The following contains spoilers for Vinland Saga Seasons 1 and 2, now streaming on Netflix and Crunchyroll.Askeladd was probably the most charismatic character in all of Vinland Saga Season 1. He didn't have Thors aura, but he had a much more interesting backstory and development. He didn't' undergo the sudden revelation and dramatic change of Canute, but he provoked it. As gray antagonist go, he is up there at the top. Askeladd single-handedly created the entire plot of the first season or prologue of Vinland Saga. His actions were the focal point and left a long-lasting mark on the story and characters that will carry the series from this point.
His past, however, was a mystery for the most time and with good reason. Based on tales and history both this character had a huge foundation which could have even taken him as far as the throne of a returned and unified Britannia. He instead chose the path to facilitate Canute's ascension, while also protecting Wales at the cost of killing king Sweyn and losing his own life in the process.
Real Name And Origin
He didn't have an easy or pleasant childhood to say the least. His mother Lydia was a slave captured by his father Olaf a Viking warrior from Denmark. Lydia was a noblewoman in Welsh but had been reduced to a slave, and a poor one at that since her upbringing didn't help in being able to do any kind of physical labor. His real name, the one his mother gave him, was Lucius Artorius Castus, proclaiming the Roman military commander of the same name was their ancestor.
Askeladd was just a nickname because as a kid he was covered in ashes and manure all the time due to his work on the stables and the forge. For most of his life, Lydia had a very poor health condition. He had to overwork himself to try and get everything she needed to survive, while his father completely ignored them living in the biggest house of the village. As an illegitimate son from a slave, they simply didn't exist for men of power.
It stayed the same until one day, Askeladd defied his father. As a consequence of her illness, Lydia went after Olaf in the middle of the street, confusing him with the hero Artorius that is here to save her. Olaf is ready to just kill her when Askeladd protects her with a sword he grabbed from the forge. Despite being his first time wielding a sword his aggressiveness and movements impressed Olaf enough to invite him to live with him as one of his sons.
A Circle Of Revenge
Askeladd accepted Olaf's offer, but he didn't forget a second what he made them go through. He changed the life of a slave for the life of luxury and adrenaline of a warrior. It helped her mother, as she was getting better care. His brothers quickly accepted him and recognized his ability. For a time, he earned everyone's trust fighting alongside them, acting as one of their own.
His true objective, needed that trust, that moment of relaxation so everything would fall in place. He wanted to assassinate Olaf, but needed the rest to believe he couldn't have done it. Some of his brothers were already thinking about killing him to inherit his riches and lands, but he seemed as the perfect loyal son. It was the ideal moment. He went to his room and killed him in a rather gruesome way but avoided any suspicion.
One of his brothers was framed and executed for it while Askeladd got rights to inherit Olaf's property. When Lydia's health worsened he took her back to Wales, where he first met with General Gratianus and presented himself as Lucius Artorius Castus. The rest of his life he remained a Danish Captain, leading a group of mercenaries through numerous battles. His wish was always to return to Wales at some point as a ruler. The reason why he accepted and mentored Thorfinn was in a great part because he reminded him of himself at a young age.
Askeladd From The Norwegian Folktales
The character in Vinland Saga is inspired by a character in the Asbjørnsen and Moe's a collection of Norwegian tales. His name in the tales is Espen Askeladd or Esben Askelad, generally referred to as Askeladden, often translated to Ash-lad. Although depicted in entirely different stories, he is always characterized by certain tropes. He is always the weakest and smallest of the family, an underachiever per nature. However, eventually proves himself in a big part thanks to his intelligence and patience, becoming successful in one tricky way or another. He is said to be inspired by the Norse mythology God Loki.
Some ideas from the tales were translated into the character in Vinland Saga. For example, in most tales he is the youngest of multiple brothers, all of them much more successful than him at the beginning. His work as a slave is the same kind of work Askeladden starts from. His creative solutions and plotting are also common. In the tales, the hero figure earns him great rewards at the end. In Vinland Saga, the dream of becoming ruler of Britannia is a reference to the many times he ended with the hand of a Princess or half of a Kingdom for his feats. The name Askeladd is the Danized version of the character, used in the show to adapt to the story being told in Denmark.
Furthermore, even though is not directly related to the Norwegian tales, his backstory is based on the early life of Olaf the Peacock. He was an Icelandic chieftain and of one of the major characters of the Laxdæla saga a piece from a type of Icelandic literature which rested entirely on factual historical events between the ninth and eleventh centuries. Another small detail introduced with this character is their ship, a copy of the Oseberg Ship.
Depicted As Legitimate Heir To Britannia
In this aspect is where Makoto Yukimura decides to completely improvise and adds a completely different angel to this character which makes him even more interesting. Lucius Artorius Castus, the real one, was simply a Roman military commander. Despite not much being known about his life, since the past century speculation has been going around about the possibility of being the real-life inspiration for King Arthur.
Despite not having any real proof or basis on this matter, this theory has being embraced in recent times by the entertainment industry. It was hinted in the 2004 film King Arthur and Yukimura followed the same idea, although with an unconventional approach. He gave Askeladd the same name, he put him as descendent from Wales nobility, and put the Artorius savior legend idea all over the place. Even from an aesthetic standpoint, wearing a Roman armor or his beliefs, like the Avalon legend.
His mother was obsessed with the promise of a hero that would come and save them from a cruel life. Then, multiple flashbacks with the iconic Excalibur sword inside a rock, Askeladd's true intentions of returning to Wales with a leadership position after gaining enough power, his will to protect his homeland at all costs. The moment of realization where just understands that there is no Artorius who is going to solve every problem, that he himself has to fight for it. It added tremendous depth to an already great character. As Yukimura said, most of the characters in Vinland Saga were created to aid Thorfinn in his path. Askeladd is a different story.