10 best The Last Kingdom characters not named Uhtred

No. 9: Sigtryggr (Eysteinn Sigurdarson)

Most of the Dane warlords in The Last Kingdom are portrayed as bloodthirsty villains, but Sigtryggr didn't fit that mold. Yes, Sigtryggr does capture the city of Winchester while King Edward is away, and yes he does brutally murder many warriors and civilians, but he doesn't share the same agenda as many of his peers and predecessors.

Sigtryggr isn't looking to necessarily conquer the Saxons. No, he's fighting towards a peace with them. He wanted to trade Winchester for York, where he intended to establish a safe haven for Danes to live in peace with the Saxons. It was also beneficial that he became Uhtred's son-in-law when he married Uhtred's daughter Stiorra.

For a while, Sigtryggr succeeded, even though it made Uhtred's old companion Brida, who's more in touch with her Dane roots, into a bitter enemy. Eventually, he would also be tricked by Aethelhelm into breaking the peace with King Edward. When he led his men south to attack a Saxon stronghold, he inspired the wrath of King Edward, who ordered Uhtred to execute his daughter's husband.

While it was gut-wrenching to see, Uhtred carried out his order because Sigtryggr had been tricked and broke the peace without first making sure the information he had was correct. Still, his character was an indication of what could be accomplished in the future. There could be peace between the two factions.