During the scene in which the heavily bandaged Njorl is on trial, there is a loud thud from off screen followed by a roar of laughter from the studio audience. What the cameras didn't pick up was the bandaged actor being replaced with a dummy for the end of the sketch and, in the process, falling over backward. Michael Palin, who IS on camera at the time, visibly stifles laughter as he delivers his lines.
Alan Whicker was a real-life television reporter whose voice and mannerisms are much the same as those of the "Whickers" in this episode.
There is a real-life Icelandic saga called Njáls Saga which bears little relation to Njorl's Saga.
Plot centers on a viking named Erik. In years to come, Terry Jones would make a movie called Erik the Viking.
Alternate title: "Whicker's World."