Read more | Vikings: Valhalla - the real history behind Netflix's successor to Vikings In Vinland, the Norse explorers soon encounter the land's . He was believed to be a Christian but the character Cnut in The Last Kingdom did not, so may not have been based on the real king. He is not to be confused with Burgred King of Mercia who ruled Mercia from 852 - 874. He was a Danish prince who won the throne of England in 1016 following Viking invasions in Europe. Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels. In Vikings, Ragnar Lothbrok is the Viking King of Kattegat and he is played by Travis Fimmel, whereas in The Last Kingdom, the surname of Ragnar's character is Ragnarsson. Even after Aethelwolds treacherous machinations and Aelswiths stubborn arrogance, Aethelred of Mercia still takes the cake. Speaking of raids, Athelstan is a fictional character as theres no record of a Christian monk kidnapped by the Vikings (let alone one that became Ragnar Lothbroks best friend). These are ten interesting facts about Brida: Brida is a fiercely independent woman. When Aethelred died in 911, she assumed responsibility for Mercia until she passed away a few years later. Some historians believe he was Alfreds illegitimate son. Aethelred is the worst. Finan is an Irishman who becomes one of Uhtreds loyal men. Aelfric is Uhtreds uncle who takes Bebbanburg for himself. She is captured at York (at the time called Eoferwic) after the massacre by the Great Viking Army. Although itis not a documentary or educational series, its inevitable for viewers to ask how much ofVikings is historically accurate and how much was made up just for the series. A great detail in the book involves someone beating her dog and Uhtred coming to the defense, not that Brida needs his help. [INSIGHT]. When Uhtred sneaks into Ubbas enemy camp to fire some of his ships, the Danes surround him. READ MORE:Last Kingdom: Is Young Ragnar based on a real person? He had two wives - Aelfgifu of Northampton and Emma of Normandy - but it's this fact which also suggests Cnut in The Last Kingdom was not based on real life. In a surprise night time offense on January 6th, 878, (which happened to be Epiphany) he attacked Alfreds forces at a fortress at Chippenham. Like in the books, Uhtred is advised never to fight him, and his superstition is matched only by his rage and thirst for killing. As the Saxons push the Danes back, Father Beocca expertly throws a spear and Uhtred catches it, then hurls it into Skorpas chest. While he isn't the reincarnation of a real Saxon-Dane hybrid from history, he is indirectly based on someone who lived. It does not matter to her that she was born to the English, as she considers herself a Dane through and through. Uhtred "the Godless" of Bebbanburg (born 856), born Osbert, was an Anglo-Saxon nobleman of Northumbrian origin who served as Lord of Coccham from 880. He is not to be confused with Burgred King of Mercia who ruled Mercia from 852 874. He excels as a warrior, which is his calling, but just because he can spill an enemy's brains does not mean he knows how to make much use of his own. Last Kingdom Characters Real or Fictional? Aethelwold was the son of King Alfred the Greats brother Aethelred. A marriage to Alfreds daughter Aethelflaed cemented their alliance. Many of Ragnars relationships, travels, and actions were taken from other figures, such as his fake death in season 3, which was an often used move by Viking chief Hastein. During the campaign in East Anglia, she was actually taken in by Ragnar after a nun tried to give over the young Brida to the Vikings as a piece of propertyand she responded by viciously beating the nun with a stick. Two years later he took the Danish throne and joined the two kingdoms together under one crown, where he reigned until his death in 1035. Last Kingdom: How old will Uhtred be in season 5? Last Kingdom: Who was Aelflaed? Their daughter Aelfwynn succeeded her, but Edward deposed her within months. They saw that the English had retreated into a fort for safety and attempted to starve them out. And he should take that advice. Scary, but also strangely content, says Cox. However, Cnut's lieutenant Bjorgulf arrived and informed Cnut that Uhtred had executed his eldest son Cnut and taken his younger son Esgar hostage, so a frenzied Cnut killed Bjorgulf and ordered his army to prepare for war, ignoring Brida's advice against changing his plan. Sigtryggr is thought to have been 32 when he died, and he had spent his life trying to discover where he belonged after two Irish chieftains kicked him out of Dublin. After their adopted Viking father was slaughtered, the young couple set out on different journeys. He fought many battles against the Vikings. Ubba is terrifying, with black hair, a chest like a barrel, and a penetrating gaze that shows pure hatred. It was hugely successful, with the Saxons taking out nearly 1,000 Vikings and Ubba himself. In her world, the only way the world can be safe is if everywhere is Daneland. Aethelhelm of Wiltshire was the father of Edward the Elders second wife, Aelfflaed. The books throw a little extra family drama in when it comes to Aethelred hes Uhtreds cousin. Potentially, Alfred was doing the same as the Vikings did with puppet kings elsewhere and bringing in Aethelred. Instead, it is engaging fiction: a dramatisation of legends in which the 9th-century Viking world is simplified and sketched, with events and processes, from the earliest raids to the invasion of the