Assassin's Creed Valhalla will delight many players. Long-running supporters of the franchise as a whole, open-world RPG fans, and, finally, historical buffs. While Assassin's Creed games are more mediums for entertainment rather than history lessons, Ubisoft has proved time and time again that historical accuracy is something they don't simply discredit, mostly. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is no exception.
With this in mind, there are a ton of characters in this game that are actual historical figures. Pretty significant ones, too. These people, who have once walked this Earth, have helped shape their culture and helped it rise to prominence to an extent that they're still being talked about to this day.
Updated Aug. 21, 2021 by Rhett Roxl: On August 12, 2021, Ubisoft released the second expansion package for Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. The Seige of Paris storyline pushes Eivor out of England and into the lands of Francia. On his journey, Eivor meets a new batch of interesting characters who, like many of the other characters in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, are plucked right out of our history books. These historical figures have made a name for themselves for many reasons and the game has done a fine job in exploring them, albeit somewhat interpretatively. Nevertheless, here are new characters introduced in the Siege of Paris DLC and the reason for their fame, or their infamy.
19 Bernard
Bernard is Charles the Fat’s son and only heir. However, because Bernard is Charles’ illegitimate son, his claim is refuted by many. Initially thought missing, it is later revealed that Bernard was simply hiding him from his father so that he wouldn't be corrupted by him.
Charles tried to legitimize Bernard as his heir on two occasions, but both attempts failed. After Charles’ death, it is thought that Bernard traveled between Alemannia and Italy after being the focus of a revolt. He was eventually killed by the Duke of Rhaetia.
18 Alfred, The Great
Alfred, the Great, or Aelfred in the game, is the King of Wessex and is one of the game's antagonists. In the game, Alfred is responsible, or at least a major orchestrator, for bringing down the Order of the Ancients, paving the way to a new kind of order, one that would eventually become the Templar Order.
Alfred the Great is a prominent historical figure for his success in defending his kingdom against any Viking conquest. He was a very dominant ruler and he also oversaw converting many Vikings to Christianity, including the Viking leader Guthrum.
17 Guthrum
This older soul wasn't in the initial invasion despite appearances. Rather, Guthrum's summer forces joined the Great Heathen Army later on. Together, these Vikings seemed unstoppable, conquering most of the English kingdoms in their way.
That was until Alfred routed them at the Battle of Edington. This defeat must have been devastating since Guthrum renounced his belief in the Norse gods and converted to Christianity afterward. The game appears to lay the groundwork for this ideological shift, portraying him as an old veteran who's tired of conquest.
16 Halfdan Ragnarsson
Halfdan Ragnarsson is a very prominent and influential Viking leader. He is one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army. He is the eldest son of Ragnar Lodbrok and brother of Ubba and Ivarr. Due to his successful conquests in northern England, Halfdan is dubbed the "Conqueror of the North."
He is famous in real life for the very same reason he is a prominent figure in the game. On top of that, Halfdan Ragnarsson was also the first Viking King of Northumbria. It is also believed he co-ruled Denmark for a time with his brother.
15 Sigfred
Sigfred is one of the central figures in the new DLC. Driven by vengeance and full of rage, his aim is to unseat Charles the Fat, a man who is associated with the death of his brother. Despite his questionable judgment and often uncontrollable temper, Sigfred eventually succeeds in his goal.
This character seems to be somewhat based on the Viking chief of the same name who also opposed Charles the Fat. However, in the game, the name of Sigfred’s brother is Sinric, whereas, in history, Sigfred’s brother was named Godfrid, who was also executed by Charles.
14 King Oswald
One of the softer, milder-mannered rulers in the game is a character named Oswald. Despite his reserved demeanor, however, and unwillingness to commit bloodshed, King Oswald is a man who is willing to die, and occasionally kill, for the safety of his own people.
While he isn't particularly well-known in real life, and there are no major historical texts that mention his story. His existence is proven due to the coins found that are dedicated to him.
13 Ubba Ragnarsson
Ubba Ragnarson is a recurring side character in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He has close relations with the Raven Clan and is a good friend to both Sigurd and Eivor. He is one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army.
Ubba is known in real life for being one of the commanders of the Great Army. He was the son of the famous Viking figure Ragnar Lodbrok. Ubba is considered to be the archetypal Viking invader, alongside his brother Ivarr.
12 Count Odo
Although Count Odo and Eivor begin as foes, they eventually become allies after the latter manages to persuade the former to agree to a truce. Odo then sees more honor in Eivor than with his former king. In the end, it is he who inherits the throne after Charles was overthrown.
Count Odo is known for his skill and bravery in battle, as well as his countless encounters with the Vikings. He managed to rule over West Francia for a decade. He was then succeeded by Charles the Simple.
11 King Ceolwulf II
Ceolwulf II of Mercia is a nobleman who went on to become a king of Mercia, with the help of Ubba, Ivar, Sigurd, and Eivor. Ceolwulf is an honorable man with well-meaning intentions. He eventually develops a close relationship with the Raven Clan.
Ceolwulf's real-world counterpart was the last king of Mercia. He is thought to be descended from a long line of kings, tracing back to Coenwulf, a former king of Mercia.
