Guthrum

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Guthrum
Biographical information
Born	c. 835 Denmark
Died	c. 890 East Anglia, Danelaw
Species	Human
Database entries	Guthrum
Political information
Affiliations	Great Heathen Army Great Summer Army Kingdom of East Anglia

Guthrum (c. 835 – c. 890) was a Danish Viking and one of the leaders of the Great Heathen Army, a coalition of Vikings who invaded England during the 9th century.

Following his defeat by King Aelfred of Wessex at the Battle of Edington, Guthrum was forced to surrender and abide to an agreement, resulting in him converting to Christianity and adopting the baptismal name of Æthelstan as he reigned as King of East Anglia from 879 until his death.

Biography

Meeting Eivor Varinsdottir

By 873, Guthrum and his 2nd-in-command, Soma, were based in Grantebridgescire outside Grantebridge. In this year, the shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan traveled to Grantebridgechire to help the Great Heathen Army defeat one of it's enemies, a man named Wigmund.

It wasn't until 875, however, that Guthrum had met Eivor herself in Croindene, Suthsexe, who called upon him for aid in taking down the Paladin Fulke. The two, joined by the Hidden One Basim, discussed their plan of action, aiming to kill Fulke's scouts who had settled around the shire.

Guthrum meets Eivor Varinsdottir

Expressing his disapproval of Eivor's hastiness in pursuing Fulke, Guthrum found himself further incensed by a sudden assault on their camp orchestrated by Fulke's Champion. The aftermath of this intense confrontation saw the arrival of Soma, accompanied by Ubba Ragnarsson. Despite Soma's presence, Guthrum had become disillusioned with Eivor's strategic decisions. It was in the aftermath of the battle that Guthrum, prior to departing Suthsexe, imparted some parting words of wisdom to Eivor, marking a significant shift in their alliance.

Battle of Chippenham

In January 878, Guthrum and Ubba had planned attack on King Aelfred and his Saxons. Aelfred remained safe within the confines of Hamtunscire, the final Saxon stronghold in the Viking conquest of England. At Werham, Guthrum had attempted to negotiate with the king and his Reeve Goodwin in a church. Guthrum was joined by Eivor. Aelfred intended to pay the Vikings into leaving Werham, ordering Goodwin to retrieve the payment. Aelfred left, though not before taunting the duo with news of Ubba's death at the Battle of Cynwit.

Guthrum and Eivor planning their next steps

After the meeting, Guthrum and Eivor immediately disobeyed Aelfred's request and order the Vikings to attack the Saxons, plunging the town into chaos. Outside of Werham, Guthrum, Eivor, and Soma met to discuss plans. As they awaited for Eivor's allies to arrive, Soma traveled north to meet them while Guthrum and Eivor set off to free the former's warriors at the Hamtun Blockade. Guthrum noted Eivor's development since their last interaction in Suthsexe. The two made their way to the blockade and freed all of Guthrum's men.

Afterwards, Guthrum rode back to a camp near Cippanhamm, where Aelfred remained to celebrate Christmas. After Eivor's allies arrived, the army attacked Cippanhamm. Guthrum, alongside Deorlaf and Tewdwr, traveled outside of the city to gain the favor of incoming Saxon thegns. During the battle, Eivor joined the three and helped retrieve one thegn, who had barricaded himself within the village hall. After the battle, Guthrum was told tragic news of his second-in-command Soma's death. The army held a funeral for Soma and two other men who had died.

Following the Battle of Chippenham and the following funeral, Guthrum expressed interest in Aelfred's religion following his interaction with a Christian cross. Not long after, Guthrum became disillusioned with the cause he was fighting for and looked to his enemies' religion for answers. In May of that year, after being defeated at the Battle of Edington, Guthrum conceded to Alfred and converted to Christianity and taking on the name Æthelstan. Thusly being baptized by Alfred himself, Guthrum became his godson.

Conversion and later life

By 879, Æthelstan had succeeded Oswald as King of East Anglia. The lands and territory of East Anglia was given to Æthelstan by King Alfred although Alfred had no right to give away what was not his. Æthelstan was left to stabilize the land that had been in turmoil since the death of King Edmund the Martyr.

By the 880s, he formed a treaty with King Aelfred, who now claimed west Mercia following his return from exile. East Mercia and Northumbria were still in consideration.

In 885, Toka Sinricsdottir arrived in Ravensthorpe to convince Eivor to help aid in the siege of Paris. Unaware that Guthrum had changed his name and was comfortably ruling East Anglia as per the terms of his surrender to Alfred the Great, Toka claimed that she sought Guthrum's help, immediately arousing both Eivor and Randvi's suspicions regarding the true purpose for her visit.

Four years later, Æthelstan encountered Eivor in Northwic, who had come to visit. Æthelstan told Eivor of his Christianization and the treaty, even offering to share the faith with the jarlskona. Eivor refused, however, stating that she only arrived to bid farewell. The two shared one last moment together before Eivor left for Vinland.

Personality and traits

Despite being a mighty conqueror, having great strategic abilities as well as being a feared Viking leader, Guthrum had long grown disillusioned with the countless deaths he has come across in his conquests, from allies as well as enemies. Despite this, he still kept his nihilistic feelings to himself in order to remain in strong terms with his people. ^{[citation needed]}

When advising Eivor, Guthrum showed his preference for using strategies which mitigate the lives lost in his conquests on both sides. This may have been inspired by his disillusionment of his conquests. He was deeply affected when his men died by Fulke's men and even expressed grief at Soma's death. ^{[citation needed]}

After the Battle of Chippenham, Guthrum confessed his disillusionment to Eivor, who herself had started to grow disillusioned by the cause she was fighting for as well. He secretly confessed to her that he held great respect for Alfred the Great's inner strength which was fueled by his strict faith in God. And this in turn was inspiring his interest in Christianity. ^{[citation needed]}

Behind the scenes

Guthrum is a historical character first introduced in the 2020 Echoes of History podcast episodes on Vikings, though his voice actor is uncredited. He later featured in the 2020 video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where he was voiced by Norwegian actor Erik Madsen.

Gallery

Guthrum and Soma met with Eivor to discuss the siege of Chippenham

Guthrum confiding in Eivor as he questioned the cause he was fighting for

Appearances

• Echoes of History (voice only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
  • The Siege of Paris (mentioned only)
  • The Last Chapter
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga
• Discovery Tour: Viking Age
• The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)