The Last Kingdom Wiki
Register
Advertisement

"It is more difficult to live peacefully with enemies than to fight them."
—Sigtryggr[src]

Sigtryggr Ivarsson or Sigtryggr the One-Eyed (later known as Sigtryggr of Northumbria) is a character in The Saxon Stories novel series and The Last Kingdom television series, acting as the main antagonist of the second part of Season 4 and an anti-hero in Season 5.

He is a norse-gael viking warlord and Uhtred's son-in-law, through marriage to Stiorra. He is the great-grandson of Ivar the Boneless and the great-nephew to Ubba and Halfdan.

Biography[]

The Saxon Stories[]

In "The Empty Throne", a Norse fleet is headed towards Ceaster to capture the fort, lead by Sigtryggr, to which Eardwulf joins. Siggtrygr loses an eye in a fight with Uhtred himself; hence the name "the One Eyed". This leads to his army retreating. There are negotiations taken and the Norse are allowed to leave for Irland again. Before they board the ship, Uhtred finds out that Stiorra plans to leave with Sigtryggr. Uhtred is not too happy but allows her to go as he sees her mother in her.

At the end of "Warriors of the Storm", Æthelflæd allows Sigtryggr to take the north only if he promises to not attack Mercia. Thus he becomes the king of Northumbria.

In "War of the Wolf", Sigtryggr is tricked in to marrying King Edward's daughter after the death of Stiorra.

(To Be Added)

The Last Kingdom[]

Season 4[]

Deheubarth, Wealas; Sigtryggr leads the Danes in an invasion of Wealas. He orders his men to kill anyone who looks like they can’t work. They can sell the others as slaves. Rhodri tries to attack, but he is greatly outnumbered and doesn’t fare well. They’ve come looking for Brida. Rhodri claims they killed her, but Brida shouts out from beneath the pit that she's very much alive. ("Episode 4.7")

Brida is carried before Sigtryggr. He wants to be certain that she is in fact Brida. As proof, she states that she fought with Guthrum and followed Ragnar. However, he still doesn’t believe her. He realizes she’s pregnant and asks who the father is. Brida reveals that Cnut is the father. Sigtryggr then introduces himself to Brida as Cnut’s cousin. Brida claims she belongs to no man and is a warrior alone. He wants Brida to prove who she is and kicks a sword towards her. Brida lifts the sword and holds it to Rhodri. She tells him to prepare to be broken as he tried to do her. She then puts the collar on Rhodri’s neck and throws him in the pit. ("Episode 4.7")

Sigtryggr asks Brida how Cnut fell. She reveals it was mainly by his betrayal. He murdered the man she loved and blamed another. Sigtryggr believes that he died with dishonor if he allows his woman to be enslaved. She replies that her enslavement was the doing of Uhtred the Dane Slayer. And it’s for this that Brida will have her revenge. Sigtryggr is familiar with the Dane Slayer and his reputation. He questions why Cnut never came when they signalled for help. Brida claims they had their own battles. She then reveals that the greatest riches are in Wessex. ("Episode 4.7")

Brida returns from Llangadog. When Sigtryggr asks where the women are, Brida claims they fought back. She proposes they invade Wessex and Mercia. Edward and Uhtred slaughtered their kin, and for that, Brida wants revenge. Brida explains that the Saxons are weak now after Tettenhall and vulnerable. However, Sigtryggr explains that his men won’t be willing to fight the Saxons when they already have all they need in Wealas. So, Brida leaves to enact her own revenge, taking five of Sigtryggr’s men with her. ("Episode 4.8")

Wealas; King Hywel and his men return to Wealas. Their plan to sneak attack the Danes fails as Sigtryggr predicts their arrival. He stands with his men at the other end of the field. As the Welsh charge towards them, Sigtryggr signals his men to fire arrows, which in turns sets the field ablaze, forcing the Welsh to retreat as Sigtryggr and his men fire more arrows, killing many of the Welsh. However, as they attempt to flee, the Danes trap them within the flames, allowing Sigtryggr and his men to finish off what’s left of the Welsh. ("Episode 4.8")

Brida returns to Wealas with Eardwulf and tells Sigtryggr that he will help them take Winchester without a single drop of Danish blood spilled. Eardwulf reveals to Brida, Sigtryggr, and the Danes that after Tettenhall, Edward believes the Danes no longer hold a threat. He’s taken his army to Aegelesburg, leaving Winchester undefended. Only a handful of soldiers remain there. Brida assures Sigtryggr that an attack on Winchester is worth the risk. And so, the Danes plan to leave for Winchester as soon as possible. ("Episode 4.8")

