The Last Kingdom is a Netflix series that follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a fictional character who fought against the Vikings and married his daughter, Stiorra. The show is based on Bernard Cornwell’s book series and features real historical figures like Alfred the Great. Brida, a Danish-raised Viking warrior, is the central antagonist in the series.
The real-life historical figure was one of Aethelred’s sons, and Alfred the Great was his uncle. In the series, Brida marries Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra, while in real life, he married a sister of Aethelstan. The show also features real historical figures like Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb and invented the phonograph.
The first loyal companion of Uhtred, Brida, is a fictional character from Paulo Coelho’s novel, Brida. She embarks on a quest for knowledge and spirituality, learning from people of great wisdom. The series is set in Ireland and follows Brida as she embarks on a quest to find her true purpose and ultimate goal.
The Invasion of Jorvik did not happen until 927, when Æthelstan attacked the city, bringing York back into English hands. In the show, Brida is a fictitious character who swore revenge against Uhtred.
While the character of Uhtred is fictional, there is no indication that any such person existed. The show’s cast includes Emily Cox as Brida and Eva Birthistle as Hild. Fans of the show will likely miss the cast as Uhtreds, but the story remains a fascinating exploration of the interplay between Saxon, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking cultures.
📹 Was Brida a real person in history?
Ewan Mitchell House Of The Dragon 00:00 – Was Brida a real person in history? 00:27 – Was Sigtryggr a real Viking? 00:53 – Did …
Was Bloodhair a real Viking?
Bernard Cornwell based Harald Bloodhair on a real historical figure. He was a Danish leader who attacked Wessex during the same time as Haesten. Cornwell used the name Bloodhair to refer to Harald Fairhair, a ninth- and 10th-century Norwegian king. Fans of the TV series might be surprised to learn that Uhtred and Aethelflaed, Alfred’s daughter, were lovers in the books. Most of Wessex and Mercia knew about the romance, even though it wasn’t spoken of. In the TV series, Aethelflaed and Uhtred’s romance ends after one kiss. Uhtred refuses to become her lover because he fears she’ll be affected by Skade’s curse. Another difference? In the books, the Lady of Mercia takes care of Uhtred’s children after he is banished, not Hild. In the TV series, Skade is a seer who curses Uhtred and tries to become his lover to manipulate him. Viewers cringed when Uhtred and Skade almost kissed in the river.
Did Uhtred of Bebbanburg exist?
Is Uhtred of Bebbanburg real? There is no Uhtred, son of Uhtred, in the early Middle Ages. There were, however, several Uhtreds associated with Bamburgh who were important enough to be remembered in historical records. Everything you need to know about Seven Kings Must Die. Learn about the real history that inspired the fictional adventures of Uhtred, son of Uhtred. Also, find out who the seven kings are. Learn what happens next in the Seven Kings Must Die ending. Uhtred’s adventures in The Last Kingdom are set against the great events of the Viking Age. He saw the Great Heathen Army, Alfred the Great defending Wessex, and the political upheaval in England after Alfred’s death. We’ve seen Edward the Elder become king of Wessex, Æthelflæd become queen of Mercia, Alfred’s nephew, Æthelwold, rebel, and now, in Seven Kings Must Die, Æthelstan become king of England.
Was Uhtred Ragnarson a real person?
The Uhtred of Bebbanburg from The Last Kingdom is not real. He is one of the few fictional characters in the show. He was created by Bernard Cornwell. Uhtred of Bebbanburg is based on Uhtred the Bold, an ealdorman of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. Cornwell wrote the novels after discovering he was a descendant of Uhtred the Bold. However, the Uhtred in The Last Kingdom and Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories lived in different centuries. The Last Kingdom: Uhtred lived in the 9th century. The real Uhtred lived in the 10th century.
Did Ragnar Ragnarson exist?
Ragnar Ragnarsson is the son of Earl Ragnar the Fearless, but he is not based on a real person. Ragnar Lothbrok is a character in the History Channel series Vikings. He is inspired by the real Ragnar Lodbrok, who is mentioned in Old Norse poetry and Icelandic sagas.