10 Ivarr the Boneless
Ivarr the Boneless is a man of great intensity. He earns the title "King Killer" for slaying three different kings at three different times. Initially a friendly, Ivarr later lets his bloodlust and insanity get the best of him, and he falls at the hands of Eivor after an unfortunate twist of fate.
Ivarr, like Ragnar and his sons, is a well-known historical figure. He is monikered "the Boneless" throughout all accounts, but the reasons for this vary. He is one of the leaders of the Great Heathen Army, leading it alongside his brothers.
9 Harald Fairhair
Harald Fairhair is a king who lends his support to Eivor and Sigurd on their quest to defeat Kjotve the Cruel. After Eivor and Sigurd succeed, Harald reveals his plan of uniting all Norse clans under his banner, becoming the first King of Norway.
He is a well-known historical figure for his title as the first King of Norway, similar to his reputation in the game. Interestingly, due to his biography remaining uncertain, many historians believe that Harald did not exist at all.
8 Gozlin of Paris
Gozlin is a member of the Bellatores Dei, a religious group responsible for the capture of Richardis. Gozlin was present during the Siege of Paris and thought to have perished there. It is later revealed that he survived the raid when he confronts Eivor during Richardis’ trial. Eivor eventually manages to defeat and kill the bishop.
Gozlin, also known as Joscelin, was a bishop and a protector of Paris who constantly fought against Northmen. According to multiple accounts, Joscelin succumbed to a pestilence which has ravaged the city he was trying to protect.
7 King Ricsige
King Ricsige of Northumbria was the ruler of Jorvik. He was installed on his throne by Halfdan Ragnarsson himself, the ruler of the northern part of England. He later betrays Halfdan, believing him to be unfit to rule, but he was defeated and killed by Eivor.
Historical accounts of King Ricsige are scarce, but it is known that he succeeded Ecgberth I and succeeded by Ecgberth II. It is believed that Ricsige died of a broken heart.
6 Saint Richardis
Richardis is the wife of Charles the Fat. The poor woman only garners contempt from her husband, and she to him. Eivor rescues Richardis on multiple occasions throughout the Siege of Paris storyline, one from a nun known as “Little Mother,” and another from Charles himself.
In history, where Charles was berated and condemned, Richardis was worshipped and loved. She was later venerated and canonized as a saint, thus giving her the title, Saint Richardis.
5 King Burgred
Burgred was the king of Mercia, right before the Vikings Ubba and Ivarr stripped him of his crown to put Ceolwulf II on the throne. He and his wife were exiled to Rome by the new king himself.
In real life, Burgred was known to work closely with Æthelwulf, the king of the West Saxons. Both successfully repressed the Welsh rebellion. Similar to his story in the game, he was succeeded by Ceolwulf II, who was appointed by the Vikings.
4 Rollo
This warrior's greatest exploits lie not in England but in France. Originally partaking in a Viking siege of Paris, Rollo was later gifted land and title by the local ruler, Charles the Simple. In exchange, he swore loyalty to France and agreed to defend it from future attacks. The Viking settlers and local residents eventually gave rise to Normandy, with Rollo as its king (and ancestor to William the Conqueror).
Of course, players don't see any of this in Valhalla since the base game takes place in England. Here, Rollo is just one of the NPCs who dole out quests, most notably regarding a traitor in his camp. Fans hungry for anything more will just have to watch the Vikings show or wait for the Siege of Paris DLC.
3 Flann Sinna
The most recent entry on the list, the High King of Ireland pops up in the Wrath of the Druids DLC. Players witness his coronation, and the quests that he gives Eivor quickly reveal his goal.
In many ways, Flann Sinna sets out to be the Irish version of Alfred, the Great. He also sought to unite his country's disparate tribes under one rule, and he consolidated that power successfully for a time. Not only did he put down several revolts, but he erected the Cross of the Scriptures and other monuments solidifying his position. Then again, razing opposing structures and communities to the ground might have helped as well. It's hard for naysayers to fight back if they have nothing.
2 Charles the Fat
Charles the Fat is the main antagonist of the Siege of Paris storyline. Ever-cunning, ambitious, and sly, it takes the alliance of Sigfred and Eivor to finally bring him down. What Charles lacks in physical prowess, he makes up for in resilience.
In history, Charles has always been seen as incompetent. Despite this, he managed to rule over various kingdoms throughout his life, including the Carolingian Empire, Italy, West Francia, and East Francia. A lot of people credit his success to sheer luck.
1 Saint Brendan Of Clonfert
People generally don't think of saints as great navigators, but Brendan is renowned for this. He traveled from his native Ireland to countless places across the world, chronicling the exotic environments and colorful denizens he encounters along the way. He even founded a few monasteries in these distant locales. Although his life took him to many exciting places, history remembers Brendan most for his voyage to the "Isle of the Blessed."
What does Ubisoft do with him? Make him a collectible! Brendan doesn't physically appear in Valhalla. Instead, Eivor can solve mysterious puzzles that the saint supposedly left at several standing stones. Yep, the holy adventurer is now the Riddler from the Batman: Arkham games. Like with other figures, though, maybe Brendan's brain-teasers will inspire players to read up on his real-life exploits.