Just rewatched this on Netflix. Pam booing Ryan was awesome.

King Aelle apparently chucked him into that snake pit he is so fond of, as Season 1 reveals.

Aethelwulf probably wouldn't be a fan of that either. He seems to have a very idealized vision of life, and is a solid and ambitious figure, but one who isn't nearly as practical as his father yet.

That would be ahistorical. The Catholic church at that point did confessions, sure, but primarily in a much more informal manner and usually done a lot more in the Mediterranean areas.

In small scale coastal engagements against local levies or civilians, sure.