Characters / The Last Kingdom Saxons

The Saxons

Bebbanburg

Lord Uhtred

Lord Uhtred

Portrayed By: Matthew Macfadyen

"Why do I leave the villages unprotected and bring the men inside? Is that your question? A village can be rebuilt. A warrior can die only once."

Uhtred's father, Lord Uhtred, is a formidable fighter and leader of men, and ruler of the kingdom of Bebbanburg in Northumbria. He is a serious and rather distant man whose commitments to Bebbanburg leave little time for his two sons. Young Uhtred struggles to win his father's affection and approval.

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• Abusive Parents: He clearly thinks little of his youngest son, and is at times is even openly hostile to young Uhtred/Osbert.
• Action Dad: A father to two, and a competent warrior.
• Dead Star Walking: Matthew Macfadyen is probably the biggest name in the initial cast line-up, but Lord Uhtred doesn't last beyond the first episode.
• Jerkass: Lord Uhtred is a pretty basic prick; he's grumpy, quick-tempered and ruthlessly pragmatic.
• Un-person: Inflicts this on his oldest son, lashing out when Osbert wants to avenge him since now he is Uhtred.
• Worthy Opponent: Ragnar sizes him up as a serious-minded and intelligent warrior king; the Danes certainly consider him more of a threat than his the other two kings whom they correctly judge as pushovers.

Aelfric

Lord Aelfric

Portrayed By: Joseph Millson

Uhtred’s uncle, Aelfric, took control of the fortress of Bebbanburg usurping Uhtred. Aelfric is venal, scheming, and power hungry. He sees Uhtred as a threat to his claim on Bebbanburg and is committed to his demise.

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• Ambition Is Evil: It's unclear how long Aelfric has harboured ambitions to become Bebbanburg's ruler, but he thinks nothing of murdering a child so he can keep sitting the throne.
• Arch-Enemy: Aelfric is Uhtred's first great enemy; he's been trying to kill his nephew since he was only a child.
• Bad Boss: At the start of Season 4, after a battle against Scottish raiders turns against him, Aelfric calls a retreat. As soon as he's inside Bebbanburg, he orders the fortress gates closed, leaving a lot of his own men to be butchered by the attackers, and then has the gall to call his remaining soldiers cowards.
• Back for the Dead: After receiving only a cursory mention in Season 3, he returns in Season 4 only to be killed by his own son by the end of the second episode.
• Beard of Evil: He's bearded, and very evil indeed.
• Deadpan Snarker: He has a pretty sharp tongue, sneering that Gisela must be fond of him to hide away.
• Evil Is Petty: At first he's reluctant to marry Gisela, but the moment he learns that she and Uhtred were to marry, he decides he'll have her.
• Evil Uncle: To Uhtred, whom he's obsessed with killing out of fear that Uhtred will one day reclaim Bebbanburg.
• Eye Scream: His own son puts a crossbow bolt through his eye.
• Forever War: The opening of Season 4 implies Aelfric has been fighting to keep Scottish raiders out of his lands for a long time.
• General Failure: His reappearance in Season 4 starts with im leading his men into a Scottish ambush.
• It Is Dehumanising: Insists on calling Uhtred by his birth name, Osbert. Of course, it's also meant to be a rejection of his claim to Bebbanburgh since the rightful lord always takes up the name.
• Out of Focus: He makes only a single appearance in Season 2, and receives only a brief mention in Season 3.
• Properly Paranoid: He lives in fear that Uhtred will return and reclaim Bebbanburg from him, and he should be afraid since Uhtred has been gathering power for years and has not forgotten Aelfric.
• Rousing Speech: Attempts to make one in the wake of narrowly defeating a Scottish attack on Bebbanburg at the start of Season 4, though in places, it comes across more as a Villainous Demotivator and "The Reason You Suck" Speech to his men.
  Aelfric: The last men standing. My greatest fighters...or the most fearful, the ones who cowered and hid and ran? The Scots will return! They want to take our land and see us gone. So unless you want to end up rotting on a slave ship, I suggest you find the stomach to fight. To fight! Or leave! Go on, leave now! There is no place for doubt... or weakness. I will never surrender to invaders! My men can be destroyed! The villages starved! They can dig a trench a mile wide! But while I live, these walls will not be breached. This fortress will not fall! I will never yield my birthright, nor seek peace with those who attack us. We fight on, until they are all butchered! We fight on for Bebbanburg!
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: When he finds out Guthred had Uhtred sold into slavery instead of killing him (the condition Aelfric demanded as his price for an alliance), he angrily storms out of Eoferwic, refusing to help fight against Kjartan.
• We Have Reserves: Doesn't care how many men he must sacrifice to retain his hold on Bebbanburg.
• Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?: Is enraged at Guthred for following this trope, knowing Uhtred will break out of slavery.

