Farmer, family man and rebel Ragnar Lothbrok is determined to sail west to discover new lands and riches despite an intimidating warning from his village's tyrannical leader, Lord Haraldson, who makes it clear in no uncertain terms that doing so could result in severe consequences.

Ragnar travels to Götaland to help King Horik resolve a land dispute with the area's leader, Jarl Borg. Meanwhile, sickness infects the village of Kattegat, and the people look to Lagertha to help them appease the gods.

The battle begins between Ragnar and King Horik's forces against Jarl Borg; Princess Aslaug makes her way to Kattegat.

The time has come for an unlikely alliance to band together for a new raid on England; a storm pushes the Viking fleet to a new destination; Ragnar and his men may have met their match.

King Ecbert finds himself facing an entirely new kind of foe; Ragnar races to dominate in the west; Jarl Borg has his own plans in store for the future of Kattegat.

Ragnar and Ecbert come face to face; Jarl Borg rules Kattegat with an iron fist; Rollo must now become the leader his people need in Ragnar's absence.

Lagertha and Ragnar unite to try to win Kattegat back from Jarl Borg; Aslaug must face the truth of her prophecies; Athelstan struggles to define his faith; Bjorn must once again make a choice.

King Horik returns to Kattegat with a surprising proposition for Ragnar; Lagertha runs into a less than enthusiastic homecoming from her new husband; Athelstan becomes confidant to King Ecbert.

Ragnar and King Horik clash over how to dispense justice to Jarl Borg. In Wessex, King Aelle arrives and Ecbert has an eye on a new alliance.