I have thought this many times but never said it, because I really didn't care that much. At least one person usually does bring it up in such discussions though.

I wouldn't call it accurate, but I wouldn't call it inaccurate, either. In fact, one of the appeals of the book it was based on was it's attempt at realism. It sought to put the Beowulf legend into a realistic context. Is a tribe of neanderthals living into the historical era considered likely? No, but more likely than some demonic beast with no clear origin. The costumes where questionable, but asides from some of the plate armor and the 1500's style Spanish helm, they were "possible," and I'm guessing they just took license to show that these guys were kinda wandering mercenaries.

ANYWAYS, yes, the vikings did not wear horned helms, although some bronze/early iron age priests of the region may have, on occasion. And while I agree that the Nirn =/= Earth argument allows for them to be worn, I hate that argument in general because it usually gets extrapolated to suggest that Nords are MOSTLY unique, which I think is questionable. For example, although they are TECHNICALLY unique from historical vikings, because they wear horned helmets, they are not totally unique from them, because horned helmets are a stereotype of real life vikings, accurate or no.

There's just so many people who think TES lore is 100% original, and fail to see the historical inspirations. For instance, the Redguards homeland of Yokuda was probably inspired (at least in name) by the African Yoruba culture. But most people have never heard of Yoruba, so when they hear "Yokuda" they think "Oh, that's so original, instead of Redguards coming from a place called Aprika or Orabia." I'm not saying the lore isn't unique...just not as unique as some people seem to think. Unique is easy, it's gibberish. But using historical inspirations in a unique way is awesome, because you can "see" the same sources the devs saw when they were writing the lore. And that allows you make guesses about how those races "might" differ from others. If they were all unique, all things would be possible, and the differences between Redguards and Kahjiits would only be fur.

Already knew that but to be honest this is fantasy, and eventhough there may be some resemblances to the "Vikings" of old...that is pretty much it!

Nords are their own culture anyways...

Horns on helmets not historically accurate, cancelling pre-order. :sadvaultboy:

Expecting a fantasy game set in a fictional world to be using accurate garb is idiotic. :shakehead:

Being of norse lines myself, it has bothered me slightly, but mostly due to the tactical disadvantage of having horns on your helmet. It's ideal for grabbing, especially from behind; an enenmy can throw you off balance, hold you still or rip your helmet right off.

I don't think anyone really think vikings helms had horns. Not sure about Hollywood promoting this idea either. I'ts more a cartonesque/bachelor party thing. They were other cultures like ethruscan having horns in their helms though.

Vikings were raiders many probably didn't have helmets to begin with. After battles they would loot bodies and if they found a horned helmet they would wear it for more protection in the shield wall. Also the Romans didn't form testudo when being charged by barbarians but did that stop Hollywood from doing it in the Eagle? No! It's a movie based on Romans and they can't get it right that's worth telling facts. Not comparing a fictional game race to the Norse. Now we need to mail the Minnesota Vikings and any other [censored] who has put horns on Vikings!

hollywood didnt make it up christian missionaries did to make the "evil" pagans sound more menacing and demonic and such =]

Truth be told, with the exception of the Minnesota Vikings, I thought that the generally accepted characature of Vikings included WINGS on the helmets, not horns.

Which is just straight odd.

Not hollywood..its a legend from looong before that. No one knows just when but its a good guess that it came from the christian monks in England. They were convinced in the early years of viking raiding that they were the foretold death from the north and were devils.. therefore; horns.

For ceremonial use, not for battle... and its not from viking age. Its an ancient celtic or saxon helmet

horned helmets were only ceremonial...
oh crap ninja′d