Great Heathen Army, conflated and sometimes confused. For example, many wore belts equipped with handy tools for either expeditions or a normal day on the farm. Hes not convinced, however, until Alfreds army defeats them. In The Last Kingdom . We can only imagine what life was life in the era The Last Kingdom takes place. It was great. Like Uhtred, she is Saxon in origin, and is adopted by the Danes after they see the ruins of her village, wiped out by a raiding party from a rival band of Vikings and experience Brida's feisty nature. Lavelle says this was based in reality: Theres enough evidence to be able to say that Alfred was affected by bouts of chronic ill health, he said. While he isnt the reincarnation of a real Saxon-Dane hybrid from history, he is indirectly based on someone who lived. Against all the wisdom of the day, he does indeed fight Ubba. RELATED: The Last Kingdom: 10 Things We Want To See In Season 4. They put up a united front, and Aethelred thankfully never dragged his wife to a battleground, ensuring she would get kidnapped by Danes. Although they were a non-literate culture, they had the runor alphabet and described their world (and themselves) on runestones, women were more free than in other cultures, and their engineering skills were outstanding. Leofric served as a soldier/mentor to Prince Alfred and remained with him when he became King. Brida is basically the polar opposite of Eahlswith. In fact, adding members to the family was so well documented that the ritual for making someone a blood brother has been preserved to this day. Imar is believed to have been compared to Ivar the Boneless, who went to Ireland and later disappeared from historical records. However, Uhtred is a lord and he can only re-inherit his lands if he sides with the English Saxons. VIKINGS IN REAL LIFE - Experience Living Like a Viking - Norway Exploring With Cody 427K subscribers 104K views 4 years ago Exploring around Lofoten, Norway we see what it's like to experience. Guthrum is creepily devoted to his dead mom, lamenting that nobody ever wrote songs and poems about her. Everyone has died! says Emily Cox, in some shock. The Uhtred we get in the show has a lot more depth than what the books convey. The records we have of the time are scant and at times indecipherable, but historians have done their best to put the pieces together. Uhtred swore vengeance for her massacre of the Saxons, and he routed the Norse army in a surprise attack. His liege, Alfred, constantly fielded attacks from Vikings and went into hiding after his defeat at Chippenham. The lord of this picture-perfect locale is the ealdorman Odda. She pulled the dead from their graves, tore down the Christian banners, and used York Cathedral as a stable, and she also boiled Archbishop Aethelbald to death. He took the name Aethelstan and Alfred stood as his godfather. Stiorra then took Sihtric's sword and hacked Brida to death, avenging her ill intentions for her daughter; however, she let Brida hold a sword as she died, allowing her into Valhalla. Our fictional heros remarkable upbringing and adventures are just that fiction. The series initially followed the adventures and raids of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his Viking brothers, from the start of the Viking Age (marked by the Lindisfarne raid, as seen in season 1) onwards. During negotiations, he demands Alfred give him Uhtreds head and promises peace in return. They take away the silver cross they had given her and replace it with a cheap one made of wood. The wedding day has to be on a Friday (Frigga's Day) Viking weddings always took place on a Friday also known as Frigga's day, a day sacred to Frigg, the goddess of marriage, love, and fertility. Uhtred reluctantly agreed, but he could see how Sigtryggr had an affectionate side, and he knew his daughter would be in safe hands. Aethelred was basically Alfred's man in Mercia." Image: The Last Kingdom/Netflix She changed so much, says Cox. He did not get on well with king Edward the Elder, and started taking land owned by Edward. The children grow up together but part after Uhtred decides to serve Alfred. There are indicators that other leaders recognized her as the de facto ruler of Mercia. She married Aethelred of Mercia and after his death ruled as the Lady of Mercia. She also is very aware of how power works and how to wield it, no small feat considering she was orphaned at a young age in the patriarchal world of Anglo-Saxon England. Historical shows and movies frequently come under heavy criticism for their historical accuracy, with the likes of Vikingsin particular getting dinged often. Sihtric is the illegitimate son of Kjartan. Shes just very, very, very hurt and very, very, very sad and thats why she does what she does., Theres such a deep understanding between the two of them, Cox continues. In a way, Brida finds peace, and Im very happy about that. Last Kingdom: What really happened to Aethelwold? The series was also inspired by The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, and one of the main characters was Cnut (played by Magnus Bruun). @Louisa_Mellor, Louisa Mellor is the Den of Geek UK TV Editor. In real life, the King - also known as Canute - was one of the most popular rulers of the Anglo-Saxon era and he was remembered for conquering many kingdoms across Europe. Ragnar based on someone who lived old will Uhtred be in season 5 it does not matter to that. 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