Vikings: Why Magnus Was Sent Away By Aethelwulf

Vikings season 4 saw young Magnus of Mercia being sent away by Aethelwulf, but why did he do that and what happened to Magnus after that?

Vikings was packed with action and drama, and the characters got involved in a number of battles and betrayals, which even though were exciting to follow, they also led to some confusing moments, such as why Magnus was sent away by Aethelwuf in season 4. The branch of historical drama has become very popular in recent years, and one of its most popular titles is Michael Hirst’s Vikings. Over the course of six seasons, Vikings covered the early years of the Viking Age through some of the most notable warriors and characters from that time, though the show also took a lot of creative liberties with its stories and characters, as not all of them were based on real-life people.

Vikings initially followed legendary Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his many travels with his Viking brothers, among them his real brother, Rollo (Clive Standen), and his best friend and Kattegat’s boat builder Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård), but as the series progressed, it shifted its focus to Ragnar’s sons – Björn, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd, and Ivar. After Ragnar’s death in Vikings season 4, his sons took over and led the series until its final episode, but Ragnar’s presence, legacy, and the impact of his past actions continued to be felt throughout the series. Ragnar supposedly had an illegitimate son, Magnus, who returned after Ragnar’s death to avenge his death and other issues he had with some English royals.

Magnus of Mercia was the son of Queen Kwenthrith, who claimed that Magnus’ father was Ragnar Lothbrok. Kwenthrith used this to defend her kingdom from King Ecbert, who wanted control of Mercia, and after the queen failed to seduce Ecbert’s son, Aethelwulf, she introduced him and Bishop Edmund to Magnus. Kwenthrith also claimed that, as Ragnar was the father of Magnus, the Viking warrior would protect Mercia for their son’s benefit, and if Wessex attacked, they would have to confront the Viking army. However, Aethelwulf didn’t take her claims seriously and she agreed to his demands, but in Vikings season 4, Kwenthrith and Magnus were held hostage in a tower. Ecbert later tried to negotiate with Ragnar using Magnus, but Ragnar denied being his father. As Magnus was no longer of use for Ecbert and company, he was at risk of being killed, and so Aethelwulf freed the boy and sent him away to save him from certain death.

What Happened To Magnus After Aethelwulf Banished Him

Magnus’ banishment in Vikings season 4 wasn’t the end of the young prince’s story. Now a man, Magnus returned in Vikings season 5 where he told Bjorn he wanted revenge on King Alfred as he blamed him and the late king Ecbert and Aethelwulf for his exile and the death of their father, as he maintained that he was Ragnar’s illegitimate son. Magnus also considered himself a Viking and joined king Harald and his forces, killing many West Saxon soldiers in the Battle of Marton, but the Viking army was defeated, and Magnus sailed away with Harald to York. Magnus converted to Norse religion and took part in the Siege of Kattegat, and as he was telling Harald he had just realized who he really is, he was shot with an arrow by White Hair, dying on the spot.

The big mystery around Magnus, however, is whether he truly was Ragnar’s son or it was a lie by Kwenthrith to keep him, herself, and her kingdom safe. While it’s not unlikely nor surprising that Ragnar had more sons in Vikings aside from the ones he had with Lagertha and Aslaug, it seems strange that Ragnar would deny having a son with the queen of Mercia, unless he did so to protect him, though ultimately, that didn’t go well.