Wihtgar

Lord Wihtgar

Portrayed By: Ossian Perret

The son of Aelfric and cousin of Uhtred, and therefore a rival to Uhtred as a claimant to Bebbanburg. He is initially believed lost while travelling overseas, but makes a surprise return accompanied by a number of hardened soldiers.

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• Adaptational Name Change: His name is Uhtred in the books, but since Season 4 alone already has two different characters named Uhtred, the name was presumably changed to avoid confusing people.
• Berserk Button: Any suggestion that Uhtred, not him, is the rightful lord of Bebbanburg.
  Wihtgar: Edward's man is here! Uhtred is inside these walls!
  Aethelhelm: Uhtred of Bebbanburg?!
  Wihtgar: Uhtred the imposter, yes!
• Clashing Cousins: To both Uhtred and young Uhtred. His father stole Bebbanburg from Uhtred, and he is his father's heir. The only way his claim on the fortress remains secure is if Uhtred and his heirs are dead, and he harshly rejects Beocca's attempts to forge a reconciliation after Aelfric's death.
• Combat Pragmatist: Prefers to fight with a ranged weapon where he can pick foes off from a distance, rarely fights without superior numbers, and is willing to take a shot while his opponents back is turned.
  Uhtred: I should have known you would not have the courage to fight honourably.
  Wihtgar: Honour does not win a fortress.
• Defiant to the End: Insists he's the rightful heir to Bebbanburg even as Uhtred throws him to his death.
• Dirty Coward: Immediately orders his men to release Aelfwynn when Uhtred take him hostage. When confronted by Uhtred in the final battle of Season 5, Wihtgar refuses Uhtred's challenge of a Duel to the Death, admitting he can't match Uhtred's skill as a warrior, sics a couple of his men on Uhtred while he flees, then tries to attack Uhtred while his back is turned.
• Disney Villain Death: Uhtred flings Wihtgar from an upper level of Bebbanburg's great hall, and Wihtgar is fatally impaled on a pointed candelabra resting on the table below.
• Dying Curse: His last words are to insinuate that just like Wihtgar killed his father Aelfric for lordship of Bebbanburg, Uhtred's son will one day kill him for it.
• Equal-Opportunity Evil: He gathers men from across the four corners of the Earth. In Season 5 we see a his guard includes a black man and a couple of east asian men.
• Evil Counterpart: To Uhtred. Both left Bebbanburg at a young age (Uhtred was captured by Earl Ragnar/Wihtgar fell out with his father), both became very experienced outside of Saxon lands (Uhtred was adopted and raised by Danes/Wihtgar went on his own adventures in the Middle East), and both have assembled a diverse Ragtag Bunch of Misfits from various locations who follow them loyally. They also have opposite strengths. Uhtred is a Genius Bruiser who backs up his incredible swordsmanship with his tactical knowledge. Withgar, by contrast, primarily relies on his wits and dirty tricks to compensate for his comparative lack of physical strength.
• The Exile: He was banished from Bebbanburg after an argument with his father and presumed to have died in a shipwreck.
• Hero Killer: Beocca dies to save Young Uhtred, jumping in the way of Wihtgar's crossbow bolt.
• Hired Guns: Returns to Bebbanburg with an army of mercenaries he's collected on his travels. Most of them abandon Wihtgar when the siege of Bebbanburg turns against him.
• In the Back: Wihtgar tries to stab Uhtred in the back, but fails because Uhtred sees Wihtgar's shadow on a wall beside him, giving him enough warning to turn and overpower his cousin.
• Just You and Me and My GUARDS!: Admits he can't beat Uhtred in a straight fight so he waits until he has several of his men backing him up before he dares try to face him in combat.
• Kick the Dog: He makes a point of being sadistic when he has Uhtred at his mercy, attempting to kill Young Uhtred first so as to maximize his enemy's suffering. It backfires on him.
• Kick The Son Of A Bitch: No one is crying when Wihtgar kills his father, even In-Universe, due to his cruelty and incompetence.
• Oh, Crap!: His reaction when his killing of Beocca sends Uhtred, who'd been on the point of surrendering, into an Unstoppable Rage that costs him the lives of many of his men before Uhtred's forces have to flee Bebbanburg.
  • It's also his reaction to seeing Constantin's army being routed, leaving nothing to protect him from a vengeful Uhtred storming Bebbanburg.
• Patricide: Puts a crossbow bolt through his father's eye when Uhtred has him at sword point.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: With Aethelhelm in Season 5.
  Wihtgar: (after Aethelhelm tries to order him about) I am not your lackey! You may be an ally of King Constantin but you are a guest in my fortress!
• Underestimating Badassery: Tells his men not to bother killing a fleeing Uhtred and his men, thinking the storm they're fleeing into will kill them. Anyone who knows Uhtred could have told him that's a mistake.
• Villainous Breakdown: Has a massive one in Season 5 after narrowly escaping Uhtred trying to kill him and realising that between his guards either deserting Bebbanburg or joining Constantin's counterattack against Edward, there's no one in the fortress to stop Uhtred making another attempt on his life.
• Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?: He came so very, very close to averting this, but had to grab the Villain Ball at the last minute. He fully intended to shoot Uhtred in the courtyard of Bebbanburg, but instead of just doing it and ridding himself of the principle threat, he spent some time gloating and then tried to kill Uhtred's son first.
• Would Hit a Girl: Tries to use Aelfwynn as a hostage to force Edward to stand down from besieging Bebbanburg, then orders his lieutenant to throw her off the walls when Aelfwynn insists threatening her won't dissuade her uncle. Fortunately, she's saved by Uhtred taking Wihtgar himself hostage.