Is there any historical truth to The Last Kingdom?
The Last Kingdom is based on a book series by Bernard Cornwell. It follows Uhtred’s journey from a Saxon to a Viking. The show features real historical figures like Alfred the Great, Aelhswith, Guthrum, and Odda the Elder. Bebbanburg is a real place in Northumberland, England. Netflix’s The Last Kingdom ended in 2022, but Uhtred’s story ended in April with a two-hour film, Seven Kings Must Die. The Last Kingdom is based on the Saxon Stories book series by Bernard Cornwell. It tells the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. The Netflix series was split into five seasons. Uhtred, a Saxon by birth, became Uhtred of Northumbria. He was captured by the Danes and adopted by Ragnar, a Viking. Uhtred Ragnarsson was born. When another tribe of Danes kills Ragnar and kidnaps Uhtred’s sister Thyra, forcing her into slavery, Uhtred vows revenge. His uncle, Aelfric, has taken Bebbanburg and wants to kill Uhtred. Uhtred vows to avenge Ragnar and claim his birthright as ruler of Bebbanburg. The show and book series are based on historical events. They focus on Uhtred’s duality as a Dane and a Saxon.
Was Brida a real Viking warrior?
Brida was born in East Anglia to an Anglo-Saxon family. She was taken captive during the Great Heathen Army invasion of England in 866. She was brought into the service of Ravnin Leeds, where she grew up with Earl Ragnar and Thyra. She was also a servant to Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Uhtred and Brida fell in love when they were young. In 871, they and a captive Thyra were the only survivors of Kjartan’s attack on Leeds. Brida went with Uhtred on his quest for revenge. She told him to go to Ireland or give up trying to get back to Bebbanburg. She still went with him when they ran away. They took Storri hostage to talk to Ubbe and prove they didn’t kill Ragnar. When this didn’t work, they fled to Wessex. Brida was a proud Dane who hated Christianity and the Anglo-Saxons, especially after Uhtred became a servant of King Alfred the Great. Brida and Uhtred had a complicated relationship. Brida miscarried Uhtred’s child while Uhtred was training West Saxon troops in the woods of Wilton. Brida agreed to sail with Ragnar, but Uhtred had to leave Brida because he had promised to serve Alfred for a year. Ragnar encouraged him to keep his promise. Brida found a new lover in Ragnar during the five years she was apart from Uhtred. In 876, she was reunited with her former lover at the Siege of Wareham. Uhtred was sent as an Anglo-Saxon hostage to Ragnar and Guthrum’s Danes at the Danish-held town of Wareham. Brida and Ragnar were upset that Uhtred had chosen to be a Saxon, but they helped him escape. Two years later, she met Uhtred again during the Viking attack on Winchester. She let him and his friends through, but didn’t like him. After the Battle of Edington in 878, Ragnar and Brida were given to the Anglo-Saxons as hostages. Ragnar and Uhtred met in prison and clasped hands, but Brida turned away from Uhtred. King Alfred let Ragnar and Brida go to help Uhtred kill Earl Kjartan. This let them avenge Ragnar the Fearless. She and Ragnar freed Uhtred from Sverri in 880. With the help of King Guthred, they stormed Dunholm, where Ragnar killed Kjartan. Brida and Ragnar made Dunholm their home. Brida was Ragnar’s lover. However, she couldn’t have children, so Ragnar had children with other women.
Who was Uhtred Ragnarson based on?
Bernard Cornwell wrote his series The Saxon Stories after learning he was a descendant of Uhtred the Bold, the inspiration for Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Uhtred of Bamburgh (Uhtred the Bold) was the ruler of Bamburgh and the ealdorman of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. He was the son of Waltheof I, ruler of Bamburgh (Bebbanburg). The Eadwulfings had ruled the surrounding region for over a century. Uhtred was killed in an assassination. This started a feud. Not to be confused with Uhtred the son of Eadwulf I of Bamburgh, who was called Uhtred the Bold.
