Swedish actor Gustaf Skarsgård played the role of Floki in the first five seasons of Vikings. The last time Floki was seen was in the season five finale, where he disappeared into an Icelandic cave. How did the real Floki die?
How did the real Floki die?
Floki in Vikings is based on a real Norseman, Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson, who lived in the 9th century.
The real Floki is believed to be the first Norseman to intentionally sail to Iceland, setting sail with his wife Gró and his children included Oddleifur and Þjóðgerður.
He was searching for the land previously discovered by Norseman Garðar Svavarsson.
Evidence of the real Floki’s existence can be found in the Landnámabók manuscript, a medieval Icelandic source.
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According to the Landnámabók, Floki embarked on his journey to Iceland in 868.
Floki travelled to Iceland via the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands.
Upon arrival, Floki set up a winter camp in Vatnsfjörður at Barðaströnd and is believed to have hiked up to one of the highest mountains in Iceland, Nónfell in Westfjords.
According to ancient Norse sources, whilst at the top of the mountain, he spotted a large fjord Ísafjörður, which at the time was full of drift ice.
At the end of season five, Floki entered a cave believing he had found Asgard.
However, when inside the cave, he discovered a Christian cross, sending him to his knees and crying out in disbelief.
At the moment it remains unknown if Floki is dead or alive, or even if Skarsgård will reprise his role as the eccentric boatbuilder.
In the sixth series, Ubbe (played by Jordan Patrick Smith) is on a mission to find Floki, so fans should keep their fingers crossed.
Floki in the series, just like, the real Floki, does venture to Iceland and settle there, believing he has found Asgard, a location associated with the Gods.
He is also portrayed as close friends with Viking legend, Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), he spouse of the late Helga (Maude Hirst), the father of the late Angrboda and adoptive father of the late Tanaruz.
In real life, Floki is not believed to have encountered any of the Norse figures he does in the series.
Floki also was responsible for the death of former Christian monk, Athelstan (George Blagden).
This brutal killing did not place in real life. The real Athelstan dad in Gloucester, England in October 939.
Vikings is streaming on Amazon Prime now