Athelstan quotes from Vikings

Athelstan

It was foretold that divine punishment would fall upon God's chosen people for all our grievous sins, and so it has happened.

Athelstan

[doesn't want to drink anymore but still smiles] Aghhh! Oh! No more.

Ragnar

We don't like those in our house to go hungry or thirsty. [gives him something to drink anyway] I am very curious about England. Does it have one king who rules over the whole country?

Athelstan

There are four kingdoms with four kings. You landed in the kingdom of Northumbria. The king of Northumbria is called Aelle. He is a great king. A powerful king.

Ragnar

Then why did his men not protect your temple?

Athelstan

Before you came, we had no need to protect our monastery. We lived in peace. Everyone respected it as a place of God.

Ragnar

Why does your God need silver and gold, hmm? He must be greedy. Like Loki! We have greedy gods too.

Athelstan

My God is not greedy. His kingdom is not of this world.

Ragnar

Then why is his kingdom so full of treasure?

Athelstan

Christian people give away their riches to the churches and monasteries in order to save their souls.

Ragnar

What are their souls? [pause] I want to learn some of your language. Will you teach me, priest?

Lagertha

Athelstan.

Ragnar

Athelstan, we want to ask you something.

Lagertha

Come and join us, priest.

Ragnar

Come on. Don't you want to? You'll enjoy it.

Athelstan

I am a monk. I have taken vows of celibacy. I cannot touch a woman. I never have.

Lagertha

Wouldn't you like to?

Athelstan

It would be a sin.

Lagertha

Who would know?

Athelstan

God would know.

Lagertha

What if he looked the other way?

Ragnar

Go to sleep then with your God.

King Ecbert

Tell me honestly: What do you think of these works?

Athelstan

I find them indescribably beautiful.

King Ecbert

But they are clearly pagan! [laughs] You are only a monk, Athelstan, and yet, somehow, I begin to trust you. I feel you... You are a kindred spirit. Who? Who painted these images? What race of man was ever so glorious that they filled our world with such, as you say, indescribable beauty?

Athelstan

I have been told, sire, that you served at the court of the emperor Charlemagne, which I have also visited. I cannot imagine, therefore, that you do not know what I know. That these images were painted by the Romans. They conquered these lands a long time ago. They conquered the whole world. But they were pagans. They worshiped false gods.

King Ecbert

Never speak of our conversation to any other man here. Nobody else would understand it; they would fear it! They accept an interpretation that a race of giants once lived here... [chuckles] And that we have nothing to do with them.

King Ecbert

The fact is, Athelstan, we have lost more knowledge than we ever had! These Romans knew things that we will never know. Their pagan gods allowed them to rule the world. And what is the lesson that we can learn from that?

King Ecbert

Come and see. Look around. You thought those paintings were all that there was. But of all Roman things, these are the most precious. Tales of the Caesars. The fall and ruin of Roman Britain. Tales of emperors and empires... It's the stuff of dreams, Athelstan. It's the very fabric of dreams. You can read them, of course.

Athelstan

Yes. Yes, I can read them.

King Ecbert

Good. That is why I've chosen you.

Athelstan

What do you mean?

King Ecbert

Well, I've chosen you to be the guardian of these books and their secrets. I want you to copy them. You speak Latin; not many do. Your job will be to preserve these works and these... fragments, for all eternity. But if you ever tell anyone about them, I will let them crucify you.