Siggy is the cunning wife of Earl Haraldson, and the former Lady of Kattegat.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Siggy is the wife of Earl Haraldson, and rules by his side in Kattegat. Together they have three children. Their two sons were brutally murdered by Haraldson's enemies. Siggy and the earl don't know who killed their sons. Their living child is Thyri.
Season 1[]
Siggy is at her husband's side during the Thing. When Björn and Olaf Ingolfsson receive their arm rings from Earl Haraldson, marking them as men, both boys receive a kiss from Siggy.
While at dinner one night, a large old man named Earl Bjarni arrives from Svealand. Haraldson invites him to join their table, and tells him to sit next to Thyri so they can get to know each other better. Siggy asks why he should sit next to Thyri, and Haraldson reveals that Thyri and Bjarni are going to be married. This marriage will provide an ally for Haraldson, as well as twenty pounds of silver. Siggy is hurt and angry about this development and storms from the hall.
Haraldson goes to his wife in their bedroom. Siggy is angry that he did not tell her of the marriage, saying he has treated her with contempt and does not care. Haraldson surprises her when he agrees with her, explaining that he stopped caring about a lot of things when their sons were murdered, and he reveals the details of their deaths. Not only were their sons murdered, but their heads were cut off and set against their backsides before they were buried in a shallow grave as a sign of disrespect toward the earl. He presents Siggy with two locks of hair that he took from their heads and says that compared with his knowledge, being married to an old rich man is not so bad.
When Ragnar and Haraldson fight each other in personal combat, she roots for her husband, but when Ragnar defeats and kills him, she tries to not cry and she quickly defects to his side to stay safe and protect her daughter. She kills Bjarni and steers the citizens of Kattegat to hail their new Earl. At the funeral of Haraldson, she asks Ragnar's permission to light the pyre, but he mockingly hands the torch to a man. It seems like she wants to stay in the boat and burn with her husband. Later, she and her daughter pack some of their treasures to leave, when Rollo enters. Startled, Siggy assumes he has come to kill them by order of Ragnar, but he says Ragnar holds no grudge against them and they don't have to leave as he will vouch for them. Rollo forces Siggy to marry him if she wants her daughter and herself to be protected.
When Ragnar goes on another raid to England, Siggy enters the Earl's home to ask Lagertha permission to be their servant. Lagertha accepts, saying she would have done the same if Haraldson had defeated Ragnar, despite protests by Björn. She acts as a servant to the Earl's family and lover of Rollo. Siggy comforts Lagertha when she loses her and Ragnar's unborn son in a miscarriage. She also travels along with Ragnar's family, Rollo, and her daughter Thyri to Uppsala for the ritual sacrifice.
When Ragnar and Rollo have joined with King Horik to help end a dispute with Jarl Borg from Gotland, Kattegat is struck by a plague. Siggy, Thyri, Gyda, and Athelstan are among the people who get sick. Although Siggy recovers, she is heartbroken when she finds out her daughter has perished, along with Ragnar and Lagertha's daughter Gyda.
Season 2[]
Four years have passed since Rollo fought against his brother Ragnar and barely escaped execution. At the news that Ragnar is once again seeking to raid England, Siggy seeks out Rollo, who's asleep in the street. She gives him the ultimatum of either asking to join the raid or to "have a blade shoved into his ribs.” Rollo visits his brother, who welcomes him back as kin, but refuses to let him join the raid. Siggy, meanwhile, pays a visit to King Horik to relay information about Ragnar. "It is always a strength to know the weakness of your friends," she tells him, before they sleep together.
While the boats set sail, Aslaug invites Siggy to join her in her chambers. Aslaug offers her hand in friendship, though she acknowledges that Siggy must also yearn for the same power she now wields, and what Siggy once had. Bitter at being uninvited on the raid, Jarl Borg sets his sights on Kattegat. With his ships on the horizon, Siggy plans to fight back; Rollo tells her she needs to take Aslaug and her sons to safety. Realizing the battle is lost, and wanting to ensure Ragnar's family remains safe, Rollo leaves Kattegat to join Aslaug and Siggy. Though they are safe, Aslaug complains tirelessly at how dirty and uncomfortable her new home in the mountains is. Siggy retorts that she should be happy they are all alive.
Meanwhile, in England, Ragnar receives word that Kattegat has been taken over by Jarl Borg. He immediately returns home and is pleased to find his wife and sons uninjured. Ragnar wastes no time in plotting revenge; though he is surprised to see that Lagertha and Bjorn have come to his aid with reinforcements. Together, they manage to beat Jarl Borg back and retake Kattegat.
Several days later, Siggy meets with the Seer and reveals she is bitter and angry that Ragnar killed her husband. "Everything I was had been stripped away from me," she tells the Seer. She is unable to forgive Ragnar, but the Seer says Ragnar could have easily have killed her as well. Siggy refuses to be grateful to her husband's murderer and asks if the gods will ever smile on her again. "The gods always smile on brave women," he says.
A dinner party is held upon the return of King Horik and the remaining men from England. He tells Ragnar that they were ambushed and barely made it out alive. In order to go back, however, King Horik believes they need the help of Jarl Borg, and Rollo is chosen to go to him.
