Uhtred of Bebbanburg

Uhtred of Bebbanburg, also known as Osbert, Uhtred son of Uhtred and Uhtred Ragnarson is the main character of the best selling Saxon Stories novel series by Bernard Cornwell and the BBC / Netflix television adaptation, The Last Kingdom. Uhtred is in part based upon the historical Uhtred the Bold from the 11th century. However, the timeline of the fictional Uhtred fits better with Uhtred, an Ealdorman of Derbyshire who flourished in the 10th century, believed to have come from Northumbria. 2Biography Uhtred was born in 856 to Ealdorman Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg and a Mercian noblewoman. Uhtred, originally called Osbert, is the younger of Ealdorman Uhtred's sons. The name Uhtred is given by tradition to the oldest son, so after his older brother is killed in a failed attack, Osbert's name is changed to Uhtred. Uhtred was never taught swordsmanship in his nine years at Bebbanburg as his stepmother wanted him to pursue a life dedicated to being a priest. However, this did not stop Uhtred from wishing to go to battle. Wishing to reclaim Eoferwic, which was captured in 866 when the Danish army began to arrive in Northumbria, the Ealdorman of Bebbanburg joined forces with to fight against the Danes and reclaim Eoferwic. However, Ealdorman Uhtred was killed in a failed assaul