The Last Kingdom Seven Kings Must Die: Is Uhtred Based on a Real Life Person? Where is Bebbanburg Castle Located?

The Last Kingdom Seven Kings Must Die is the final sequel of the popular series which is based on The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. It follows the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who was born a Saxon but raised by Vikings. He seeks to claim his ancestral birthright and regain the lands annexed by his uncle. While Uhtred was successful in claiming his right & becomes the leader of a community in Northumbria.

The ensemble cast of the film includes Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Mark Rowley as Finan, Arnas Fedaravicius as Sihtric, Rod Hallet as Constantin, Harry Gilby as Aethelstan, Laurie Davidson as Ingilmundr, Ross Anderson as Domnal, Ingrid García-Jonsson, James Northcote as Aldhelm, Cavan Clerkin as Father Pyrlig, Tom Christian as Dunstan, Ewan Horrocks, Zak Sutcliffe as Edmund, Nick Wittman as Eamon and Alexandra Tóth.

Over the years, many have questioned whether Uhtred is based on a real character that lived in the same place. While in history, there is a record of a person named Uhtred the Bold, hailing from Northumbria. But is it the same person? Let’s find out.

Is Uhtred From The Last Kingdom Seven Kings Must Die a Real Person?

Well, the direct answer to this question is No. Uhtred from Babbenburg is a fictional character from the series. However, a real person with the same name & place is said to have existed before. If anything, then it is loosely based on Uhtred the Bold, an ealdorman of all Northumbria from 1006 to 1016, because the writer of The Saxon stories, Bernard Cornell is said to be the descendant of his lineage.

However, the real distinction between the two is that they exist in different centuries. The fictional Uhtred is based in the 9th century, where he was actually born as Osbert but is re-baptized as Uhtred after his elder brother with the same name is killed by the Danes. The series follows how he is taken by the Danes & grows up with him, until coming back to claim his right to Bebbanburg.

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Whereas, the real Uhtred lived in the 10th century and was the son of Waltheof I, ruler of Bamburgh (Bebbanburg), whose family the Eadwulfings had ruled the surrounding region for over a century. He did he ended up becoming an Ealdorman of all Northumbria, like in the series Uhtred was considered the leader/King of the place. However, unlike the show, the real person ends up getting assassinated and that started a blood feud, instead of a unification.

One eerie similarity could be how in The Last Kingdom Season 1, the real Uhtred also raise an army from Bernicia and Yorkshire against the Scots and lined their severed heads on poles along the walls of Durham. That made King Ethelred reward Uhtred with the ealdorman of Bebbanburg. He was later given ealdorman of York, uniting northern and southern Northumbria under one Anglo-Saxon power.

Where is the Bebbanburg Castle Located?

Since Uhtred exists, so does the castle which was shown in the last scene of the film. You can find it in the village called Bamburgh on the Northumberland coastline in England today. Bebbanburg is actually the old Saxon word for Bambrugh, which is its present name.

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is currently streaming on Netflix.

What are your thoughts on the series ending? Let us know in the comments below.

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