Hammer of the Gods (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Bagsecg believes Hakan is the only worthy successor because he views Steinar as unfit for leadership. Although Steinar is his son and desires the crown, Bagsecg has lost faith in Steinar's ability to rule. The film reveals that Hakan was previously exiled due to his instability, but Bagsecg now believes enough time has passed for Hakan to return and reclaim his rightful place as the firstborn.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Bagsecg's doubt about Steinar's fitness is established when he denies Steinar the crown despite the prince's ambitions.

• bagsecg
• hakan
• king
• succession
• viking throne

Bagsecg orders Vali's death because Vali has refused to take up arms and fight alongside the Viking army. In the context of a war-torn 871 AD Britain, refusing to fight is seen as cowardice and betrayal of the Viking people. Bagsecg views Vali's refusal as shameful and unacceptable, especially when every able warrior is needed against the Saxon forces.

Foreshadowing: This order establishes the moral tension between duty and family loyalty that Steinar must navigate throughout his journey.

• bagsecg
• vali
• kill order
• viking army
• cowardice

Hakan was exiled by Bagsecg due to his instability and violent behavior, but the true reason revealed later is far more disturbing. Hakan had a taboo incestuous relationship with their shared mother, which led to her living in exile with him in his cave lair. This dark family secret explains why Bagsecg banished him and why the relationship was considered so shameful it required complete removal from the kingdom.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at this dark past when Steinar ponders why Bagsecg had once deemed Hakan unfit, foreshadowing the horrifying truth.

• hakan
• exile
• incest
• mother
• family secret

The evidence strongly suggests Vali was indeed betraying the group. When Hagen discovers a Saxon coin on Grim after the ambush, suspicion falls on Vali, who has Saxon heritage. The fact that the ambush was so precisely timed and targeted, killing Grim specifically, indicates someone inside the group provided information to the Saxons. While Vali claims thieves killed the horses, his survival without injury despite being separated from the group adds to the suspicion.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Vali's Saxon heritage is mentioned, and his refusal to fight for the Vikings hints at divided loyalties.

• vali
• betrayal
• saxon coin
• ambush
• treachery

Hakan's act of killing and devouring Jokul demonstrates just how far he has descended into savagery during his years in exile. Living as the brutal ruler of a band of outcasts in the forest, Hakan has abandoned Viking civilization and embraced extreme brutality. The cannibalism serves as a shocking display of his complete moral corruption and transformation into a feral beast, far removed from his former life as a prince.

Foreshadowing: Ivar's warning about Hakan being unstable and dangerous, combined with Steinar's discovery of Hakan ruling over savage outcasts, foreshadows this horrifying moment.

• hakan
• cannibalism
• jokul
• savagery
• exile

Steinar refuses to kill Vali because of their familial bond as half-brothers and his strong moral compass. Even when Hagen and Jokul pressure him to kill Vali to gain the gods' favor, Steinar remains steadfast in his refusal to murder family. This loyalty ultimately leads to a fatal confrontation with Hagen, who tries to kill Vali anyway, forcing Steinar to defend his brother.

Foreshadowing: Steinar's initial refusal to harm Vali when Bagsecg first gave the order establishes his unwavering position on this matter.

• steinar
• vali
• half-brother
• moral choice
• loyalty

Harald's conspiracy with the Saxon king creates a parallel threat while Steinar is away searching for Hakan. While Steinar risks his life to bring back a worthy king, Harald plots to seize the Viking throne by allying with the enemy. This betrayal adds urgency to Steinar's mission and ultimately sets up his final confrontation. When Steinar defeats Hakan and returns, he also defeats Harald's scheme, clearing the path for his own coronation.

Foreshadowing: Vali reveals Harald's treachery to Steinar, explaining why he chose to join the quest rather than remain with Harald, who would have killed him.

• harald
• conspiracy
• saxon king
• throne
• treachery

Steinar becomes king by fulfilling his father's wishes while simultaneously defeating both threats to the throne. He locates Hakan, but when Hakan refuses to submit and kills Vali, Steinar defeats him in combat, fulfilling Bagsecg's dying wish that a worthy successor take the throne. Simultaneously, Harald's conspiracy is defeated. With his main rivals dead and having proven his worth through battle, Steinar ascends as the new King of Vikings.

Foreshadowing: Bagsecg's dying command for Steinar to find Hakan sets the entire quest in motion, ultimately leading to Steinar's coronation.

• steinar
• king
• viking throne
• coronation
• victory

Agnes, Ivar's servant, proves crucial to the group's survival when they are captured by the Saxons. When the Saxon leader attempts to persuade Steinar to switch sides and ally with the Church for power, Agnes intervenes at a crucial moment to free Steinar from his bonds. This allows Steinar to mount a rescue of his remaining companions, demonstrating that her loyalty lies with the Vikings despite being in Saxon territory.

Foreshadowing: Agnes accompanies the group after Ivar agrees to help them, showing her willingness to risk everything for their cause.

• agnes
• saxon capture
• escape
• rescue
• i var

After Steinar defeats Hakan in their duel, he severs Hakan's head and brings it back as proof of his victory. This act serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates Steinar's dominance over the rival claimant, fulfills Bagsecg's quest to remove the unworthy Hakan from succession, and establishes Steinar as the true king. Steinar returns with Hakan's severed head and Agnes, reclaiming his position as leader of the Viking band.

Foreshadowing: The brutal nature of Viking succession battles and the requirement to prove worth through combat foreshadow this violent conclusion.

• hakan
• severed head
• duel
• steinar
• victory