Last Kingdom Characters – Real or Fictional?

Last Kingdom is a five season series that covers English history from the reign of King Alfred the Great to King Aethelstan –  870 – 940.

The series is based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell.

But, did the Last Kingdom characters really exist?

 

After the main character, Uhtred, Last Kingdom characters are listed in alphabetical order.

We have tried to keep this page spoiler free, but some details have been included in order to explain the character.

 

Uhtred of Bebbanburg (seasons 1 – 5)

FICTIONAL

The main character Uhtred of Bebbanburg is fictional. He is loosely based on Uhtred the Bold of Bamburgh born around 970 and executed by King Canute in 1016.

–ooOoo–

Aelflaed (seasons 3 – 5)

REAL

Aelfflaed was the daughter of Aethelhelm of Wiltshire and the second wife of King Edward the Elder. They had eight children including Aelfweard.

Timeline for Aelfflaed of Wessex

–ooOoo–

Aelfric of Bebbanburg (seasons 1, 2 + 4)

FICTIONAL

Aelfric is Uhtred’s uncle who takes Bebbanburg for himself.

–ooOoo–

Aelfwynn (seasons 5)

REAL

Aelfwynn was the only child of Aethelflaed and Aethelred of Mercia.

–ooOoo–

Aelswith (seasons 1 – 5)

REAL

Ealhswith was the wife of King Alfred the Great. She was the daughter of Aethelred Mucel of Mercia. She was known for her deep religious belief.

Timeline of Ealhswith

–ooOoo–

Aethelflaed (seasons 2 – 5)

REAL

Aethelflaed was the eldest daughter of King Alfred the Great. She married Aethelred of Mercia and after his death ruled as the Lady of Mercia.

Timeline of Aethelflaed

–ooOoo–

Aethelhelm (seasons 3 – 5)

REAL

Aethelhelm of Wiltshire was the father of Edward the Elder’s second wife, Aelfflaed.

Aethelred of Mercia (seasons 2 – 4)

REAL

Aethelred was the Earl of Mercia. He married Aethelflaed, the daughter of King Alfred the Great, strengthening ties between Mercia and Wessex.

Timeline of Aethelred

–ooOoo–

Aethelstan (seasons 3 – 5)

REAL

Aethelstan was the son of Edward the Elder by his first wife Ecgwynn. He became King in 924 and realised Alfred’s dream of uniting the kingdoms of England.

Timeline for King Aethelstan

–ooOoo–

Aethelwold (seasons 1 – 3)

REAL

Aethelwold was the son of King Alfred the Great’s brother Aethelred. He was passed over when his father died because he was too young to rule.

Timeline of Aethelwold

–ooOoo–

Aldhelm (seasons 2 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Lord Aldhelm is chief advisor to Aethelred of Mercia and later to Aethelflaed.

–ooOoo–

King Alfred (seasons 1 – 3)

REAL

King Alfred the Great ruled Wessex from 871 to his death in 899. He successfully defeated the Danes and started the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Timeline of King Alfred the Great

–ooOoo–

Father Benedict (season 5)

FICTIONAL

Father Benedict is a priest who is in debt due to gambling. He is based on Saint Adrian, a Canterbury priest who was born in North Africa and died around 709.

–ooOoo–

Beocca (seasons 1 – 4)

FICTIONAL

Father Beocca is a priest who initially serves Uhtred’s father before serving King Alfred. He and Uhtred have a close bond.

–ooOoo–

Brida (seasons 1 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Brida is a Saxon girl who is captured by the Viking along with Uhtred. The children grow up together but part after Uhtred decides to serve Alfred.

–ooOoo–

Burgred (season 4)

FICTIONAL

Burgred is an Ealdorman of Mercia.
He is not to be confused with Burgred King of Mercia who ruled Mercia from 852 – 874.

–ooOoo–

Clapa (season 2)

FICTIONAL
Clapa is a Viking who serves Uhtred.

–ooOoo–

Cnut (seasons 3 – 4)

FICTIONAL
Cnut is a Viking. He is the father of Brida’s child.

–ooOoo–

Dagfinn (seasons 3 – 4)

FICTIONAL
Dagfinn is a Viking who served under Erik and Sigefrid and later under Haesten.

–ooOoo–

Eadith (seasons 4 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Eadith is the sister of  Eardwulf and mistress of King Aethelred of Mercia.

–ooOoo–

Eadwulf (season 4)

FICTIONAL

Eardwulf is the commander of King Aethelred of Mercia’s guard.

–ooOoo–

Abbot Eadred (season 2)

REAL

Eadric Lulisc was an abbot who helped Guthred be elected King of Northumbria by the Vikings.

–ooOoo–

King Edward (seasons 3 – 5)

REAL

King Edward the Elder was the son of King Alfred and Ealhswith and the father of Aethelstan. He succeeded his father to the throne.

Timeline of King Edward the Elder

–ooOoo–

Erik (season 2)

FICTIONAL

Erik is a Viking who is brother to Sigefred.

–ooOoo–

Bishop Erkenwald (season 3)

FICTIONAL

Bishop Erkenwald is a bishop in the service of King Alfred.

–ooOoo–

Finan (seasons 2 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Finan is an Irishman who becomes one of Uhtred’s loyal men.

