Vetr was a Danish Viking who fought under jarl Osbern during the Viking invasion of England in the 9th century.
Biography[]
Vetr fought under jarl Osbern at the Battle of Ashdown. The battle proved to be a Saxon victory as Jarl Osbern fell in battle. After Osbern's death in the battle,[1] Vetr joined Geirmund Hjörrsson as a member of the Hel-hides after seeing him as worthy as did other former warriors of Osbern.[2]
While Geirmund, Rafn, and Thorgrim used burning ships as a fear tactic, Vetr joined the other Hel-hides and marched towards Wælingford. Altogether, the Hel-hides took over the settlement with no losses, and the Saxons fled. Thus, Guthrum congratulated them on their victory.[3]
At the Battle of Meretun, Vetr and his fellow Hel-hides joined the battle against the Saxons. At one point, he shielded Rafn from incoming arrows. The battle was won by the Vikings. After a truce was made between the Vikings and King Alfred,[4] Vetr and the Hel-hides traveled to Lunden along with the Great Heathen Army. However, their temporary stay turned sour when Geirmund and Aslef were ambushed, with Aslef being mortally wounded. Vetr was one of the five Hel-hides who agreed to join Geirmund to lead their attacker, Krok Uxiblóð, away from the fellow Hel-hides.[5]
Running from Krok[]
Moving across Mercia, Vetr and his company came across a small Saxon town. However, when Geirmund deduced that the town was overrun by Krok, he, Rafn, Steinólfur, and Skjalgi were told to scout the town itself. Geirmund planned to "go" to the blacksmith with Birna Gormsdóttir. Geirmund's plan worked while Vetr and Steinólfur cut down three of Krok's warriors and then fled to Rafn and Skjalgi.[6] Together, they found themselves a temporary base at Medeshamstede, a monastery led by Abbot Torthred, a former acquaintance of Geirmund.[7]
Days later, the Hel-hides learned that the peace between Danes and Mercians had ended. However, they all remained peaceful, so Vetr and Rafn were sent to find Torthred's sister, Tova. After a day, they came back to inform Geirmund and Torthred of her being Krok's prisoner. Within days, he, Rafn, and Geirmund dressed up as monks, giving silver to Krok's warriors as ransom for Tova, but after duping Krok's warriors, the three warriors killed Tova's four captors and rescued her.[8]
Vetr was present when his leader Geirmund fought Krok in the presence of the shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir and her longship crew, to which Geirmund won. However, when Krok's men tried to attack Geirmund, Vetr, the Hel-hides, and Eivor's company killed the rest of Krok's men.[9] Afterwards, the Hel-hides joined Eivor as she returned to her settlement, Ravensthorpe. In Ravensthorpe, he stayed with his company, except Geirmund, who went to visit his parents in Jorvik.[10] At some point, the Hel-hides joined Guthrum's forces in Grantebridge.[11]
The Fight for Wessex[]
Vetr met his fellow Hel-hides at Grantebridge and saw Geirmund back from Jorvik to lead them under Guthrum's command. Later, all Hel-hides were told to raid and become a vital distraction for Alfred to attack, in exchange for ten pounds of silver for every Hel-hide.[11] He and Rafn were told to scout for any villages or towns to raid, but after every raid, they all noticed the guards had gone to fight for King Alfred. Again, he and Rafn were tasked to find Alfred's hometown to raid next.[12]
Taking Skjalgi to scout with them, Vetr and Rafn came under attack by five guards. Although they defeated them, Rafn was injured in his arm, and Steinólfur went to treat him. With the scouts' information, the Hel-hides raided the area but only found an abundance of food. They all feasted that night. However, the next day, the Viking company noticed they were going to be besieged by Alfred's army. They held their ground despite some losses but saw Alfred's army heading west.[13]
After sending their fallen warriors, including Thorgrim, to Valhalla, Vetr and his company followed the Saxons' trail. He, Rafn, and Birna noticed Saxon thieves among the trail's dead corpses and interrogated them. They all learned that Ubba Ragnarsson fought and lost his life against Alfred's army. After killing the thieves, Vetr followed his company to make camp at Selwood before the next battle against the Saxons.[14]
After being informed by Eskil of the battle at Chippenham, Vetr readied himself to fight, but Rafn fell over, and his arm had begun to fester. With Steinólfur, Skjalgi, Eskil, and Geirmund, he treated Rafn by amputating his arm. He promised to care for Rafn as the rest went to aid in the battle.[15]
Vetr guarded Rafn while he rested, until Geirmund returned after making a note of Alfred's current location. Offering his horse, Geirmund let Rafn and Vetr ride in front to make sure Rafn stayed warm. Fortunately, the battle was won but with multiple losses, including Geirmund's father, Hjorr Halfsson.[16] To make matters worse, Vetr and the Hel-hides saw and heard Guthrum's reluctance to fight and soon learned of his plan to surrender and convert to Christianity. After a confrontation between Geirmund and Guthrum, the Hel-hides left Chippenham and started on a new journey, following Geirmund once more.[17]
After Wessex[]
After the battle, Vetr and his fellow warriors followed Geirmund and continued to raid, trade, and prosper along the seas as the Hel-hides.[18]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 13
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 14
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 15
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 17
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 18
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 19
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 20
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 21
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 22
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 23
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 25
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 26
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 27
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 28
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 29
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 30
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 31
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Epilogue
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