The Last Kingdom is a drama series on Netflix which is based on Anglo-Saxon history. The series was also inspired by The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, and one of the main characters was Cnut (played by Magnus Bruun). Fans are wondering whether the Viking warlord is based on a real person and Express.co.uk has everything you need to know.
Cnut “Longsword” Ranulfson was one of the main characters in The Last Kingdom and he became one of the biggest antagonists.
He was a Danish warlord who was the cousin of Ragnar Ragnarsson (Tobias Santelmann).
At the end of season three Cnut formed a romantic relationship with Uhtred’s (Alexander Dreymon) friend Brida (Emily Cox).
The pair went on to have two sons in season four, but Brida found out about Cnut’s plan to kill Ragnar. She discovered he had manipulated Aethelwold (Harry McEntire) into killing her former lover and, to get revenge, she drove her sword through Cnut and killed him.
Express.co.uk takes a look at the real life figures in history and the differences between them and Cnut in The Last Kingdom.
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In real life, the King – also known as Canute – was one of the most popular rulers of the Anglo-Saxon era and he was remembered for conquering many kingdoms across Europe.
His father was the Danish prince Svein, who became the king of England in 1013.
He had two wives – Aelfgifu of Northampton and Emma of Normandy – but it’s this fact which also suggests Cnut in The Last Kingdom was not based on real life.
In the series, the character Cnut’s only aired relationship was with Brida, although it is mentioned he had an unnamed wife previously.
To make matters more confusing, he was married to a woman called Frigg in the books which inspired the series.
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ENGLAND
HistoryExtra explained what Cnut thought of England and its people when he arrived.
They said: “Rather than rejecting the former Anglo-Saxon kings of England, he went out of his way to show support for them.
“He did this by visiting or making gifts to shrines associated with Anglo-Saxon kings, such as Shaftesbury Abbey, where King Edward the Martyr lay buried, or Wilton Abbey, linked with St Edith, sister of Aethelred.”
Even though he was a Viking in many senses, he became a patron of the church and embraced Christianity.
The real-life Cnut was very different to the character in the series, however,
In The Last Kingdom, the character Cnut does not understand Uhtred’s loyalty to the Saxons.
Even though his character was one of the most hated in the series, fans were sad to see Danish actor Bruun leave.
The star shared a photo of himself as Cnut on his Twitter page, as the official The Last Kingdom Twitter page posted a tribute.
They said: “We lost a beloved Father and a lovable rogue this season. But, once in The Last Kingdom family, always in #TheLastKingdom family.”
The post including a photo of Bruun and Dreymon embracing, and Bruun said: “Alexander Dreymon gives the best bloody hugs.”
One fan said: “Love it. Miss you in the series. Please keep us informed of what you are up to.”
The Last Kingdom is available to watch on Netflix now