Accomplishments In 995, Symeon of Durham said that Uhtred went to Durham with his monks to clear the site of the new cathedral when St. Cuthbert’s remains were transferred from Chester-le-Street. Bishop Aldhun founded the new cathedral, and Uhtred married Aldhun’s daughter, Ecgfrida. He got several church estates from his marriage. In 1006, King Malcolm II of Scotland invaded Northumbria and besieged Durham. The Danes were raiding southern England, and King Ethelred couldn’t help the Northumbrians. Ealdorman Waltheof was too old to fight and stayed in his castle at Bamburgh. Ealdorman Ælfhelm of York did nothing. Uhtred led an army from Bernicia and Yorkshire against the Scots and won. Local women washed the heads of the Scots and received a cow for each. The heads were fixed on stakes around Durham.
Is Father Beocca based on a real person?
This fictional story is interesting, but it’s not as interesting as the real people in this story. There’s Father Beocca in “The Last Kingdom.” He may be fictional, but there was a real Father Beocca who was Alfred the Great’s spiritual mentor and died a martyr. He was made a saint of the Church. I always set my clicker to “stun” when I watch religious people in popular entertainment. Especially if they’re priests. I brace myself for priests who are evil, buffoons, or rebels who deny Church teachings. The Last Kingdom makes me think of Father Beocca. He’s not innocent. He isn’t corrupt. He must help Alfred become the king God wants, not just the man he is at the start of the series. Alfred is also shown in different ways. He tries to be good but often does bad things. Father Beocca helps him build up again.
How much of The Last Kingdom is historically accurate?
The Last Kingdom is a historical fiction series about England during the time of King Alfred the Great. The series is not completely accurate.
Were Siegfried and Erik real?
On the show, Mercian Aethelred is shown to be a bad husband. He takes Aethelflaed to war against Danish brothers Siegfried and Erik and their ally Haesten. She is captured and held for ransom. This sets up the climactic battle at Benfleet in 893 and Odda the Elder’s suicide.
Recap of The Last Kingdom season 3 and real history. In season three, two new enemies are introduced: Bloodhair, a warrior, and Skade, a seer. Skade sees Bloodhair killing Alfred in battle. Alfred is dying of illness. Edward is young and not ready to rule. Aetholwold wants to become king. Uhtred accidentally kills a priest after Aethelwold’s meddling. Alfred tries to make Uhtred swear to serve Edward. Uhtred refuses to swear an oath to Edward and takes Alfred hostage to escape.
📹 Who was Uhtred of Bebbanburg? The Real Story
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Another interesting fact: by the time Svein Forkbeard (Svend Tveskæg) was king, the Danes had already converted to Christianity. Svein’s father Harold Bluetooth (being the origin of the name of that sharing function on your various devices) famously had the conversion of the Danes inscribed on the Jelling Stones, and those rune stones are colloquially called the baptismal certificate of Denmark.
Thank you for the great visuals in this article. I was just introduced to Uhtred in a article about Bamburg Castle. It looks like you used lots of illustrations from the great age of storybooks in the late 19th/early 20th century. I’m thinking Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, and the Brandywine School. I’m wondering why that king was sitting on his throne in shallow water on the seashore, however.
So I guess the real version wasn’t exciting enough for the producers and writers of the show The Last Kingdom. Still, that is the best mini series I’ve seen in a a long time. Definitely the best out there now. It’s no coincidence that it’s not a product of Hollywood. Doesn’t have enough cheese for Hollywood.
We’ll have to work on some of the pronunciation (I’m just poking fun) but that was a great summary article! There’s some rich and deep history in the North East of England. I maintain that the Northumbrian coast is one of England’s best kept secrets in terms of its beauty and eligibility as a holiday destination.
