Vikings Cast: Who Played King Aella Of Northumbria In Vikings?

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All six seasons of Vikings are streaming on Amazon Prime Video now. The series follows the life of legendary Viking warrior, Ragnar Lothbrok and his four sons who raided across Europe and in particular targeted Anglo-Saxon England. Ragnar met his death at the but who played King Aella of Northumbria in Vikings? Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTWARNING: This article contains spoilers about Vikings seasons 1-4

Who played King Aella of Northumbria in Vikings?

King Aella in Vikings was the ruthless Saxon King of Northumbria.The character is based on the real Saxon king of the same name, who ruled in the mid-ninth century until his death in 867.The real Aella was the King of Northumbria and his reign is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon chronicle and various Norse sagas but despite this, very little is known about his life.Aella was succeeded by Ecgberht (played by Linus Roache) who was appointed as King of Northumbria by the Vikings.

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Vikings cast: Ivan Kaye played King Aella in Vikings (Image: AMAZON PRIME)

Vikings cast: King Aella was killed in season 4 by Bjorn Ironside (Image: AMAZON PRIME)

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In Vikings and according to various historical accounts, King Aella was responsible for the death of Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel).Ragnar was captured by Aella and his army after he was shipwrecked on the shores of Northumbria and later thrown into a pit full of venomous snakes, where he met his death.News of Ragnar's death galvanised his sons into action to take revenge and Aella was blood-eagled by Ragnar's son Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) in season four as he avenged his father's death.Aella was played by British film, television and theatre actor Ivan Kaye. 

Vikings cast: Ivan Kaye starred in the first 4 seasons of Vikings (Image: AMAZON PRIME)Kaye, 59,  is best known for playing Byran in the comedy series, The Green Green Grass, starring alongside John Challis, David Ross and Sue Holderness.Vikings fans may also recognise Kaye from his role as the Duke of Milan in all three seasons of The Borgias.In The Borgias, he appeared opposite Steven Berkoff, Gina McKee and Jeremy Irons.Since leaving Vikings in 2017, Kaye has gone on to star in the action-thriller Gunpowder Milkshake as Yankee.

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Vikings is streaming on Amazon Prime now (Image: AMAZON PRIME)He also starred in the Amazon Prime adaption of Stephen KIng's The Dark Towers as Mayor Hart Thorin.His other well-known roles include Dark Shadows, Hammer of the Gods and The Coroner.Actor Ivan Kaye spoke to the German media outlet, My Fan Base about the memorable execution scene of King Aella in Vikings.Many Norse sources, such as the Ragnarssona þáttr, claim Aella was tortured by Ragnar’s sons and executed by the blood eagle method as depicted in the TV series.The blood eagle method saw his ribs severed from his spine with a sharp tool and his lungs pulled through the opening to create a pair of wings.

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He was hung from two trees, representing the shape of an eagle.Kaye recalled: "The capture and blood eagle took a day and a night [to film]."I was dragged through puddles and filth, it was below freezing and some overzealous Vikings were actually unable to simulate knifing my back and I had many scars, but as ever in my jobs, I loved every minute."Vikings is streaming on Amazon Prime now

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