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→Historical Characters
One of the Vikings was Hastein, who seems to be a key aid to the leader Norse in the series, namely the brothers Siegfried and Erik. While Siegfried and Erik seem fictional, Hastein is known to have come to England in the late 9th century and did launch some devastating attacks. His role, however, in this season is more minimal, focusing on his support of the two Norse brothers.<ref>For more on Hastein, see: Craughwell, T.J. (2008) <i>How the barbarian invasions shaped the modern world: the Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars who razed the old world and formed the new.</i> Beverly, MA, Fair Winds Press, pg. 199.</ref>
The story also introduces Osferth, who likely was Alfred's illegitimate son. The historical records on him do not make it clear, and in the series he is shown as a monk who wants to join Uhtred's warriors. There does exist records from Alfred's will that suggests Osferth was a son of Alfred's, where he is called kinsman, and he even held some important positions as ealdorman in historical texts.<ref>For more on Osferth, see: Abels, R.P. (1998) <i>Alfred the Great: war, kingship, and culture in Anglo-Saxon England. The medieval world.</i> Harlow, England ; New York, Longman, pg. 48.</ref>
The other key characters were introduced in Season 1, such as Alfred. Uhtred is a fictional character, although historical characters with that name and from Bebbanburg are, in fact, known.
