Svein is Earl Haraldson's devoted steward and right-hand man in Kattegat.
Biography[]
Season 1[]
Svein assists Earl Haraldson in dispensing justice during the Thing. He brings out those accused of crimes and announces what they have been accused of.
Svein spends a long time painfully torturing Rollo until Haraldson steps in to take over. When Haraldson was slain by Ragnar Lothbrok in single combat, Svein demanded that members of Haraldson's household guards kill Ragnar before Rollo buried an axe in his chest.
Personality[]
A dwarfish and malevolent man, Svein's psychopathic tendencies were put to effective use by Haraldson, and Svein was more than willing to get his hands dirty in order to take care of business on behalf of his earl, as long as he has bigger henchmen to back him up. Even murdering children wasn't beneath him, and he is unrepentant. Svein seemed devoted to Haraldson in all ways. He was cruel and sadistic by nature. The one time he participates in battle, he's the one to deal Ragnar his most severe wounds during the Earl's raid. Svein could be deadpan and snarky. Unlike almost all the other Vikings, Svein seems content with his administrative role as Haraldson's steward, instead of actively seeking glory on the battlefield like a regular Norseman. Whenever Haraldson orders violence upon anyone with the ability to resist, Svein delegates those tasks. The only time he shows any high emotion is when Haraldson is killed. Svein could be chillingly polite and mild-mannered while carrying out brutal murders remorselessly and without emotion.
Trivia[]
- The Old Norse term Stivardur (steward) would describe Svein's status in Kattegat, as well as being one of the Hirdmenn (sworn household warriors) of Earl Haraldson.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
| Season One Appearances | ||||
| Rites of Passage | Wrath of the Northmen | Dispossessed | ||
| Trial | Raid | Burial of the Dead | ||
| A King's Ransom | Sacrifice | All Change | ||