TV-Series
Description
Thorkell, known as Thorkell the Tall or Thorkell the Invincible, possesses an exceptionally tall, muscular frame marked by numerous battle scars. He towers over others, with spiky blond hair typically secured by a bandana and a small beard. Injuries sustained in duels with Thorfinn cost him the tips of his right ring and pinky fingers and later his left eye, leading him to wear an eyepatch. After being burned alive in 1019, his hair grew curly. In his youth around 987, he was less muscular with shorter hair, initially wielding a single two-handed poleaxe before switching to dual-wielding two-handed poleaxes.
He exhibits a jolly, battle-obsessed personality, frequently laughing and smiling, but grows irritable without combat. He seeks capable opponents like soldiers or Vikings, avoiding civilians and weaker individuals. He arms unarmed enemies to grant them a "glorious death" and potential entry to Valhalla. His followers abstain from raping or killing non-combatants. He despises cowardice, executing defectors from Askeladd's crew. Allegiances shift based on which side offers fiercer battles, showing loyalty only to his own men. He demands one-on-one duels against worthy foes like Thorfinn, forbidding interference or insults from his men, even killing a subordinate for mocking Thorfinn. Despite his love for combat, he acknowledges defeat after a satisfying fight.
Beneath this exterior lies regret and philosophical doubt. He reflects on his last encounter with his brother-in-law and former comrade, Thors, who spoke of understanding a "true warrior" with a distant gaze Thorkell couldn't comprehend. Thorkell later admitted he should have followed Thors when he abandoned the Jomsvikings to learn that truth. He saw Thorfinn, Thors' son, as a potential source of answers but was disappointed when the young Thorfinn couldn't explain it. Years later, seeing Thors' same distant gaze in the pacifist Thorfinn, Thorkell accepted Thorfinn's path, though the meaning of a "true warrior" remained elusive.
His background includes serving as a Jomsviking commander alongside Thors. He deserted, deeming the undefeatable Jomsvikings "boring," and joined English forces in 1013 to fight his former allies. During the London siege, he defied orders to rejoin the Danes, attacking Floki's ship. He dueled Thorfinn twice, suffering finger and eye injuries. After Askeladd assassinated King Sweyn, Thorkell aligned with Prince Canute to stabilize England. Becoming an Earl under King Canute, he grew restless during peacetime, raiding his own earldom to instigate fights. He collapsed from shock when Canute disbanded the military, with subordinates noting he "will die if he gets any more peace."
Years later, during the Eastern Expedition, Thorkell reunited with Thorfinn, advocating for him to lead the Jomsvikings due to Thors' lineage. When Thorfinn refused, Thorkell accepted Floki's mission to eliminate the rebel commander Vagn. After Vagn's assassination by Garm, Thorkell united with Vagn's men against Floki, rejecting peace offers. Thorfinn eventually agreed to lead the Jomsvikings on condition of their dissolution, enlisting Thorkell's aid. Thorkell challenged Thorfinn to a final duel but relented when Gudrid intervened; acknowledging her love for Thorfinn, he allowed him to leave violence behind. It was later revealed Thorkell fathered a daughter, Cordelia, whose mother concealed her gender to prevent Thorkell from raising her as a warrior.
Thorkell is loosely based on the historical Thorkell the Tall, a Jomsviking chieftain who invaded England in 1009, later served King Canute, became Earl of East Anglia, and disappeared from records after 1023.
He exhibits a jolly, battle-obsessed personality, frequently laughing and smiling, but grows irritable without combat. He seeks capable opponents like soldiers or Vikings, avoiding civilians and weaker individuals. He arms unarmed enemies to grant them a "glorious death" and potential entry to Valhalla. His followers abstain from raping or killing non-combatants. He despises cowardice, executing defectors from Askeladd's crew. Allegiances shift based on which side offers fiercer battles, showing loyalty only to his own men. He demands one-on-one duels against worthy foes like Thorfinn, forbidding interference or insults from his men, even killing a subordinate for mocking Thorfinn. Despite his love for combat, he acknowledges defeat after a satisfying fight.
Beneath this exterior lies regret and philosophical doubt. He reflects on his last encounter with his brother-in-law and former comrade, Thors, who spoke of understanding a "true warrior" with a distant gaze Thorkell couldn't comprehend. Thorkell later admitted he should have followed Thors when he abandoned the Jomsvikings to learn that truth. He saw Thorfinn, Thors' son, as a potential source of answers but was disappointed when the young Thorfinn couldn't explain it. Years later, seeing Thors' same distant gaze in the pacifist Thorfinn, Thorkell accepted Thorfinn's path, though the meaning of a "true warrior" remained elusive.
His background includes serving as a Jomsviking commander alongside Thors. He deserted, deeming the undefeatable Jomsvikings "boring," and joined English forces in 1013 to fight his former allies. During the London siege, he defied orders to rejoin the Danes, attacking Floki's ship. He dueled Thorfinn twice, suffering finger and eye injuries. After Askeladd assassinated King Sweyn, Thorkell aligned with Prince Canute to stabilize England. Becoming an Earl under King Canute, he grew restless during peacetime, raiding his own earldom to instigate fights. He collapsed from shock when Canute disbanded the military, with subordinates noting he "will die if he gets any more peace."
Years later, during the Eastern Expedition, Thorkell reunited with Thorfinn, advocating for him to lead the Jomsvikings due to Thors' lineage. When Thorfinn refused, Thorkell accepted Floki's mission to eliminate the rebel commander Vagn. After Vagn's assassination by Garm, Thorkell united with Vagn's men against Floki, rejecting peace offers. Thorfinn eventually agreed to lead the Jomsvikings on condition of their dissolution, enlisting Thorkell's aid. Thorkell challenged Thorfinn to a final duel but relented when Gudrid intervened; acknowledging her love for Thorfinn, he allowed him to leave violence behind. It was later revealed Thorkell fathered a daughter, Cordelia, whose mother concealed her gender to prevent Thorkell from raising her as a warrior.
Thorkell is loosely based on the historical Thorkell the Tall, a Jomsviking chieftain who invaded England in 1009, later served King Canute, became Earl of East Anglia, and disappeared from records after 1023.