The Kingdom of Cumbraland

Guthred

King Guthred

Portrayed By: Thure Lindhardt

A Dane who is chosen to be a Christian king of Cumbraland and unite the tribes of Dane and Saxon. Sold to a slave trader, Alfred arranges his release in order to build allies in the north. Affable, funny and intent on being a good king, Guthred also has a ruthless streak that will lead to a betrayal of those he holds dear.

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• Big Brother Instinct: Although he butts heads with her at times, Guthred does care about his sister Gisela. He asks about her and expresses relief when Uhtred grudgingly tells him she's safe and happy.
• Can't Kill You, Still Need You: About the only reason Uhtred doesn't disembowel Guthred is because Alfred wants him alive to maintain stability in Northumbria.
• Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Aside from a brief mention by his sister, Guthred is never seen nor mentioned again after Uhtred leaves Northumbria to return to Wessex in Season 2. Aethelflaed briefly mentions to Edward in Season 4 that the Mercia army she sent to recapture Eoforwic has succeeded, inferring Guthred may have been deposed and/or killed during the interim period.
• Cruel Mercy: He genuinely believes he's doing Uhtred a favor by selling him into slavery instead of killing him outright.
• Oh, Crap!: When he sees a pissed off Uhtred storming back into Eoforwic after being freed from captivity. Also during the multiple times Uhtred threatens to kill him if Guthred so much as annoys him slightly.
• Pet the Dog: He promises to write to Alfred and say Uhtred and Ragnar are attacking Dunholm on his orders, so Alfred doesn't punish them for abandoning his orders to pursue their personal vendetta against Kjartan.
• Puppet King: He's a puppet to whatever advisor is most adamant at the time, due to being easily swayed.
• Reformed, but Rejected: He does attempt to make amends for his actions (see Pet the Dog) but Uhtred makes it clear his forgiveness will not, if ever, be forthcoming for Guthred.
• Ungrateful Bastard: In spite of everything Uhtred does for him, including freeing him from slavery, Guthred still allows himself to be turned against him by Eadred. He sells Uhtred into slavery, and even laments the irony.
• This Is Unforgivable!: Uhtred makes it plain he will never forgive Guthred for his betrayal, nor the fact it got Halig killed.
  Uhtred: You will do as I ask or I will kill you! [...] I WILL KILL YOU AND TAKE EVERY CONSEQUENCE! What you did to me, what you did to Halig, I can never forget, and I will never forgive.
• Too Dumb to Live: Having already been warned that he would die if he so much as crossed Uhtred, Guthred starts complaining that Uhtred merely exiled Sigefrid and Erik instead of killing them, at which point Ragnar advises Guthred to shut up before his petulance get him killed.
  Guthred: How do I know Sigefrid and Erik are gone?! Like your uncle, I would have preferred a head-!
  Ragnar the Younger: One more word, lord and it will be your head. You will do as my brother says or I will kill you and take Eoforwic for myself.
• Weak-Willed: As intent as he is on being a well-loved and strong king, Guthred is remarkably easy to persuade.

