Uhtred of Bebbanburg: Did he really exist?

Uhtred von Bebbanburg is the unbroken hero of the Netflix series “The Last Kingdom”. The story mixes historical fact and fiction to great effect

Uhrted von Bebbanburg: real namesake, but fictional person

In the Netflix series, actor Alexander Dreymon plays the main character Uhtred von Bebbanburg, who is abducted by Vikings as a child and ultimately wants to reclaim the family castle of his childhood in Northumberland, England. Although history has written similar fates, that of Uhtred of Bebbanburg is based on the imagination of author Bernard Cornwall.

• Because in the 9th century, in which the series is set, there was no Uhtred of Bebbanburg in Northumberland. In the context of the often realistically recreated historical events in the series, he is therefore a purely fictional character.

• Nonetheless, author Bernard Cornwall was inspired by a direct relative of his own for the story: After all, there really was an Uhtred in Northumbria in the 11th century – he was called Uhtred the Bold and is an ancestor of the author.

• Uhtred the Bold fought successfully against the Scots who invaded Northumbria during the reign of King Æthelred II in 1006 and was given the title of Ealdorman of Bamburgh as a reward. Bamburgh Castle, which actually exists in the English county of Northumberland and was built on the ruins of Bebbanburgh, was therefore actually in his possession.

• An exhibition at Bamburgh Castle from 2023 shows the true history of the area, but has also addressed the myths surrounding the series “The Last Kingdom” and is open to tourists.