Vikings: Valhalla thrives on spectacle, but the most powerful moments are not always sprawling battlefield clashes. The series sharpens its edge in personal duels, where the fate of characters and kingdoms often hangs by the swing of a blade. These fights are marked not only by skill and brutality, but also by symbolism, weapon choice, and the raw setting in which they take place.
1. Leif Eriksson vs Kare
The duel between Leif and Kare stands as the defining personal clash of the series. Kare, the merciless Christian zealot, carries a long Danish war axe and heavy shield. Leif, more accustomed to seafaring tools than battlefield weapons, adapts by using a Viking sword and improvised weapons during the brutal fight.
The choreography is relentless, showing Kare’s brute power against Leif’s desperation and cunning. Leif’s eventual triumph is as much about willpower as technique, and the blood-soaked aftermath signals a turning point in his transformation from explorer to hardened warrior.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | Leif Eriksson vs Kare |
| Weapons | Viking sword (Leif), Danish war axe and shield (Kare) |
| Location | Kattegat, siege aftermath |
| Outcome | Leif kills Kare in a desperate, bloody fight |
2. Freydis Eriksdotter vs Kjartan
Freydis’ duel with Kjartan is the most personal of her battles. Kjartan, one of the men who assaulted her, wields a broad-bladed Viking sword and a round shield. Freydis enters combat armed with a seax (short sword) and later uses a Viking sword, relying on speed and ferocity rather than brute strength.
The fight is brutal and ritualistic, with the choreography highlighting her rage. Her killing blow carries symbolic weight, marking her not just as a survivor, but as a warrior destined for legend.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | Freydis Eriksdotter vs Kjartan |
| Weapons | Seax and Viking sword (Freydis), Viking sword and shield (Kjartan) |
| Location | Pagan shrine in Uppsala |
| Outcome | Freydis kills Kjartan, avenging her trauma |
3. Harald Sigurdsson vs Olaf Haraldsson
This duel is as much political theatre as it is combat. Harald wields a longsword, agile and sharp, while Olaf fights with a heavier broad Viking sword and round shield, reflecting his stature as king. The clash symbolises Norway’s struggle between old loyalties and new ambitions.
Though inconclusive in the moment, the fight underscores the inevitability of Olaf’s downfall and Harald’s rise as a contender for kingship.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | Harald Sigurdsson vs Olaf Haraldsson |
| Weapons | Longsword (Harald), Viking sword and shield (Olaf) |
| Location | Norway, contested ground |
| Outcome | No final kill; Olaf retreats, Harald survives stronger in reputation |
4. Freydis Eriksdotter vs Harekr
Harekr, the authoritarian leader of Jomsborg, carries a longsword and shield. Freydis wields her seax and later a longsword, embodying her duality as both protector and destroyer. The duel is savage, fought in the heart of Jomsborg with her people’s survival at stake.
Her victory secures her authority as guardian of the last pagan stronghold, cementing her place in the mythology of Valhalla.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | Freydis Eriksdotter vs Harekr |
| Weapons | Seax and longsword (Freydis), longsword and shield (Harekr) |
| Location | Jomsborg |
| Outcome | Freydis kills Harekr, ensuring her leadership |
5. Leif Eriksson vs Olaf Haraldsson
Though short, this fight carries high drama. Olaf uses his sword and shield with the experience of a veteran king, while Leif counters with a Viking sword and seafarer’s agility. The duel takes place during a chaotic clash, highlighting Olaf’s dominance but also Leif’s grit.
Leif survives, but the fight shows how far he has to climb before he can stand on equal ground with warlords.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | Leif Eriksson vs Olaf Haraldsson |
| Weapons | Viking sword (Leif), Viking sword and shield (Olaf) |
| Location | Kattegat |
| Outcome | Olaf spares Leif, leaving him humiliated but alive |
6. Canute vs Edmund
This duel is staged more for show than true combat. Canute wields a Viking sword but holds back, manipulating the young Edmund into believing he has a chance. Edmund, using a lighter sword, quickly realises he is being toyed with.
The scene demonstrates Canute’s cunning rather than his combat prowess, teaching Edmund a brutal lesson about survival under conquest.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | King Canute vs King Edmund |
| Weapons | Viking sword (Canute), light sword (Edmund) |
| Location | London, after the city’s fall |
| Outcome | Canute humiliates Edmund, sparing him to serve his rule |
7. Freydis Eriksdotter vs Gunnhildr
While not as symbolically rich as her other duels, Freydis’ fight with Gunnhildr is still fierce. Both wield Viking swords and shields, with quick exchanges showing Gunnhildr’s skill. Freydis’ raw determination, however, overwhelms her opponent.
It is a reminder of her relentless drive and physical dominance, even when the duel itself does not carry the same legendary weight as others.
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Combatants | Freydis Eriksdotter vs Gunnhildr |
| Weapons | Viking swords and shields (both) |
| Location | Kattegat |
| Outcome | Freydis kills Gunnhildr, reinforcing her reputation |
Legacy of the Duels
The duels of Vikings: Valhalla are ritualised events that decide the direction of kingdoms and the fate of individuals. Weapon choice plays a crucial role: Kare’s war axe embodies brute force, Freydis’ seax reflects raw survival, Olaf’s sword and shield signify kingship, and Harald’s longsword hints at agility and ambition.
Each duel adds a thread to the broader tapestry of the saga, showing that history is often shaped not only by armies, but also by the outcome of two warriors locked in mortal combat.
