Vikings: Every Character Based On Real Historical Figures

Gunnhild, Mother of Kings, was a prominent Norseman who lived during the 10th century AD. She was the wife of Erik Bloodaxe, who was the king of Norway, Orkney, and Jorvik (York). This also made her the daughter-in-law of Harald Fairhair. Her sons later went on to become co-kings of Norway at different periods of time.

In the show, she first appears as one of the shieldmaidens in Harald Fairhair's army. She goes on to become Bjorn's wife and Queen of Kattegat. This story is fictitious, but her status as queen and her strong nature is based on the real person.