History Characters / VikingsSaxons

* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: Heahmund's decision to side with certain people sometimes seems at odds with his actions or words. First, he's with the English, then [[spoiler: Ivar, and then Lagertha, and then seems to switch right back to the English after he takes Lagertha's forces to England.]] One theory is that he's a consummate liar, telling whoever he's siding with what they want to hear in order to survive longer, not unlikely considering how often he's surrounded by pagans or people who really don't seem to like him.

* ObfuscatingInsanity: He portrays himself as an absolute zealot with no middle ground. The insanity facade cracks a little when he devises a plant to starve the Vikings out of a stronghold. He hand waves it as a devine vision, but he’s really just a very good tactician. In fact, he gets away with a lot, including what amounts to treason, by describing it as “God’s will.”

* CallingTheOldManOut: In "Revenge", he directly states that the Great Heathen Army that has come for them is here because of Ecbert's actions. He also finally calls his father on his treatment of him, pointing out that Ecbert has manipualted and humiliated him all his life, [[spoiler:forced him to adopt the son his wife by cheating on him]], and outright asks if he even loves him.

* [[spoiler: DroppedABridgeOnHim]]: [[spoiler: Prince Aethelwulf, a fierce warrior-king and survivor of numerous battles against the Northmen, gets done in by an allergic reaction to a bee sting]].

* EvenEvilHasStandards: He looks positively disgusted when [[spoiler: Princess Kwenthrith poisons her own brother right in the middle of a feast, in front of everybody]].

* [[spoiler: AbdicateTheThrone]]: [[spoiler: Gives up the crown in favour of Alfred on his mother's coercion]]. Yes, it does fall under ArtisticLicenceHistory but there is a heavy implication that Aethelred has an ulterior motive for this.

* [[spoiler: DiesDifferentlyInAdaptation]]: [[spoiler: Historically died of wounds received in battle, poisoned by his mother in the show]].

* HufflepuffHouse: The four kingdoms that don't figure in the show as of the fourth season: East Anglia, Essex, Kent, and Sussex.

[[folder: Alfred of Wessex]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/alfredseason6.png]]
-> '''Played By:''' Conor O'Hanlon (child), Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (adult)

The son of Athelstan and Princess Judith, he is destined to become the legendary UsefulNotes/AlfredTheGreat.

[[folder: Prince Aethelred]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aethelred_5x15.jpg]]
->'''Played by:''' Darren Cahill
The son of prince Aethelwulf and Princess Judith.

* [[spoiler: AbdicateTheThrone]]: [[spoiler: Gives up the crown in favour of Alfred on his mother's coercion]]. Yes, it does fall under ArtisticLicenceHistory but there is a heavy implication that Aethelred has an ulterior motive for this.
* BashBrothers: With Alfred.
* BloodSplatteredWarrior: Look at the image.
* CallingTheOldWomanOut: Towards Judith. He accuses her, not without merit, that she's always wanted Alfred to be on the throne, even though he's first in line for it.
** [[spoiler: His last words end up being this too.]]
* [[spoiler: DiesDifferentlyInAdaptation]]: [[spoiler: Historically died of wounds received in battle, poisoned by his mother in the show]].
* EtTuBrute: [[spoiler:As he's dying from poison, he looks at Judith and asks her, "What kind of mother are you?"]]
* InTheBlood: Acts very much like his father Aethelwulf, especially in their hatred and desire to drive all Vikings from their lands.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: He's the leader of the army after [[spoiler: Alfred takes the throne.]]
* TamperingWithFoodAndDrink: [[spoiler:He dies from being poisoned.]]
* TheUnfavorite: Judith clearly prefers her love-child Alfred over Aethelred.

[[folder: Bishop Edmund]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/edmund_s2.png]]
->'''Played By:''' Philip O'Sullivan

The bishop of Wessex, completely subservient to king Ecbert.

* TheAlcoholic: He is quite fond of the sacramental wine.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: Embraces the Vikings with his arms wide open and forgives them before they stab him. It's enough to bother Floki who is unused to Christians dying with honor.
* GodBeforeDogma: Invokes this when questioned about if it really is fitting for a woman to color bibles. He proceeds to give a rather convincing thesis why this should not be an issue, basing it on the life of Jesus. Not that this was necessarily what he actually thinks, Ecbert was giving him [[ClintSquint the look]].
* GoodShepherd: from what little is seen of him, he seems like a decent and devout man. He certainly does a fair job of reining Ecbert and Aethelwulf in when the latter two start getting bloodthirsty.
* UndyingLoyalty: Towards Ecbert. [[spoiler: He chooses to stay by his side when the Great Heathen Army is approaching which means certain death.]] This is quite heartwarming for a rather spineless character. It becomes even more heartwarming when [[spoiler: Ecbert, upon committing suicide remembers the voices of all of those dear to him.]] Edmund is one of them. Aww.
* TheVicar: An older, fat man who mostly plays a comical role.
[[/folder]]

!!Kingdom of Mercia

[[folder: Princess Kwenthrith of Mercia]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kwenrith_s4.jpg]]
->'''Played By:''' Amy Bailey

The daughter of the late King Offa of Mercia, she murdered his heir, her brother, and is embroiled in a civil war for control of the Kingdom of Mercia.
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