Many happenings on the continent and beyond
Mercy, mercy, mercy.
The history of the world is a history of conquest and bloodletting.
Years ago, Ragnar Lothbrok led his men across the sea to Wessex, seeking riches and land.
Credit: Steve Wilkie/History
More dead Vikings sew the land of Frankia, where Ragnar led his men in pursuit of further conquest.
What awaits Ragnar in these far-flung lands?
What awaits him outside his own home?
In an episode called Mercy, we saw kings and queens and princesses and warriors spread across the lands.
She inquires about the rumors of a Viking raid on Paris.
That attack is, to hear Prudentius tell it, acause celebreacross the whole of Europe.
Prudentius knows many details of the raid but not the details Judith seeks.
Was there a monk named Athelstan fighting with the Northmen?
Did he live or die?
He should be caught and crucified, says Prudentius, a true believer.
Judith amuses Ecbert with the saga of the Paris attack.
And Ecbert assures her that Athelstan lives on, in his son Alfred and in Judith herself.
You are Gods sacred vessel, Ecbert says.
Chosen to deliver the holy mans child.
Judith laughs that off: What is she, after all, but a sinful woman?
We are all sinful, Judith, Ecbert insists.
Ever since we were thrown out of paradise.
Perhaps we learn much about Ecbert from this statement.
Most followers of the Christ-God believe that they must direct their lives away from sin.
Ecbert believes thats a fruitless endeavor.
We are all sinners; better to be a powerful sinner than a weak one.
That evening, Judith comes to Ecberts chambers.
She will become his mistress again, on one condition: Heed and respect me.
They rekindle their romance, if romance it be.
At night, Ecbert has a vision of his old friend Athelstan.
The monk says nothing.
In the morning, Ecbert declares his interpretation of the dream.
Athelstan is dead, he promises the monk has sent notice via heavenly telecom.
They mourn their beloved monk.
But new drama awaits.
Aethelwulf returns from Mercia, with Queen Kwenthrith and Magnus son of Ragnar in tow.
Aethelwulf goes to Kwenthriths chambers, welcomed to her bed as a hero.
Dull Aethelwulf always tried to live a good Christian life, but now he seeks something different.
Surely this will all work out well for everyone.
Hed probably like to burn me alive or cut off my head, says Gisla.
I want a divorce!
She throws wine in Rollos face and storms off.
He storms away, too, to the great vexation of the emperor.
Rollo is important to Paris; he is the defense strategy against future Viking attacks.
Count Odo calms Rollo down with a method that King Ecbert might appreciate: education.
Rollo is alone in Paris now; having slaughtered his brethren, he has no one to speak to.
Odo promises to find Rollo a teacher.
Alas, Rollo is no Ragnar, no Lagertha.
After days of lessons, he still cannot say I am delighted to make your acquaintance.
In rebellion, he throws his teacher across the room.
Perhaps he is doomed to solitude; perhaps he is doomed, period.
NEXT: The Northern Lands
In Hedeby
Earl Kalf and Earl Lagertha lie abed.
They have shared each others bodies lo these many months.
Kalf, it seems, wants more.
I love you, he says.
All I ever really wanted was you.
Kalf thought he wanted power, but now, it seems, he seeks a work-life balance.
She has already promised Kalf that she will kill him someday.
And she remembers the Seers prophecy: That she would never bear another child.
Perhaps she senses further trickery.
For, outside, Kalf plots with Erlendur son of Horik to assassinate Lagerthas only living child.
It seems Bjorn Ironside has gone to the Interior this winter.
Its a perfect opportunity to end his life.
Kalf agrees, and sends a berserker to murder Bjorn.
So, now, poor Floki and Helge, left in a cave under the drip-drip-dripping of water droplets.
More terror awaits, for Helga finally admits to her husband that their daughter is dead.
In the village, Ragnar tells his sons another story from the gods.
A tale of the ferryman Harbard and the god Thor.
Ragnar doesnt believe Floki.
Perhaps he doesnt believe in the gods anymore.
But he believes in Athelstan.
While Ecbert dreams of the monk in faraway Wessex, Ragnar sees his old friend in the great hall.
Athelstan washes Ragnars feet, in imitation of the Christ-God.
Ragnar believes he knows what that means.
In the morning, he takes his ax and frees Floki from his prison.
Perhaps Ragnar has shown his once-friend a kindness.
Perhaps he knows that for Floki, life itself is punishment enough.
In the Interior
Bjorn killed a goddamn bear.
