[spoilers] What if Heahmund was at Lindisfarne instead of Athelstan?
I don't know if this what if has ever been asked in this subreddit, anyway…
Needless to say, the story would have been completely different, regardless of the outcome of this what if.
Basically, Ragnar and his 20 fellow Vikings raid Lindisfarne as we all know, except that, instead of Athelstan, they find the hot-tempered Christian Bishop "HEATHEN!!!" hater Heahmund.
In this case, there are two possible outcomes:
- Heahmund dies.
He fights to the death, dies as a martyr, period. No potential bridge between Norsemen and Anglo-Saxons.
or
- Heahmund lives.
He is spared just like he is originally spared in the battle of York, due to Ragnar respecting his bravery and battle skills.
He is resentful of Ragnar and of every HEATHEN, due to their barbaric showcase of violence and irreverence, he would never become the former's close friend… yet, Ragnar and Heahmund would both develop a sincere and genuine respect towards each other as unyielding and brave warriors.
There will probably be no intellectual chemistry between them, due to Heahmund being much more dogmatic, though Ragnar's curiosity would still be there. Heahmund could also become a little more open minded, but still, I think he would fundamentally remain the dogmatic Heahmund we all know.
I could also see him initially refusing to partecipate in a threesome with Ragnar and Lagertha, due to his hatred towards pagan Norsemen, only for him to start developing feelings for Lagertha (now whether she would get it on with Heahmund, is a completely different story).
Anyway, even in this case, how would he bridge between Norsemen and Anglo-Saxons? He would never fight against his own people. He'd rather die. Ragnar would bring a chained Heahmund with him in England, preventing the bishop's possible escape, which would be a problem as he would then give a lot of intel to Aelle/Ecgbert, plus a free Heahmund supported by an army would be a massive threat. And I don't see Ragnar handing Heahmund to the English kings, letting him free, that would be dumb.
(No Athelstan in Lindisfarne also means there will be no Alfred! Aethelred becomes king)
What are your thoughts?