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The Last Kingdom is in its fourth season on Netflix and the series has been renewed for a fifth instalment. The show is based on a series of novels called The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, and they follow Dane Slayer Uhtred of Bebbanburg (played by Alexander Dreymon). One of the main characters in the series is Guthred (Thure Lindhardt) and fans are keen to find out more about him.
Who is Guthred in The Last Kingdom?
Guthred is one of the main characters in The Saxon Stories and he also plays an important role in The Last Kingdom series.
His father was a notorious warrior who was killed, and Guhtred was captured and held as a slave.
Uhtred helped Guthred become a king in Northumbria and he used him in an attempt to win back his homeland of Bebbanburg.
Guthred first made an appearance in season two of The Last Kingdom, where Guthred is rescued by Uhtred and Beocca (Ian Hart).
Guthred was grateful to Uhtred and wanted to make him commander of his army, to which Uhtred agreed.
While in Northumbria Uhtred was mistaken for the king until Uhtred corrected those who did not believe Guthred was in charge.
Guthred and Uhtred then both swore an oath and they planned to rid Northumbria of enemies.
He and Uhtred later meet with Sigefrid (Björn Bengtsson) and his brother Erik (Christian Hillborg) who were also notorious warriors. Guthred hoped to negotiate with them and ask for peace in return for some land.
Many people close to Guthred were concerned Uhtred was a threat to his crown, but Guthred had faith in Uhtred.
Later in the series, Guthred struck a bargain with Aelfric (Joseph Millson), Uhtred’s uncle, and Aelfric agreed to join Guthred if he could marry his sister Gisela (Peri Baumeister).
Uhtred found out Guthred had double crossed him and had been working with Aelfric the whole time in a bid to have Uhtred killed.
Uhtred had threatened to kill Guthred for his betrayal, but he said he would spare his life. Guthred, now threatened by Uhtred’s power, made him a slave.
He remained alive across all four episodes he featured in throughout the series, however, in the books he dies of an illness.
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Is Guthred based on a real person?
Guthred, otherwise known as Guthfrith, was a real king of Viking Northumbria from the year 883 until he died in 895.
Like in the books and series, historic accounts say Guthrum had been a slave, but he was made a king.
Halfdan, who was the first king of Viking York, had been expelled in 877 and in 883 Guhtred took over.
Historians are still trying to learn if Guthred was Christian, as he had strong ties with the community of Saint Cuthbert.
The king had been the target of an invasion by the Scots, but Saint Cuthbert had helped defeat them.
Guthred was buried at York Minster, and his legacy has lived on in popular culture.
As well as his portrayals in The Saxon Stories and The Last Kingdom, he also features in the Total War: Thrones of Britannia video games.
He was chosen as king in an attempt to unite the Danes and Saxons.
The Last Kingdom originally aired on BBC Two and the network said: “Sold to a slave trader, Alfred [David Dawson] 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.”
The Last Kingdom is on Netflix now.
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