Vinland Saga
Set in early 11th-century Northern Europe and England, Vinland Saga follows Thorfinn, a boy consumed by revenge against the mercenary who killed his father, on an epic journey through war, slavery, and exploration that ultimately leads him toward founding a peaceful settlement in North America.
- Genre:
- 歴史 / バイキング / 青年漫画
- Medium:
- Manga / Anime
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Vinland Saga — Timeline21 events
Battle of Hjörungavágr and Thors's Desertion from the Jomsvikings
A naval battle was fought between the Jomsvikings under King Harald of Denmark and the Norwegian jarl Haakon. The renowned Jomsviking warrior Thors, known as 'the Troll of Jom,' deserted the battle, faked his death, and fled to Iceland to live in peace. This historical engagement provides the backstory for the protagonist's father.
Vol.1巻 — Historical date is c. 986 (some sources cite 984–987). The manga uses 987. Vol. 1.
Birth of Thorfinn in Iceland
Thorfinn was born to Thors and Helga in a small coastal village in Iceland, where Thors had settled after his desertion. The character is modeled after the historical Norse explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni.
Vol.1巻 — Inferred from Thorfinn's age at key story events; approximately 996.
Leif Erikson Reaches Vinland
Norse explorer Leif Erikson from Greenland reached the coast of North America, naming it Vinland. This historical achievement is referenced in the manga as the inspiration behind Thorfinn's dream of reaching Vinland. Archaeological evidence at L'Anse aux Meadows, dated to around 1021 by dendrochronology, confirms the Norse presence.
Vol.1〜2巻 — Historical date approximately 1000 CE. Leif appears as a named character in the manga.
Death of Thors in the Faroe Islands
Conscripted by the Jomsvikings to sail to England, Thors was ambushed by Askeladd's mercenary band in the Faroe Islands. To protect his crew and his son, he surrendered alone and was killed by a volley of arrows. Ten-year-old Thorfinn witnessed his father's death and swore revenge.
Vol.1巻 第16話Ch. — Ch. 16 'The Death of Thors,' vol. 1. Estimated as approximately 7 years before the 1013 England invasion; no explicit year given.
Thorfinn Travels with Askeladd's Band and Repeatedly Duels Him
To avenge his father, Thorfinn joined Askeladd's mercenary company. Over roughly seven years he fought across multiple battlefields in exchange for the right to challenge Askeladd to single combat, losing each duel. This period forged Thorfinn into a formidable fighter.
Vol.1〜8巻 — Covers the first half of the War Arc across vols. 1–8. No specific years are stated; estimated as the period leading up to the 1013 invasion.
Sweyn Forkbeard Launches the Invasion of England
Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard launched his invasion of England up the River Humber in August 1013. Several towns surrendered at Gainsborough as the Danish army advanced through Mercia toward Wessex. Askeladd's mercenary band joined the campaign, bringing Thorfinn into the heart of the war.
Vol.2〜3巻 第18話Ch. — Ch. 18 'England, 1013.' Corresponds to the historical invasion of England by Sweyn Forkbeard in 1013.
The Battle of London Bridge
The Danish forces under King Sweyn besieged London, fighting a major battle over London Bridge on the Thames. The English defenders were supported by Thorkell, who had switched sides. One of the largest-scale battles in the manga, closely referencing the historical siege of London.
Vol.3巻 第19話Ch. — Ch. 19 'The Battle of London Bridge.' Historically the siege of London occurred 1013–1014.
Capture of Prince Canute and His Encounter with Askeladd
Prince Canute of Denmark, isolated during clashes with Thorkell's forces, was taken captive by Askeladd's mercenary band. Initially held as a valuable hostage, Canute's time traveling with the band became the catalyst for his profound personal transformation.
Vol.3〜5巻 — Vols. 3–5. Exact month not stated in the manga.
Death of Ragnar and Canute's Awakening
Ragnar, Canute's loyal foster father and protector, was killed by Askeladd. This loss, combined with the teachings of the monk Atli, shattered Canute's timid nature and prompted him to form his own resolve as a future king, reinterpreting the concept of divine love.
Vol.5〜6巻 — Vols. 5–6.
Death of King Sweyn and Askeladd's End
When King Sweyn announced plans to invade Wales, Askeladd assassinated the king in the throne room while feigning madness, allowing Canute to cut him down and clear the path to the throne without political backlash. Through this final act of self-sacrifice, Askeladd was killed by Canute. Thorfinn was arrested at the scene.