The next day, Rollo leaves to speak with Jarl Borg. He and Siggy share a fond farewell. After the dinner party, Siggy meets with King Horik, who has also invited his son to witness the "game" they play. King Horik asks her why she invites him to her bed to relay information about Ragnar. Siggy replies that everything she does, she does for Rollo. The King doesn't seem convinced. He tells Siggy that he wants her to make his son Erlendur a man. Siggy toys with the idea, and eventually gives in to King Horik's wishes.
Season 3[]
Ragnar and Lagertha's fleets depart for Wessex, this time bringing settlers as well as warriors. In Kattegat, Siggy, Helga, and Aslaug find out that they are all having the same unusual dream about a stranger, a man with no face. There's snow on the ground, footsteps therein. The stranger’s arms are outstretched: flaming snow in one hand, his other hand covered in blood. Behind him, drops of blood smoke in the ground. The women do not seem very concerned about the dream, however, until the Wanderer shows up.
Harbard the Wanderer walks into Kattegat, one hand bleeding. He is invited to stay, nonetheless, though Siggy is suspicious, as per the norm. He tells the women – Siggy, Aslaug, and Helga – that he tells stories for a living. Harbard later sings for his supper, telling a great and fantastic story about himself, which Siggy does not believe. Helga realizes he must be Thor and Harbard plays along, agreeing to the notion. Conversation is interrupted by Aslaug's youngest son, the crippled child Ivar, who starts to cry. Harbard goes to him, and quietly speaks to the little boy, putting him to sleep. Siggy is even more suspicious, though a little relieved to have some help. Harbard proves able to calm the shrieking child at other times as well, prompting Siggy to ask if he is a god.
Siggy goes to see the Seer, telling him about the strange wanderer, the dreams that preceded him, the premonitions of disaster. He has seen nothing. But Siggy has – she tells the Seer about the dream, and saw that no one could help them. The Seer agrees – no one can help them.
Meanwhile, Aslaug and Harbard have grown closer. Siggy begs her to take some responsibility; there are people to be seen, decisions to be made. Aslaug is weary, she knows what Ragnar is doing abroad – she was once herself the desirable princess, though now Ragnar seems less than interested in her. Siggy takes over her responsibilities, which for now include watching over Aslaug's sons.
The boys race off onto the frozen lake, causing the ice to crack. The boys fall into the water and Siggy immediately jumps in after them. Harbard also arrives to pull the boys from Siggy's arms. Siggy, however, does not fight anymore. A vision of her deceased daughter, Thyri, prompts her to let go. She drifts into the icy water. She rejoins her husband in Valhalla.
Personality[]
Siggy is not a woman to be underestimated, although many often do. While she is loyal to her husband, her primary concern is protecting her daughter. She is politically astute and has an ability to ensure that she comes out on top, even if her husband doesn't. When her husband his killed and she loses her places as Lady of Kattegat, she is driven by her desire to reclaim what she has lost and will go to any lengths to get it back. Her political acumen is on full display when she appears to ingratiate herself with King Horik, only for it to be revealed that she was on Ragnar's side the entire time while also setting up Horik and his family for capture and execution.
Siggy is quite the protective mother, even for children who are not her own. She loves children dearly. She puts her only remaining child first. This is put into action when she stabs Earl Bjarni in the stomach, killing him, after Ragnar kills her husband. Another example of her protective instincts is when King Horik tells her to kill Ragnar's children, this command only serves to ensure she will betray Horik. Siggy even makes the ultimate sacrifice when she saves Hvitserk and Ubbe from drowning when they fall into a frozen lake.
Relationships[]
Earl Haraldson[]
Siggy loves Haraldson deeply, but his depression and cruelty often drive her away. She encourages Haraldson's paranoia and cruelty, but mostly as a result of her efforts to give him confidence and make him feel positive. She is clearly shattered at his death.
Rollo[]
Siggy tries to make a similar relationship that she had with Haraldson when she begins a relationship with Rollo, but his unfaithfulness to her makes it difficult. She starts playing on Rollo's envy and insecurities to manipulate him. However, she does appear to genuinely love and comfort Rollo, too. When Rollo is brought back to Kattegat in chains after the Battle of the Brothers, Siggy convinces him to stay and continue his rise to power. Upon her death, Rollo is racked with guilt about how he should have treated Siggy better.
Trivia[]
- In Born Again, Siggy only appears in archive footage from Scarred.
- Siggy's death was written in at Jessalyn Gilsig's request as she could no longer handle the long filming periods in Ireland that meant she was away from her young daughter.
Appearances[]
| Season One Appearances | ||||
| Rites of Passage | Wrath of the Northmen | Dispossessed | ||
| Trial | Raid | Burial of the Dead | ||
| A King's Ransom | Sacrifice | All Change | ||
| Season two appearances | ||||
| Brother's War | Invasion | Treachery | Eye For an Eye | Answers in Blood |
| Unforgiven | Blood Eagle | Boneless | The Choice | The Lord's Prayer |
| Season three appearances | ||||
| Mercenary | The Wanderer | Warrior's Fate | Scarred | The Usurper |
| Born Again | Paris | To the Gates! | Breaking Point | The Dead |