Eadred

Abbot Eadred

Portrayed By: David Schofield

A pompous and powerful priest who claims to have seen St Cuthbert selecting Guthred to be the King of Cumbraland in a vision. The abbot is deeply disapproving of Uhtred, and seeing his popularity as a threat to King Guthred’s influence, turns Guthred against him, with shocking consequences.

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• Arranged Marriage: Tries to force Gisela into one of these to make an alliance between Guthred and Aelfric. Fortunately, it's stopped by Uhtred's arrival and Eadred's inability to keep his mouth shut until Uhtred has enough and puts a knife in his gut.
• Asshole Victim: Virtually no one is sorry when Uhtred sends this vile, racist misogynist to meet his maker. The only reason Hild and Alfred raise a fuss is because Eadred was unarmed and Uhtred killed him inside a church.
• Corrupt Church: One of the worst examples in the series.
• Evil Chancellor: Serves as one to Guthred.
• Fantastic Racism: Another Christian who's openly racist towards pagans.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: He orders his men to stand down and let Gisela go when Ragnar threatens to kill them all. Unfortunately, he can't resist having the last word against Uhtred (see Too Dumb to Live for the end result).
• Laser-Guided Karma: He's one of the driving forces behind Guthred betraying and selling Uhtred into slavery. Guess who's the first to die when Uhtred gets free.
• Obstructive Bureaucrat: He does his best to contradict Uhtred's advice in front of Guthred.
• Oh, Crap!: His reaction to Ragnar the Younger casually suggesting they kill Eadred and his cronies.
• Stay in the Kitchen: His attitude towards Gisela and his comments on women in general smack of these.
• Too Dumb to Live: Having already earned Uhtred's enmity by conspiring with Guthred and Aelfric to sell him into slavery, when Uhtred returns to find Eadred trying to force Gisela into an arranged marriage to Aelfric by proxy, it would probably be a good idea to keep his mouth shut. Uhtred was initially willing, at Gisela's urging, to walk away, but when Eadred insists on trying to have the last word, Uhtred finally has enough and Eadred comes down with a fatal case of knife-through-bowels.
  Uhtred: Say [Gisela]'s married one more time and the devil will take you, priest, I swear it!
  Eadred: You're nothing but a heathen and the bitch is married! [Uhtred promptly stabs him in the gut].
• Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Eadred's death gives Alfred leverage to blackmail Uhtred into swearing another oath of service to Wessex by threatening to punish Ragnar for not intervening when Uhtred murdered the abbot, giving Uhtred even more reason to resent Alfred.

Other Saxons

Mildrith

Mildrith

Played By: Amy Wren

Uhtred’s wife, and Odda the Elder’s godchild, Mildrith is good-natured, trusting, and beautiful. A very devout Christian, she is generous and committed to the workers on her estate. Mildrith is ashamed of the debt to the church that she inherited from her deceased father. Her piety grows the longer she is with the untamed pagan Uhtred, driving a wedge between them.

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• Break the Cutie: She is left swimming in debt, gets pawned off to a semi-barbaric warrior despite never having met him before, and her Saxon friends wish for her husband's death in battle. Things start to get better until Uhtred actively becomes a Jerkass towards her and constantly insults her in her own home. The fact that she didn't become completely bitter earlier is a testament to her good nature.
• Good Parents: She is, by all appearances, an excellent mother.
• Happily Married: She and Uhtred genuinely love each other and she reacts with dismay when Aelswith tries to comfort her by telling her that Uhtred (who is a hostage of Guthrum) will soon be dead. If it wasn't for Uhtred's Pride being wounded by the enforced penance and other events, there's every chance that they would have remained so.
• Morality Pet: To Odda the Younger.
• Nice Girl: She is, by default, a very lovely person, to the point where it gets in the way of her good sense, and it's a large part of why Uhtred warms up to her. This makes it all the more upsetting (for her and the audience) when the penance drives a wedge between her, pious, and Uhtred, pagan and prideful in equal measure.
• Outliving One's Offspring: Iseult's magic treatment of Baby Edward's illness causes the death of a random child somewhere. This child is the son of Mildrith and Uhtred.
• Perfectly Arranged Marriage: She and Uhtred don't meet until the wedding, but quickly warm up to each other and, one suspects, would have been very happy with each other if events had gone another way.
• Taking the Veil: Has apparently become a nun.
• Took a Level in Jerkass: She angrily rebuffs Uhtred when he tries to offer his regrets for not being there when their son died and tells him not to contact her again.

