Originally posted by Mooshashi
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Ivarr accomplishments were simply not possible for a cripple. He was the cruelest and most feared Viking of all, even more so than his father and his brother Ubba ("Ubbe" in the TV series). Ivarr led the Great Heathen Army in the 860s conquering Northumberland and East Anglia, establishing the foundation of the later "Danelaw".
There is no record of Ivarr after 870, he may have died from injuries suffered in his battle against the West Saxons (led by age 19 Alfred the Great and his older brother King Athelred) in the Battle of Ashdown.
Too much history has been changed in Vikings. I just read the book Alfred the Great by the historical consultant for the series Justin Pollard, and have read several other books about that time in history. For some reason, Michael Hirst insisted in changing history.
Alfred was Athelred's youngest son, born in 849 (ten years after Ecbert's death in 839, although you see them together in the series) and NOT a bastard.
The fictional "Athelstan" was not his father. The real Athelstan was Alfred's grandson, the first king of all England. The Vikings no longer controlled The Danelaw by Athelstan's reign, largely because of the efforts of Alfred, and those of his son Edward the Elder and daughter Ęthelflęd, the Lady of the Mercians.
Athelstan was also the Saxon name Alfred gave to the Viking Guthrum when he forced the leader of the Great Heathen Army to become a Christian after the decisive Battle of Edington in 878.
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