–ooOoo–

Gisela (seasons 2 – 3)

FICTIONAL

Gisela is the sister of King Guthred. She and Uhtred marry and have children.

–ooOoo–

Guthred (season 2)

REAL

Guthred was a pagan who accepted baptism to gain the support of the church in his claim to become King of Northumbria.

–ooOoo–

Guthrum (season 1)

REAL

Guthrum was a Viking leader who invaded England as part of the Great Heathen Army in 866.

Timeline of Guthrum

–ooOoo–

Haesten (seasons 2 – 5)

REAL

Haesten was a Viking leader who invaded Kent in 892

Timeline of Haesten

–ooOoo–

Halig (seasons 1 – 2)

FICTIONAL

Halig is one of Uhtred’s trusted men.

–ooOoo–

Hild (seasons 1 – 5)

FICTIONAL
Hild is a nun who joins Uhtred after surviving an attack. She later becomes an abbess in Winchester.

–ooOoo–

King Hywel Dda (seasons 4 – 5)

REAL

Hywel Dda, also known as Hywel ap Cadell became ruler of most of Wales.

–ooOoo–

Queen Iseult (season 1)

FICTIONAL
Iseult is one of the Queens of the Cornish King. Uhtred is besotted by her.

–ooOoo–

Kjartan (seasons 1 – 2)

FICTIONAL

Kjartan is a Dane who rules Durham. He and his son, Sven, come into conflict with Uhtred.

–ooOoo–

Leofric (seasons 1 + 3)

FICTIONAL

Leofric served as a soldier/mentor to Prince Alfred and remained with him when he became King. He and Uhtred become good friends.

–ooOoo–

Ludeca (seasons 4 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Ludeca is an Ealdorman of Mercia.

–ooOoo–

Lord Uhtred (season 1)

FICTIONAL

Lord Uhtred is Uhtred’s father and Lord of Bebbanburg until his death.

–ooOoo–

Mildrith (season 1)

FICTIONAL

Uhtred is tricked into marrying Mildrith by King Alfred.

–ooOoo–

Odda the Elder (seasons 1 – 2)

REAL

Odda was Ealdorman of Devon during the reign of King Alfred. He fought many battles against the Vikings.

–ooOoo–

Odda the Younger (season 1)

FICTIONAL

Odda the Younger is the son of Odda the Elder.

–ooOoo–

Osferth (seasons 2 – 5)

REAL
Osferth was listed in Alfred’s will as a kinsman. Some historians believe he was Alfred’s illegitimate son.

–ooOoo–

Pyrlig (seasons 2 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Father Pyrlig is a former soldier turned priest.

–ooOoo–

Earl Ragnar (season 1)

FICTIONAL

Not to be confused with the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, Earl Ragnar is a fictitious character.

–ooOoo–

Ragnar the Younger (seasons 1 – 3)

FICTIONAL

Ragnar the Younger is the son of the Viking Ragnar who raised Uhtred.

–ooOoo–

Rhodri (season 4)

FICTIONAL

Rhodri is the brother of Hywel Dda of Wales. Hywel was a real King of Wales but he did not have a brother. His son and grandfather were both named Rhodri.

–ooOoo–

Rognvaldr (season 5)

REAL

Rognvaldr is the name used by Ragnall Ivarson. He was the brother (or possibly cousin) of Sigtryggr and became ruler of Northumbria.

–ooOoo–

Sigefrid (season 2)

FICTIONAL

Sigefrid is the brother of the Viking Erik.

–ooOoo–

Sigtryggr (seasons 4 – 5)

REAL

Sigtryggr was the grandson of Ivar the Boneless and was born in Ireland. He and his brother (or cousin) Ragnall, travelled to England and settled in Northumbria. He became ruler after the death of Ragnall. In the series he marries Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra. In real life he married a sister of Aethelstan.

Timeline of Sigtryggr

–ooOoo–

Sigurd Bloodhair (season 2)

REAL

Harald Bloodhair (called Sigurd in the series) was a Viking who invaded England in 892.

–ooOoo–

Sihtric (season 2 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Sihtric is the illegitimate son of Kjartan. He swears to serve Uhtred if his life is spared. He becomes one of Uhtred’s most faithful men.

–ooOoo–

Skade (season 3)

FICTIONAL

Skade is a seer in the service of Eric Bloodhair.

–ooOoo–

Steapa (seasons 2 – 4)

FICTIONAL

Steapa is a warrior in the service of King Alfred.

–ooOoo–

Stiorra (seasons 4 – 5)

FICTIONAL

Stiorra is the daughter of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. She marries the Viking Sigtryggr.

–ooOoo–

Sven (seasons 1 – 2)

FICTIONAL

Sven is the son of Kjartan. He is blinded in one eye after ripping open Thyra’s shirt.

–ooOoo–

Thyra (seasons 1 – 3)

FICTIONAL

Thyra is the sister of Ragnar the Younger.

–ooOoo–

Ubba (season 1)

REAL

Ubba, son of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, was a Viking leader who invaded England in 865 as part of the Great Heathen army.

 

Published Mar 10, 2022 @ 12:32 pm – Updated – [last-modified]