In Gillingham of Dorset is an outskirt called Peacemarsh, where Cnut capitulated to Edmund Ironside after the battle of Penselwood. Ironside chased Cnut to London where Cnut regained his forces, turned round and destroyed Ironside and his army. A lot of history happened round here being close to Shaftesbury and Glastonbury and on the main trading routes between Winchester and the western lands, Gillingham is one of the oldest established towns of England, said that Joseph of Aramuthea once passed through what was a fortified trading town and kings up to Edward the Confessor had their summer hunting lodge underneath where my own flat was built. The town can also boast of Edward Rawson, the Englishman who first started the tradition of the thanksgiving speech over in the American colonies making a speech at the first formal thanksgiving dinner of the colony. Sadly his children all hated the place and one by one either died or came back to Dorset.
The word feud is directly a Saxon word in use today, as are many others. Ironically, the Danish Vikings came from Jutland, now Denmark and were the descendents of the Saxon Jutes 400 years earlier. There would have been a certain commonality of language, thus enabling communication between Saxons and Danes.
I’m not too clear on the battles what went on up country, but I’ve worked with the corridors of time, we filmed the battle of Hastings, and filmed 🎥 the battle at Norman’s Bay Hastings, we did a few in Sussex as well, and I loved every minute of it, I was always interested in history as a kid,so doing from 1066 to Tunbridge was the time of my life 😀 👍 💜💚🧡
Great article but I wish you would use historically accurate images. If you’re trying to convey fact but you constantly display inaccuracies, it’s going to muddy the water. I know it must be hard to find completely accurate depictions of history, so I don’t know how easy this would be but please try! Thanks for the article again Edit: and maybe ask Cefin for pronunciation advice!
Thats crazy the new netflix show Vikings: Valhalla (which is the sequel to the original Vikings show) takes place with the fictional events of Syven forkbeard and King Aethelred, which you mentioned takes place right after the events of the real life Uthred, who is based off of for The Last Kingdom. Which is my other show I love to to watch on there. Crazy how it comes full circle.
My 20th great grandfather Ivone de Kirkpatrick married Euphemia Bruce, one of Uhtred’s 6th great grand daughters. The family tree is in the possession of the Earl of Elgin. My dads mom Shirley Kirkpatrick was of the Closeburn Kirkpatricks and a direct descendant of Ivone. Since Euphemia is the sister of King Robert the Bruce’s grandpa, her lineage is well documented. Needless to say…OMFG I LOVE TLK !!!😁
Do a Story about William and Jaime Douglass in the 1200hundreds. They fought alongside Robert The Bruce. King of Scotland. While on a homeage to Rome they fought the Islamic??? Army in Spain. Robert the Bruce was killed and Jaime Douglass at Roberts request cut his heart out and took it back to Scotland.
Thanks…. All I know is my son was angry I didn’t ask him for help to get internet and these over priced streaming device. But some how the first attempt to watch this series – with the rewind pause and close caption buttons- TLK was my first choice. I thought it was some fictional story .. with an extremely handsome guy.. Humm? Now I know – ☮️💟✝️. Thanks like and subscribe 😁
It irks me that Utred is so dumb. He succumbs to everyone asking him to fight. He had Mercia and gave it away so easily which will bite him later on. He could have made Athelflead an advisor or something! Not given her all of Mercia. Now he’s back where he started in season 1. Fighting for and gaining nothing real from it
He helped monks build a cathedral and he married the daughter of a Christian Bishop. Was he actually pagan? Or is that propaganda and lies from The Last Kingdom on Netflix? I also didnt know he bent the knee to Cnut after Aethelred was killed. From one perspective, it could seems dishonorable, but then again this was a time of turbulent alliances. If one english king dies, I supposed you can bow the knee to a strong man.
It’s kinda disheartening to realize the show just makes up the ENTIRE plot. Like, I get it, it’s a tv show, dramatize it all you want; magic/fate/destiny/gods go for it. But the fact that Uhtred was never with the Danes undercuts the ENTIRE show lol. Why not just make up a character instead of making an entire fake history for Uhtred?
When I hear the name Uthred of Bebbanburg I think of the handsome face and non-existent acting skills of Alexander Dreymon. He is the single worst casting choice since Christian Hadenson in the Star Wars prequels and I do wonder what The Last Kingdom could have been if they had hired an actor with real classical acting chops and gravitas.