The Last Kingdom Wiki
Register
Advertisement

"If we wish, there is a way to raise the greatest army these shores have ever seen. It can be done. The Temes river would be dark with ships, Danes and Northmen. All we need to be is clever... and patient. (...) Oh, there will still be blood to spill brother... but this way we can be kings of it all. No Guthrum, no Æthelred... no Alfred. No Uhtred."
—Erik to his brother, Sigefrid, about taking over[src]

Erik Thurgilson was a main character and antagonist turned ally in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series, acting as an antagonist in the first part of Season 2 and an anti-hero in its second part . He was a Norse Earl and the brother of Sigefrid Thurgilson.

Biography[]

The Saxon Stories[]

In "Sword Song", once Erik and Æthelflæd fell in love, and had they escaped successfully, Erik promised Æthelflæd that he will convert to Christianity. He wanted to live peacefully tilling in the fields and taking care of their future farm animals. Erik told Uhtred that he was willing to swear an oath to Ragnar and stay at Dunholm once they’ve escaped from Beamfleot.

(More To Be Added)

The Last Kingdom[]

Season 2eEoferwic, Northumbria; Sigefrid belittles and attacks Hrothweard, just before he and Erik prepare to lead their men into war. They leave the city under Hæsten’s control. He reminds them that what they need more than silver is women. ("Episode 2.1")[]

Sigefrid and Erik arrive in Eoferwic. Erik assures Sigefrid that they are not defeated. Men will come and they will take Eoferwic back. They later attend the negotiation with King Guthred. They are familiar with Uhtred's reputation. They thank him for killing Ubba. They’ve gained much wealth since his demise. King Guthred is willing to negotiate with them, but he will kill them if necessary. In exchange for peace, he will offer them a fortress at Dunholm, which currently belongs to Kjartan. They will take it from Kjartan. One way to defeat him is to deny him food and freedom. They would need to surround him with men, with defenses and deny him what he needs to live. Their men would need to be fed and remain sober, for months. It would take too much time and too many men, some hundreds of men, Uhtred retorts. However, King Guthred agrees with Sigefrid and Erik. ("Episode 2.2")

The brothers align with Guthred in Cumbraland for a time, but when Ælfric, uncle of Uhtred discovers that he was sold into slavery when Guthred had promised him Uhtred's head and leaves, Sigefrid and Erik leave as well and begin raiding nearby villages. ("Episode 2.3")

Uhtred enters Sigefrid’s tent. He is disarmed by Sigefrid’s woman, and then Uhtred and Sigefrid exchange blows. Uhtred cuts off Sigefrid’s hand and then drags him out the tent for all to see. Finan and Steapa stand by his side. Erik and Hæsten arrive. Sigefrid orders his brother to kill Uhtred, but Erik instead tries to bargain with him. Erik gives Uhtred his word that he is willing to pay whatever price necessary. He tells Erik to take one ship and leave Northumbria, never to return. Erik agrees to his terms and takes his brother and cauterizes his hand. ("Episode 2.4")

Godwine warns Erik that they’re crossing over into Wessex and that this stretch of river is protected by Uhtred, but they have trade there, so Erik instructs him to proceed. Unbeknownst to them, Clapa watches from the shore. They arrive on shore, and Uhtred approaches Erik, who claims that he didn’t come to fight but rather to meet with a dead man. He will make his appointment in Mercia and then return to Frankia. Erik informs Uhtred that they’ve grown stronger and have 19 ships. They have no plan other than to follow Bjorn, who speaks the words of the three spinners. After his defeat at Ethandun, the Earl Guthrum rejected their gods and they are angry. They want revenge. Uhtred allows Erik to pass, and for that, Uhtred will always have Erik’s respect. ("Episode 2.5")

Erik is in Beamfleot with Sigefrid. They prepare their Dane army to go after King Æthelstan. They will avenge the Gods for Guthrum’s treachery ("Episode 2.5")

Sigefrid and Erik capture Lundene and and await the Saxon assault. When Uhtred and Æthelred are dispatched to retake Lundene, Sigefrid and Erik pull out all their men and make for the Saxon camp. ("Episode 2.6")

Erik and Sigefrid capture Æthelflæd. Erik develops certain attraction and strong feelings for princess Æthelflæd while she was in captivity. At first allowing her to bathe in privacy, then rescuing her from Hæsten attempt of rape and ultimately taking her to see the stars and breathing "cool air" at night, where they both shared stories. Erik telling her he was to be called Mani like the God of moon which each night was chased by Hati the wolf, his mother then changed her mind since she didn't want him to be chased by wolves, to the amusement of Æthelflæd she then confessed in certain way that the man mistreating her before coming to Beaumflot was her own husband Æthelred. Then they both Erik and Æthelflæd share a tender and passionate kiss. ("Episode 2.7")

Erik is killed by his brother Sigefrid when betraying their plan to ransom Æthelflæd in order to finance a vast army to use against Alfred. Its later suggested that he may be the father of Æthelflæd's unborn child. ("Episode 2.8")

Personality[]

Compared to his brother, Sigefrid, Erik is often seen to be the more reasonable one. He is calm in stressful situations such as when Uhtred held Sigefrid hostage and threaten to kill him, and he took a diplomatic approach without losing his composure. Erik is also shown to be the more caring one of the two brothers when he takes a liking to Æthelflæd when she is taken hostage and they plan to run away together. However, before they can leave, he is killed by his brother Sigefrid whilst protecting Æthelflæd.

Appearances[]

The Saxon Stories[]

Books 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
The Saxon Stories                        

The Last Kingdom[]

Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Season 1                
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Seven Kings Must Die

Trivia[]

  • Erik "converted religions", he was born a pagan but promised Æthelflæd that he will convert to Christianity after they escaped. He hadn't been baptised but he showed interest and was willing to be converted into Christianity.
  • The name Erik comes from Old Norse and is deprived from the name Eiríkr. The name is made up of the words ei, which means "ever, always", and ríkr, which means "ruler, mighty".
  • Erik was a noble; he was a Jarl of Northumbria.
  • Erik and his brother are northmen as opposed to many of the other Viking characters in the series who are Danes meaning he is from Norway instead of Denmark.
Advertisement