Askeladd
Askeladd
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アシェラッド
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| Personal Description | |
| Nihongo | アシェラッド |
| Vital Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | Born ~969 |
| Status | Alive |
| Eyes | Blue |
| Hair | Blond |
| Height | 170 cm (5’7”) |
| Family | Olaf † (father) |
| Occupation | Viking Captain (former) |
| First Appearance | |
| Manga Debut | Chapter 1 |
| Anime Debut | Episode 2 |
| Portrayal | |
| Japanese Voice | Naoya Uchida |
| English Voice | David Wald |
- Japanese Name: アシェラッド (Asheraddo)
- Real Name: Lucius Artorius Castus (ルキウス・アルトリウス・カストゥス, Rukiusu Arutoriusu Kasutusu)
- Titles: Leader of Askeladd’s Band, Descendant of Artorius
- Franchise:Vinland Saga
- Nationality: Welsh-Danish
- Allies and Rivals: Thorfinn, Canute, Thorkell
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Émile Durkheim
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| Born |
David Émile Durkheim
15 April 1858 Épinal, France
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| Died | 15 November 1917(aged 59)
Paris,France
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| Nationality | French |
| Alma mater | École Normale Supérieure |
| Known for | Sacred–profane dichotomy Collective consciousness Social fact Social integration Anomie Collective effervescence |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies |
| Institutions | University of Paris, University of Bordeaux |
| Influences | Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill |
| Influenced | Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1] |
Background and Role
Askeladd, born Lucius Artorius Castus, is a complex figure in Vinland Saga, serving as both a mentor and a primary antagonist to Thorfinn during the War Arc. His roots as a Welsh-Danish Viking leader are steeped in myth and legacy; he claims descent from the Roman-British hero Lucius Artorius Castus through his mother. This heritage deeply influences his life, as he inherits not only a name but also his mother’s reverence for the legendary figure, seeing himself as a protector of his Welsh homeland against the encroaching Norse forces.
Askeladd’s nickname, meaning “Ashen Lad,” originates from his rough, impoverished youth, during which he often appeared covered in ash from menial tasks. Askeladd’s story begins in earnest when he accepts a contract from Floki to kill Thors, a mission that sets Thorfinn on a path of vengeance and intertwines their fates for over a decade. Following Thors’s death, Thorfinn remains with Askeladd’s mercenary band, seeking revenge by challenging Askeladd to duels—a dynamic that both nurtures Thorfinn’s combat abilities and provides Askeladd with a capable, albeit reluctant, ally.
Askeladd’s role reaches a turning point after his band suffers devastating losses to Thorkell’s forces. In a strategic move, he pledges his loyalty to Canute, the Danish prince, with a hidden agenda: to secure peace for Wales by aligning with Canute and thwarting future Viking incursions.
With a victorious grin and laughter that echoes his cunning, Askeladd revels in the aftermath of battle, embodying the complex charm and ruthless ambition of a seasoned warrior.
Personality and Legacy
Askeladd is a cunning, shrewd tactician who balances ruthlessness with a surprisingly noble side. While his actions are often brutal, he possesses a philosophical outlook and deep-seated loyalty to his mother’s heritage. Askeladd’s intelligence and tactical genius make him an unpredictable force; he’s as quick with his words as he is with a blade, and he often manipulates events to serve his long-term objectives. His complex morality makes him both detested and respected, especially by Thorfinn, who views him as both mentor and enemy.
Despite his outwardly callous behavior, Askeladd shows a willingness to sacrifice himself to achieve his ultimate goals. His loyalty to Wales, born from his mother’s teachings and the pride of his lineage, ultimately leads him to make critical choices that impact the fate of Canute’s rise to power and the Viking forces around him.
Relationship with Thorfinn
Askeladd’s relationship with Thorfinn is defined by a strange blend of hostility and mentorship. After killing Thorfinn’s father, Askeladd allows Thorfinn to stay, seeing potential in the boy and challenging him through sporadic duels to harden his fighting skills. Thorfinn, in turn, despises Askeladd but remains under his command, unwilling to leave until he exacts an honorable revenge. Through their interactions, Askeladd serves as an unorthodox teacher, forcing Thorfinn to confront difficult truths about honor, revenge, and the nature of survival.
Key Events
- Assassination of Thors: Askeladd accepts the mission from Floki to kill Thors, igniting Thorfinn’s quest for vengeance and creating a tense dynamic between the two.
- Service to Canute: After facing a crushing defeat by Thorkell, Askeladd strategically aligns himself with Canute, aiming to shape the prince’s influence for his own agenda of safeguarding Wales.
- Ultimate Sacrifice: In a bid to protect Wales, Askeladd’s final act reflects his deep-rooted loyalty, marking a significant shift in Canute’s leadership and Thorfinn’s path.
Trivia and Insights
- Askeladd’s Origin: His real name and background as Lucius Artorius Castus are drawn from historical legend, adding layers of mythic significance to his character and his motives.
- Duality of Loyalty: While he outwardly appears self-serving, Askeladd’s loyalty to Wales and his mother’s legacy drives his actions, showcasing a hidden altruism that clashes with his otherwise ruthless nature.
- Nicknames and Symbolism: His nickname, “Ashen Lad,” symbolizes both his resilience and the hardships he endured as a child, emphasizing his survivalist mentality.
- Mentorship to Thorfinn: Through his antagonistic relationship with Thorfinn, Askeladd becomes an unintentional mentor, shaping Thorfinn’s development and indirectly guiding him toward a path of self-discovery.
Askeladd remains one of Vinland Saga’s most intriguing figures, balancing his morally gray actions with a genuine loyalty to his heritage. His complex relationship with Thorfinn and his ultimate sacrifice leave a lasting impact on the story, cementing him as a character driven by both ambition and an unyielding sense of duty.