Winchester, Wessex; Brida, Sigtryggr, Eardwulf, and the Danes attack Winchester. They kill many men and take Æthelhelm, Ælflæd, and Ælfweard captive. They ask if he would like to fight or yield. Lord Æthelhelm chooses to yield, and Sigtryggr orders his men to kill the Wessex Guards regardless. He then orders for Æthelhelm, Ælflæd, and Ælfweard to be locked up. Eardwulf informs Sigtryggr that they will have the town soon enough. ("Episode 4.9")

Ælswith, Æthelstan, and Stiorra are captured by Hæsten and his men and brought to Winchester. Once they are there, they are taken, alongside Æthelhelm, Ælflæd, and Ælfweard, before Brida, Sigtryggr, and Eardwulf. Ælswith warns them that her son will burn them all to the ground before he concedes any of Wessex land. As Ælswith is being taken away, she claims that Stiorra and Æthelstan are Dane slaves and that if Brida values her people, she would take care of them. Brida determines that Stiorra is at least half Dane. However, Eardwulf then reveals that she’s in fact Uhtred’s daughter. Brida orders her men to find Uhtred and send him Stiorra’s head, but Sigtryggr takes Stiorra with him instead, and sends the other captives "where they keep their dead king". ("Episode 4.9")

In King Alfred's study room/Reading Room, Sigtryggr assures Stiorra that he means her no harm in any form after she breaks a glass and tries to cut her face with it. He only means to speak with her. He asks about her mother to which Stiorra replies that she was Gisela, sister of Guthred of Northumbria. Sigtryggr informs Stiorra that that means they share the same ancestors. The two continue to talk, and Stiorra tells Sigtryggr how her fathers lands in Bebbanburg were stolen but her father will see them restored. Because Stiorra is of both Saxon and Dane blood, and when one side seeks to destroy the other, he tells her that she must choose. He asks if she thinks there could be peace between Saxon and Dane to which she replies that many want there to be, its just the kings who see differently. He then asks about Uhtred, and Stiorra explains that her father doesn’t hate Danes; her existence being a testament to that. ("Episode 4.9")

Sigtryggr enters the Reading Room and finds Eardwulf attacking Stiorra. He disarms Eardwulf before hitting him. She then reveals to Sigtryggr that the reason Eardwulf ran from Mercia is because he killed King Æthelred. Sigtryggr questions him if he prefers to rule with love or fear; to which Eardwulf replies fear. ("Episode 4.9")

Sigtryggr gathers his men and brings Eardwulf out before them. He reveals to Brida that Eardwulf works to his own plan and they need to be of one mind. Hæsten jokingly tells Eardwulf that Sigtryggr is playing with him and will show mercy. Sigtryggr then makes a speech about how when they fight, they work as one to achieve a common goal. And at all times, they are united and never fight out of anger as this is the way of the old generation. He then turns his attention to Eardwulf, who works for his own desires. Brida questions how Sigtryggr can speak so frivolously against the greatest of their kind who has ever walked the land. To which Sigtryggr retorts they’d still be there if they were truly so great. Eardwulf is then executed by the Danes. ("Episode 4.9")

Edward and the Wessex Guard arrive and charge towards the kingdom, but the gates are shut before they can enter. Edward’s strategy is foolish, and he inevitably falls back as his men are killed. Brida and Sigtryggr watch as they retreat. Edward warns them that soon they will be surrounded and massacred if they don’t surrender. Edward sends his men to attack. ("Episode 4.9")

Winchester has been under siege for 30 days. Stiorra remains in the Reading Room with Sigtryggr. She reads from one of the books, though she quickly grows tired of it. She tells him that she’s too hungry to read and Sigtryggr gives her the last of his bread. Brida and Hæsten enter, and Brida plans to kill a hostage; meaning Stiorra, as Edward is threatening to burn the kingdom. However, Sigtryggr won’t allow for it. Instead, he tells Hæsten to dampen the roofs with clay and water to protect it from catching fire. Sigtryggr will personally select a hostage, but not Stiorra. ("Episode 4.10")

Sigtryggr comes to take Ælfweard but Ælflæd reveals that Æthelstan is the king’s first born. Æthelstan admits that he’s the elder brother, and Sigtryggr decides to take both. ("Episode 4.10")

Sigtryggr sounds the horn and calls to King Edward. He wishes to speak eye-to-eye. Edward orders Aldhelm to tell Sigtryggr to surrender or he will burn them all. Sigtryggr then shows that he has both of Edward’s heirs. Edward orders his men to lower their weapons. Aldhelm advises Edward against approaching the gate, but he does so, with Aldhelm and the Wessex army behind him. Sigtryggr opens the front gate to meet Edward with Æthelstan and Ælfweard. Edward demands to be reunited with his children. He offers to only give Edward one of his sons but only if he retreats. Instead, Edward walks away. ("Episode 4.10")

