"No, no. I meant that compared to the thing I'm searching for, both women and riches are nothing" - Willibald
Willibald (ヴィリバルド Viribarudo?) is a friar travelling with Canute's army.
Appearance
Willibald is a shaggy man with messy light blond hair and a matching color full beard and gray eyes. Once he reaches Gainsborough, he’s clean-shaven and gets a tonsure. He wears a black robe and shoes.
Personality

Willibald is an extremely spiritual man, journeying to find what knowledge or experiences will turn him into an undoubtedly righteous individual. Seeking to become a true man of "love". Although, Willibald's definition of love is far different than how most people define it. Seeing love as akin to utter selflessness rather than a particular like, affection or bias towards any specific individual, group or sensory pleasure. Disregarding any other interpretation as an immoral falsehood.
Willibald's behavior ranges from uninhibited to mild-mannered with an incredible stoicism that borders on apathy. Being prone to random outbursts with no worries about the disturbance/annoyance of others in his surroundings when it comes to matters of God and moral quandaries (Often needing copious amounts of alcohol to be calmed down). But has rather subdued reactions to the personal conflicts of other people. Whether it be beatings/death threats towards himself or a massacre of innocents. Only showing sentiment when praying for the wronged people at the cross. Wilibald even began to have doubt of God's love for humanity due to the torment that many people face from those more powerful and malevolent than themselves.
History
Not much is explained about Willibald's past. Only that he once lived at King Sweyn's palace, but chose to work with the likes of Ragnar due to not seeing anything of value amongst Sweyn's possessions in his search for "love". Doing little else but drinking amongst Askeladd's men and sometimes talking with them. The only action from Willibald that's had a significant effect to the Vinland Saga timeline was that the sharing of his outlook on the world was one of the catalysts for Canute's first paradigm shift away from his originally timid self. Telling Canute that Ragnar's affection for him was not true love. But rather prejudice that is no different than the attitude of one who kneels to a king then whips his slave. As Ragnar let 62 innocent people die just to preserve Canute's life. Believing that love is only something that gives without taking from another or asking anything in compensation. Much like a deer's rotting corpse that's food for any animal that comes by. Motivating Canute to create his own paradise on Earth. Something that Willibald believed was a miracle unfolding before his very eyes. Wilibald was last seen drinking amongst Askeladd's men. Downing over 55 servings of alchohol and outdoing the most stout vikings.
Appearances
Manga Appearances
- Chapter 21 - Valhalla (Debut)
- Chapter 22 - The Troll's Son
- Chapter 24 - The Land on the Far Bank
- Chapter 27 - The Warriors and the Monk
- Chapter 28 - Night Attack
- Chapter 29 - Father and Son
- Chapter 32 - Defectors
- Chapter 33 - Betrayal
- Chapter 36 - Two on the Battlefield
- Chapter 37 - The Definition of Love
- Chapter 38 - Out of the Cradle
- Chapter 39 - The King Awakens
Anime Appearances
- Episode 10 - Ragnarok (Debut)
- Episode 11 - A Gamble
- Episode 12 - The Land on the Far Bank
- Episode 14 - The Light of Dawn
- Episode 15 - After Yule
- Episode 16 - History of Beasts
- Episode 18 - Out of the Cradle
- Episode 20 - Crown