10 Best Vikings Deaths

Once one of Ragnar's most powerful allies, King Horik soon became one of his greatest rivals.

With the young Earl Ragnar growing more and more ambitious and garnering a certain amount of fame for his exploits, Horik grew worried that he would eventually become a threat.

The gap between the two only increased after a conflict of interests on how to handle the Saxons in England. Ragnar wanted peace and to start farming the land, while Horik remained adamant about raiding England's kingdoms.

Ragnar also defied Horik's wishes when he executed Jarl Borg, as Horik intended to reform an alliance between the three. Deciding that Ragnar could no longer be trusted, Horik set about manipulating Ragnar's allies against him.

Masquerading as an ally wanting to celebrate their continued alliance, Horik secretly plotted to have his would-be enemies and their family assassinated during the night using two of Ragnar's closest friends, Floki and Siggy.

The plan failed with the two ultimately siding against Horik and a trap was laid to ensnare the King. Realising he was defeated, Horik instead pleaded for the life of his son, whom Ragnar agreed to set free.

Horik was then slowly hacked by each of Ragnar's allies before being beaten to death in front of his son, Erlendur.