Judith, who is she in the Vikings series? Presentation and appearance

Katharina Wagner
Produkt- und Einkaufsexperte mit über 15 Jahren Handelserfahrung

Introduction to Judith in the Vikings series

Some characters in the Vikings series captivate us, and Judith is one of them.

Who is Judith?

Judith is the daughter of King Aelle of Northumbria and Queen Ealhswith. She is a gentle, cultured, and curious young woman. She is a believer and places great importance on religion.

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Judith is a recurring character in the Vikings series, where she makes her first appearance in the episode “Blood Eagle” in season 1. The role is first played by Sarah Greene. Then, in seasons 3, 4, and 5, by Jennie Jacques.

Judith in the series

Judith is the princess of Northumbria. She married Aethelwulf, the son of King Ecbert, to create an alliance between their two kingdoms.

A year after the marriage, Judith becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy named Aethelred. Although devoted as a wife, Judith is very attracted to Athelstan, the monk who accompanies Ragnar Lothbrok. When she sees his crucifixion scar, she asks him to kiss it, which annoyed the monk.

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Later, Judith asks him to hear her confession. During the confession, Judith admits to him that her sin was dreaming of sleeping with a man other than her husband. She gives him the details, saying she was lying naked next to this man and that she enjoyed what they did. At his request, she reveals that he is the man she dreamed of. But she leaves before he gives her penance.

A few days later, Lagertha and Athelstan return to the castle to see King Ecbert. The King notices Judith’s interest in Athelstan and warns her. Ecbert then invites them to join him at the Roman baths. When the king and Lagertha begin to flirt in front of them, Judith cannot take it anymore and leaves; Athelstan follows her. She then confesses to him that she feels dirty because of her growing interest in him, because she knows it is wrong.

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Finally, they give in to their desire and begin an affair. Judith declares her feelings to him, which, incidentally, were mutual. Then, she discovers she is pregnant.

Returning from Mercia, Aethelwulf discovers that his wife is suffering from morning sickness. Judith does not hide her adultery, which provokes her husband’s fury when he realizes she is carrying another man’s baby. He insists that Judith reveal the identity of the father, but she refuses to tell him. Later, Judith gives birth to a son. Under the pretext of congratulating the mother, Aethelwulf grabs her brutally and ties her up outside to face trial. Declared guilty of adultery, Judith is sentenced to be mutilated—her nose and ears are to be cut off. The king offers her a chance to escape her punishment by revealing the name of the father, which she initially refuses. However, unable to bear the torture inflicted on her ears, she finally confesses that the father is none other than Athelstan. Although incredulous, her husband ends her punishment when Ecbert asserts his belief in Athelstan’s holiness, thus making the child a gift from God. The child is then baptized with the name Alfred.

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Judith then gained the king’s favor and protection, but upon learning that he wants her to become his mistress, she understands all his intentions toward her and Alfred. The king even promises her his kingdom.

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While Aethelwulf is away for the rescue of Kwenthrith, Judith tells Ecbert that she wants to illuminate manuscripts. He then finds her a teacher. She begins lessons with the monk. He knows all about Rollo’s attacks on the Vikings. Judith then asks about Athelstan, but the monk says he does not know. She is worried, but Ecbert reassures her, and that evening, he joins her in her apartments, and she agrees to be his mistress on the condition that he respects her. At night, she dreams of Athelstan and tells herself it is a sign that he is dead. She mourns the loss of Athelstan when her husband returns, but makes him believe they are tears of joy because she is happy to see him.

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When Kwenthrith, her husband’s lover, tries to kill Ecbert, Judith kills her. She refuses to sleep with her husband, who calls her a whore. She leaves to find Ecbert, and he gives her his wife’s ring.

Judith lives in exile with her husband and her two sons. When Aethelwulf dies, she convinces Aethelred to renounce the throne in favor of Alfred. He accepts, but plots to usurp his brother. And when Alfred falls ill, Judith poisons and kills Aethelred so that he does not come to power.

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Later, Judith brings back Lagertha, who is ill, to the castle and cares for her. They become friends, and Judith confesses to her that she has a tumor in her breast. She dies in her bed shortly after, surrounded by her son and Lagertha.