Olaf Tryggvason

…So let's, for people who've not read it, which I'm guessing is most people listen to the show, let's explain exactly what it is. Because as you said, it's bonkers to think that while she is writing this, Ethelred the Unready is paying Dane Gale to Olaf Tryggvason. Yeah, it is mad. And to give people a sense, it's a kind of...…

…His enemies have cornered him, they're about to grab him, and Olaf Tryggvason leaps into the sea. When Svein Fortbeard's men tried to rescue him from the waters, he threw his shield over his head, it is said, and vanished beneath the waves. He dies as he had lived, as a great Viking hero, a man whose name will be celebrated in song.…

…He's got 60 ships that are kind of similarly impressive and intimidating. So these two great armadas sailing out to meet one another. But Forkbeard's force is ultimately far more intimidating. Olaf Tryggvason's fleet is rapidly wiped out and it ends with Tryggvason himself, who has got golden armour, bright red cloak, so kind of very on brand.…