Uhtred approaches the gates on his own and calls out to Sigtryggr, much to Hæsten’s surprise, as he was under the impression that Uhtred was dead as he left him to die. Uhtred tells Sigtryggr to send out both of Edward’s children and he will walk into Winchester alone. Hæsten admits to Sigtryggr that what Uhtred says is true. They’ll never be able to truly conquer Winchester while he lives as Edward can make more heirs but Edward can't make another Uhtred. Sigtryggr agrees to make the exchange. Uhtred enters Winchester as Æthelstan and Ælfweard exit, running into Edward’s arms. ("Episode 4.10")

Ælswith, Æthelhelm, and Ælflæd are escorted out their prison and taken to Brida and Sigtryggr. He reveals that Edward couldn’t choose between his sons, and he has given them Uhtred in his place. Uhtred is surprised to see that Brida is pregnant, as he did not know when he allowed her to be captured by the Welsh. She orders for Uhtred to be tied to the crucifix in the marketplace. However, Sigtryggr wants Uhtred taken to the hall first. He assures Brida she will have Uhtred when he’s done. Lastly, he has the captives taken back to the chapel and fed. ("Episode 4.10")

Sigtryggr enters the hall and attacks Uhtred, who is not armed, but Uhtred doesn’t believe that Sigtryggr is actually trying to kill him. Sigtryggr has been reading Alfred’s chronicle and Uhtred isn’t mentioned. Uhtred explains that Alfred didn’t want it known how much he owed to a heathen. Sigtryggr then reveals that he knows that Stiorra is his daughter, and she has been well taken care of. She’s told Sigtryggr much about Uhtred, such as how he’s lost his home in Bebbanburg. This interests Sigtryggr as he too lost his home, and so that puts them in common ground. Sigtryggr wishes to strike a bargain, and he doesn’t trust Edward to do so. Sigtryggr wants peace and land. All they have to do is get Edward to agree to a meeting and argue terms. ("Episode 4.10")

Uhtred and Sigtryggr reach the courtyard, where the battle has erupted. Uhtred tells Edward to stand down. He does so after some convincing, as does Sigtryggr. Afterward, Uhtred, Æthelflæd, Edward and Sigtryggr go to the hall to negotiate. Sigtryggr wants Eoferwic, which Æthelflæd only just recaptured. Edward offers East Anglia, but Sigtryggr only wants Eoferwic. Uhtred then leaves them to negotiate and to find Stiorra. Uhtred is later told by that Sigtryggr made a bargain with Edward and Æthelflæd. He will take Eoferwic and agree never to enter Wessex, Mercia, or East Anglia. However, he will take a hostage with him: Stiorra. Which Edward and Æthelflæd did not refuse. Later, Stiorra leaves with Sigtryggr for Eoferwic. ("Episode 4.10")

Personality[]

Sigtryggr is not like the other Danes. Where other Danes like Ubba and Cnut show sheer anger and ferocity, Sigtryggr uses his cunning and smart nature to conquer his foes. He also shows that due to the other Danes who lacked this quality, they were never able to conquer Wessex. This quality is shown in his great-grandfather. He believes in reasoning and negotiation. He also shows kindness and a caring nature towards Stiorra, just like Erik showed to Æthelflæd.

Killed Victims[]

This list shows the victims Sigtryggr has killed:

The Last Kingdom[]

  • Eardwulf (indirectly/ordered his death)
  • numerous Irish soldiers and civilians
  • numerous Welsh soldiers
  • numerous Saxon soldiers and civilians in Wessex

The Saxon Stories[]

  • Skoll
  • (To Be Added)

Battle Participation[]

This list shows the battles Sigtryggr has participated in:

The Last Kingdom[]

The Saxon Stories[]

  • (To Be Added)

Memorable Quotes[]

"Defeated, yes. Driven from his settlements, yes. But at this moment, quite alive."
—Sigtryggr
Uhtred: "What is it you want?"
Sigtryggr: "Peace. Or peace and land."
Uhtred: "And you try to find peace by starting a war?"
Sigtryggr: "Where is the battle? Where is the war?"
Uhtred: "...I guessed you wanted to negotiate." [src]

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[]

  • This character has been based on a real historical figure. It in unclear whether it was Sitric Cáech or Sitriuc mac Ímair as both those figures lived a few years apart from each other.
  • The name Sigtryggr comes from Old Germanic. The name is made up of the words sig, which means "victory", and trygg, which means "truth".
  • He is a member of the Uí Ímair clan in Ireland. Sigtryggr was expelled from his home Dublin in 902, whereafter he may have ruled territory in the eastern Danelaw in England.
  • Sigtryggr converted religions, he was born a pagan but briefly converted into Christianity in the novels. He was tricked into marrying Ædgyth as part of a peace treaty so he had briefly converted to Christianity before going back to paganism.
  • Sigtryggr is a noble; he was born to a family of warriors and rulers, he later becomes the lord of Northumbria.
Advertisement