Vol.7〜8巻 第52〜54話Ch. — Ch. 52–54, vols. 7–8. Historically Sweyn Forkbeard died suddenly in February 1014; the manga depicts it as an assassination.
Canute Crowned King of England and the Foundation of the North Sea Empire
Following Askeladd's death, Canute inherited the thrones of England and Denmark. The manga depicts his transformation into a calculating ruler who pursues his vision of earthly paradise through political ruthlessness. Historically, Canute became the undisputed King of England in 1016 and later ruled Norway, forming the North Sea Empire.
Vol.8巻 — From ch. 54 onward, vol. 8. Historically Canute secured England in 1016 and controlled Norway by 1028.
Thorfinn Condemned to Slavery and Sold
Arrested at the scene of the king's assassination and subsequently caught attempting to assassinate Canute, Thorfinn was condemned to slavery and auctioned. Robbed of his sole purpose in life, he fell into apathy and was transported to a farm in Denmark.
Vol.8〜9巻 — Vols. 8–9. The period before Thorfinn's sale into slavery is not precisely stated.
Arrival at Ketil's Farm and Meeting Einar
Thorfinn and a newly enslaved man named Einar were assigned to the large farm of Ketil, a wealthy landowner in southern Jutland, Denmark. Ketil offered them a plot of land to clear, promising freedom once their harvests earned back their purchase price. The contrasting characters of the listless Thorfinn and the spirited Einar formed the core of this arc.
Vol.9巻 第55〜56話Ch. — Ch. 55–56, vol. 9. Fandom timeline records June 1015.
Farm Labor and Thorfinn's Awakening to Pacifism
Over years of labor on Ketil's farm, Thorfinn wrestled with recurring nightmares and gradually confronted his inner violence. Through his friendship with Einar and memories of his father's words — 'a true warrior needs no sword' — he began moving toward a life without killing.
Vol.9〜14巻 — Vols. 9–14. Covers the roughly three-plus years of farm life.
The Tragedy of Arnheid and the Death of Gardar
Arnheid, an enslaved woman on Ketil's farm, was reunited with her fugitive husband Gardar, who was subsequently cornered and killed by the farm's guard captain Snake and his men. Arnheid herself later died as a result of abuse by Ketil, exposing the violence underlying the farm's apparent calm.
Vol.12〜14巻 — Around vols. 12–14.
King Canute's Seizure of Ketil's Farm
King Canute engineered a pretext to invade Ketil's farm in order to seize its wealth and land. Ketil fled, and many associated with the farm were dispersed. This event directly catalyzed Thorfinn's and Einar's release from slavery and set them on the road toward Thorfinn's new goal.
Vol.14巻 — Around vol. 14. Fandom timeline records October 1018.
Thorfinn Declares His Plan to Reach Vinland
Freed from slavery, Thorfinn declared his intent to found a peaceful settlement in Vinland — a land in North America where anyone could live without weapons or war. Drawing on accounts he had heard from Leif Erikson, he began recruiting companions for the voyage with Einar at his side.
Vol.15巻 — Around vol. 15, immediately following the end of the Slave Arc.
Eastern Expedition Toward Byzantium
To raise funds and resources for the Vinland voyage, Thorfinn joined a trading and mercenary expedition toward the Byzantine Empire. Through encounters with diverse peoples and cultures, his pacifist convictions were repeatedly tested.
Vol.15〜20巻 — Vols. 15–20. Corresponds to the third arc of the manga.
Return to Iceland and Recruiting Settlers
After returning to Iceland from his long eastern journey, Thorfinn began recruiting settlers willing to join the Vinland voyage. He reunited with family in his homeland as concrete preparations for the crossing got underway.
Vol.20〜21巻 — Fandom timeline records return to Iceland in June 1021.
Landing in Vinland and Contact with Indigenous Peoples
Sailing via Greenland, Thorfinn's group reached Vinland on the North American continent and encountered its indigenous inhabitants, depicted as modeled on the Mi'kmaq people. The arc centers on their efforts to find a way to coexist across language and cultural barriers without resorting to violence.
Vol.21〜26巻 — Vols. 21–26 onward. The depiction of indigenous peoples was developed in consultation with Mi'kmaq cultural advisors.
Founding of Arnheid Village and Fulfillment of Thorfinn's Dream
A settlement named after the enslaved woman Arnheid was established in Vinland. With unarmed settlers and indigenous peoples living side by side, this village represented the concrete realization of Thorfinn's long-held dream of a world without killing.
Vol.26巻以降 — Final chapters (vol. 26 onward). The manga concluded in July 2025 with ch. 220.
Related timelines
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