1200 years later the Vikings have good publicists. They connected Ireland to England and Europe. The slave taking and sword-work aren’t so much at the forefront of the narrative. They introduced us to trousers. OK. And the helmets…
Viking society only developed in the 9th century C.E., and there is no sign that Vikings really wore horned helmets. According to History.com, the legend likely originated with Scandinavian artists in the 1800s, who popularized portrayals of the nomadic raiders wearing the equipment in their works.