Iseult

Queen Iseult

Portrayed By: Charlie Murphy

One of Cornish King Peredur’s two wives, Iseult is a ‘shadow queen’; a beautiful sorceress with magical powers.

Iseult captivates Uhtred from the first moment they meet, and teases him with visions of his future. Mysterious, cool, and slightly aloof, Iseult is a world away from Mildrith, and Uhtred is powerless to resist her charms.

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• Aloof Dark-Haired Girl: She's a tall beautiful woman with dark long hair. She's mysterious, composed and aloof. And she is a seer.
• Betty and Veronica: The Veronica to Mildrith's Betty.
• Black Magic: What she is perceived to know.
• Due to the Dead: Beocca restores her body and grants her a funeral pyre in accordance with Uhtred's wishes.
• Hope Spot: Gives Uhtred one when she tells him his adopted sister Thyra is alive, albeit as a slave of Kjartan and Sven.
• Hot Witch: Uhtred most certainly thinks so. She has seer powers and is a natural healer. She's also breathtakingly beautiful.
• The Medic: She makes several herbal tonics for Alfred that alleviate his stomach pain during his time in the Somerset marshes.
• Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Iseult is a British shadow queen from Cornwall who is married to a minor king Peredur. She's mysterious and keeps her virginity because she believes it maintains her seer powers. Iseult is a great beauty with fair skin, dark eyes and black hair. She's very much admired and hero Uhtred falls in love with her.
• My God, What Have I Done?: She goes through this when she believes the spell she performed to save Alfred's son killed Uhtred's son in Edward's place.
  Iseult: You know I did this to you, when I saved the king's son.
  Uhtred: No.
  Isuelt: [in tears] I knew an innocent would die!
• Off with Her Head!: Skorpa kills her and throws her head at Uhtred's feet to taunt him. That is a mistake.
• Pet the Dog: She consoles Uhtred when he discovers his son by Mildrith has died in his absence and points out to a fearful Uhtred the fact Mildrith took the time to bury the boy indicates she was not killed by the Danes who ransacked their estate.
• Promoted to Scapegoat: When Iseult suggests to Uhtred she can save Alfred's seriously ill infant son, Hild warns Iseult will get this treatment if her efforts fail.
  Hild: You had best succeed. If the child dies, you will be blamed.
  Uhtred: We cannot sit and do nothing!
  Hild: That is not what I am saying...but Iseult is a woman and a pagan. She will be blamed, regardless of her meaning well.
• Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: She clearly believes this to the point she stabs a Danish warrior in the eye for raping a nun.
• Virgin Power: It is believed she will retain her powers so long as she remains this. In Episode 8, she begs Uhtred to take her virginity to free her from the power she has come to view as a curse.

Asser

Brother Asser

Portrayed By: Nicholas Rowe

• Fantastic Racism: Surprise, surprise, another Christian prejudiced against Danes. He also is very vocal in disparaging Iseult, considering her a witch.
• Jerkass Has a Point: For all his misogyny and fanatical prejudice, his testimony against Uhtred for illegally raiding Cornwallum and helping Skorpa kill King Peredur is accurate.
  • While being in the lead to flee Winchester is hardly an act of bravery, Asser makes a good point to Beocca that the Danes are unlikely to show mercy to Christian priests.
  Asser: [to Beocca] Father, they will hack the likes of us to pieces!
• Oh, Crap!: His reaction when Alfred selects him to be a messenger to rally troops to fight at Ethandun. Also when Guthrum's army assaults Winchester and when Skorpa attacks the Saxon camp at Ethandun.
• The Neidermeyer: A non-military example: Uhtred is worried Asser will try to undo his work to convince Alfred he needs to fight back against the Danes.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: When Uhtred and Skorpa join forces to kill King Peredur, Asser flees at the first chance. He's also quick to flee when Guthrum's army invades Winchester and when Skorpa attacks the Saxon camp at Ethandun.
• Straw Misogynist: His distaste for Iseult seems as much on account of her being a woman as for her paganism.
• Young Future Famous People: Historically, Asser became King Alfred's biographer and is largely believed to be the reason any record of Alfred survives to the present day. His life's work, "The Life of King Alfred" is believed to be one of the best historical sources of information on Alfred's reign.

