I love Lagatha [sic]. If it’s true then my only hope is that Ragnar is there waiting for her to take her to Valhalla as they so beautifully belonged together in life and in death Plzzz Plzzz. Oh & let us see them reunited Plzzz... “
Speaking to TV Guide in December 2018, Katheryn spoke about her characters fate.
She said: “I feel like since that prophecy, since that meeting with the Seer, I feel like she has gotten to a stage of her life that has a certain amount of peace.
“She’s not acting out of fear. She’s not trying to change fate. If anything, she knows that’s how she’ll go: that one day, a son will kill her. A son of Ragnar will kill Lagertha.
“But it gives her certain a strength and a certain courage, and she definitely goes into every experience being grateful and kind, but also fearless.”
In season six, there will be time a jump where Lagertha will be in her 50s, so it is possible she could possibly die of old age.
The actress told Cinema Blend that Lagertha had not given up fighting in the final season.
She said: “I feel it’s a new chapter of her life. She’s trying to now redefine who she is now as a grandmother. And somebody that used to be a queen, and a warrior, and now finding new peace in redefining her last chapter really.
“It’s going to be adventurous. It’s going to be amazing. I’ll tell you one thing at this. She’s not done fighting yet. So, there is definitely one big battle still to come.”
Vikings season 6 is coming to History and Amazon Prime in Autumn 2019
