This sounds like a great project, and it's a good foundation for further studies as well, if you're thinking about applying to graduate programs. You might consider finding some particular events to compare with the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (I prefer Swanton's translation) or with one of the Frankish annals (many of which may be found in Dutton).

As one option, you might look at what Timothy Bolton has written about Thorkell the Tall in his book on Cnut the Great. Bolton does some comparisons between the sagas and other sources, as I recall, which would (a) point you toward specific sources, and (b) give you a historian you could argue against—i.e. the two constituent pieces of any historical argument. If you wanted, this would also give you the chance to bring in some archaeological evidence as well, since Thorkell could probably be associated with the wealthy site at Uppåkra in Scania, which has been well published. A similar option would be looking into the historical Ragnar Lodbrok. I've written up some comments with possible sources here.