Wales

Hywel

King Hywel

Portrayed by: Steffan Rhodri

The warrior king of Wealas (Wales), Hywel dislikes the Saxons of Wessex and Mercia, having clashed with them before, and is dismissive of Alfred and Edward's dream of a united England, but he despises and recognises the Danes as a far greater threat.

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• Enemy Mine: He dislikes the Saxons of Wessex and Mercia, but is willing to fight beside them at Tettenhall, rather than risk Cnut's army emerging victorious and turning its attention to Wealas.
• Everyone Has Standards: Disapproves of his younger brother's cruelty towards a captive Brida. He's also appalled by the devastation Brida and Sigtryggr have wreaked on his subjects.
• Not in This for Your Revolution: Makes it plain to Edward he has no interest in a long-term alliance or becoming a vassal state to Wessex.
  Hywel: There will be no alliance and no more favors. The people of Wealas do not need Saxon help.
• Oh, Crap!: His reaction to his pilgrimage being disturbed by a survivor of the men he left with his brother handing him a sack containing the severed head of one of his captains and being told a Danish army has landed from Ireland and is ravaging the undefended Welsh countryside.
• Only in It for the Money: Makes it plain to Edward after the Battle of Tettenhall the only reason he and his Welshmen fought was because Pyrlig promised them the lion's share of the spoils of battle.
• Pet the Dog: When his army finds child survivors of a Welsh village massacred by Brida and her supporters, Hywel tells the children to hide somewhere safe and promises the attack on their village will be avenged.
• Religious Bruiser: A warrior king who celebrates his victory over the Danes at Tettenhall by going on a pilgrimage.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: A Welsh warrior king who leads his men into battle and tries to protect his subjects from Danish raiders.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Manages to escape the trap Sigtryggr laid for his army by fleeing the battlefield.

Rhodri

Rhodri

Portrayed by: Nigel Lindsay

King Hywel's younger and more impulsive brother.

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• Badass Boast: Gives one when Aethelflaed asks why Welsh forces have come to fight at Tettenhall.
  Rhodri: We are here to fight Cnut, lady, and best the Dane as we have bested the Saxon for so many years!
• Blatant Lies: Mocks Brida at the Welsh victory feast to celebrate Tettenhall by menacing her with a sword he claims belonged to Cnut.
  • When Sigtryggr's army storm his brother's castle, where Rhodri was left in command, and take him prisoner, demanding to know where Brida is, Rhodri claims to have killed her. Unfortunately, Brida starts screaming from her cell under the main hall to alert her Danish rescuers.
• The Dragon: To King Hywel.
• Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: The foolish to his older brother's responsible.
• Kick the Dog: Takes Brida as a slave after Tettenhall and mistreats her at every opportunity. She repays his treatment in kind when Sigtryggr frees her.
• Neck Snap: Brida wraps his chains around his throat and kicks him into a pit, killing him via this.
• You Are in Command Now: Hywel leaves him in charge while he goes off on pilgrimage.

Scotland

Constantin

King Constantin

Portrayed by: Rod Hallett

The ambitious and warlike King of Alba (Scotland), Constantin (the historical Constantine II of Scots) views Edward's dream of a united England as a threat to his power. When a disgraced Aethelhelm offers him a way to challenge that threat, Constantin seizes the opportunity to diminish his rival.

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• And Now You Must Marry Me: Aethelhelm kidnaps Aelfwynn to offer her as a bride to Constantin to cement their alliance.
• Anti-Villain: He agrees to help the genuinely villainous Aethelhelm against the protagonists, but his primary reason for doing so is very reasonable, mostly centering on the potential threat of an openly expansionist Kingdom of England being positioned right on his borders.
• Beard of Evil: A long red one.
• Big Bad Duumvirate: Becomes this with Aethelhelm in the last half of season five, conspiring to overthrow Edward and place Aelfwyrd on the throne in exchange for staying out of Northumbria, sealing the alliance with a planned marriage to Aelfwynn. Aethelhem is the one proposing the scheme while Constantin provides the military support. Aethelhelm is the more villainous of the pair, though Constantin is the more powerful of the pair.
• Blood Knight: He dismisses Aethelhelm's suggestion to wait out Edward's siege in favour of leading a two-pronged attack against the Wessex forces.
• Boisterous Bruiser: A skilled warrior who's quick to laugh, smile and crack jokes
• Brutal Honesty: Constantin pulls no punches, bluntly telling Aelfweard not to trust his grandfather and telling Aelfwynn their marriage will be a celibate one because he is in love with someone else. Aelfwynn even admits she appreciates his honesty compared to the lies and double dealing she's had to endure recently.
• Cool Uncle: Constantin's nephew is also his right hand man, who is clearly valued enough by his uncle for Constantin to agree to a prisoner exchange, including Young Uhtred and Aldhelm, for his safe return.
• Death Glare: He and Edward exchange one as Constantin departs Bebbanburg.
• Evil Redhead: "Evil" is debatable, but he's red haired and a rival king in league with Edward's enemies.
• A Father to His Men: Orders his army to retreat and save themselves, rather than die fighting for a lost cause when the battle for Bebbanburg turns against the Scots.
• Frontline General: Personally leads his army into battle.
• Hero Killer: Constantin kills Haesten in the belief he's an enemy spy.
• Horrible Judge of Character: Subverted in that he's clearly aware Aethelhelm and Wihtgar are untrustworthy scumbags but Constantin collaborates with them because their own schemes serve his ambitions.
• Ladykiller in Love: He's seen leaving a bed full of beautiful, naked women to attend a war council with Aethelhelm and Wihtgar, but later tells Aelfwynn he's in love with the wife of one of his nobles.
• Near-Villain Victory: Constantin was on the verge of killing Edward, forcing him and his army off a cliff, when Danish reinforcements led by Uhtred and Stiorra attack his army from the rear, reinvigorating Edward's army to fight on and leaving Constantin's forces trapped between the two.
• No Sympathy: His only response to Wihtgar whining about Uhtred making an attempt on his life is to bluntly tell Wihtgar to deal with the problem before Uhtred tries again.
  Wihtgar: This alliance has brought me nothing! Now he hunts me in my own fortress!
  Constantin: If he hunts you, I suggest you find him.
• Noble Demon: He's the warlike king of a rival nation, but he has principles, is not afraid of getting his hands dirty and leading his men into battle, and comes across as a more decent man than his subordinates.
• Oh, Crap!: His reaction to Uhtred and Stiorra's army attacking his forces from the rear.
• Outside-Context Problem: After four and a half seasons focused on conflict between the Saxons and the Danes, Constantin - who belongs to neither group - comes out of left field to become the final season's Big Bad.
• Pet the Dog: Takes the time to reassure a captive Aelfwynn that he will not mistreat her once they are married, and though it will be a celibate marriage, he will ensure she lives in comfort and wants for nothing in Scotland.
• Pragmatic Villainy: Having lost the battle, Constantin orders his nephew to burn Bebbanburg to the ground before fleeing, insisting he won't allow his enemies to have such a powerful fortress so close to the Scottish border.
• Religious Bruiser: A surprisingly devout Christian who's shown praying before leading his warriors into battle at Bebbanburg.
• Shut Up, Hannibal!: Constantin shuts up Aethelhelm's constant attempts to tell him how to battle Edward besieging Bebbanburg by retorting he could quite easily hand Aethelhelm over to Edward in exchange for his own safe passage back to Scotland.
• Villain Has a Point: He cites Edward's conquests of Mercia and Northumbria as evidence that Wessex is an imminent threat to Scotland. Considering Edward had by that point repeatedly betrayed his own allies and killed people in cold blood in order to bring those kingdoms under his control, Constantin's fears are far from unjustified.
• Villain Team-Up: With Aethelhelm and Wihtgar.
• We Will Meet Again: Implied; although Constantin accepts Uhtred as Lord of Bebbanburg and agrees to a peace deal that keeps Northumbria a neutral kingdom, his final scene has him and his nephew studying a map of Northumbria and potential troop movements against Bebbanburg itself, implying he isn't willing to forgo conquering Northumbria for Scotland completely.