was father beocca a real person was father beocca a real person

Around AD 920, Ragnall is believed to have reached some form of agreement with Edward the Elder, though its not clear if that extended to accepting overlordship. Dreymon said Beocca was the only one who had been there for Uhtred throughout his entire journey. Young Ragnar, son of Ragnar the Fearless, returns from Ireland one of the many shores aside from England that the Vikings sailed to to confirm for himself that Uhtred didn't kill their father. When he leaves to seek revenge on Kjartan, Brida departs with him. Uhtred's cousin ended up shooting an arrow and Beocca jumped into the firing line in order to save Uhtred's son - young Uhtred (Finn Elliot). Securing the fealty of the Danes of York would have been thelflds ultimate achievement, writes Janina Ramirez. A Saxon fort would have definitely been around at the time of King Alfred the Great and ties in with Uhtreds Bebbanburg Castle. During the start of The Last Kingdom series, its controlled by Ealdorman Uhtred. The easiest way to travel to Bamburgh is by car. Edward rules in Wessex, battered from all sides by advisors and trying to step out of Alfred the Greats shadow (or perhaps live up to it), but thats no lingering concern of Uhtred. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Last Kingdom: Who did Eliza Butterworth enjoy filming with most. Though long-dead in real history, the Aelswith of The Last Kingdom has to deal with her diminishing role at court leading to a momentous decision to retrieve Edwards son from his first marriage (which both took place and was annulled off screen in season three) from a convent. Beocca, Ethor, and ninety monks died in Surrey. YES, Arselings! Well, after losing David Dawson, it was like, "Not Ian Hart too!" He, just like David, is one of the cornerstones of the show and he's such a . Yay! hitType: 'event', Also many of the battles that take place in the series are real (i.e. Hi Jacob! } Meanwhile in Wessex, the divisions between Edward and his queen, lflead, seem deeper than ever. Last Kingdom cast: How old is Ruby Hartley? More info. Destiny is All." Its a must for any Last Kingdom fan. I have spoken," while another wrote: "Is #TheLastKingdom better than #GameofThrones?? to make fkn art like this. Click here for my complete guide to taking a boat trip to see the Farne Islands. Third Eye Traveller participates in various affiliate marketing programs. The fresh set of ten episodes includes all the medieval scheming and Viking carnage fans have come to expect from the historical series, as well as the return of more than a few familiar faces. The castle, as it is today, also was not featured. Heres a complete guide to Bamburgh in Northumberland for Last Kingdom fans. Last Kingdom: What did Bernard Cornwell think of the series? You really cant understand the storyline without the backstory of Uhtreds home and how this all came about. There were plenty of tears following Beocca's death so early on in the series, but executive producer Nigel Marchant said it needed to happen. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. This show is definitely on par with GoT, even George R.R. gads_event = event; The History of Lindisfarne Mead & Amazing Reasons to Visit St Aidans Winery on Holy Island, Northumberland! Well, Last Kingdom Fans will be pleased to know you can actually visit Uhtreds Bebbanburg in the UK! thelflds death and the question of the Mercian succession is one of the major crises of this season, and though the outcome in both the show and real history are the same, the journey there is quite different. He is loosely based on Ragnall ua mair, who was king of Northumbria and the Isle of Man in the early 10th century. This is when Lord Armstrong bought the property in 1894 and transformed it into a family home. Uhhttttttttt tttredddd!!!!! If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Ragnall died in AD 920 or 921. One such entity is the spirited Northumbrian priest, Father Beocca, one of Uhtred's oldest friends and mentors, and the man with the unenviable task of saving the young lordling's heathen soul.. Uhtred and Alfred clash frequently through the rest of the series over loyalty and religion, but where Alfred is forced to admit Uhtred's usefulness is when the would-be Lord of Bebbanburg helps Alfred escape into the Somerset Marshes where he famously burns the cakes in the wake of the Danish invasion of Wessex in 878, and then at the battle of Edington in which the Saxons inflict a crushing defeat on the Northmen. He was the priest and teacher of Uhtred of Bebbanburg during the latter's childhood, forming a lifelong friendship which saw Beocca get Uhtred out of trouble (especially with Alfred) on several occasions. 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Alex Murdaugh's son Buster 'collapsed' outside court after dad was convicted of double murder. While Uhtred was away from his lands, Sweyn's son, Cnut, invaded Yorkshire. } Although the Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria has long since fallen, you can find Uhtreds precious Bebbanburg in the county of Northumberland in England today. The Last Kingdom: 10 Worst Things Aelswith Did - Screen Rant One such entity is the spirited Northumbrian priest, Father Beocca, one of Uhtred's oldest friends and mentors, and the man with the unenviable task of saving the young lordling's heathen soul. There are 13 novels in Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom series. Learning Resources - Free printable resources for schools, parishes, and more. The Last Kingdom: Was the series actually filmed at Bamburgh? Ian Hart - Wikipedia But, if youve never heard of it, Ill briefly summarise. What starts out as a tale of straightforward revenge reclaiming his ancestral home in Northumbria from his usurping uncle and avenging the murder of his adoptive Viking father rapidly extends into a history-adjacent Vikings versus Anglo-Saxons epic, as Uhtred finds himself in the Kingdom of Wessex, where Alfred the Great has dreams of expelling the northmen from all the realms of 'England' and creating a single nation, something that wouldn't be achieved until the reign of his grandson. Bebbanburg is then controlled by his Uncle who becomes the new Ealdorman. However, he promised to join Uhtred at Bebbanburg once the hard work was done. He lands in Wales, routs King Hywel, rescues Brida, leads a warband to Wessex and ahistorically seizes Winchester left undefended while Edward interfered in the Mercian succession. Fans are also worried one of Uhtred's best friends may get killed off in the next season. Although Uhtred is a fictional protagonist in The Last Kingdom, there was in fact a real Uhtred of Bebbanburg during Saxon England. . It wasnt to be, as the real thelfld died before that promise could be made into reality. "Its grown over the years. A martyr of EngIand, with Ethor, lledda,Torthred, and others.The Danes raided England, concentrating on Anglo-Saxon abbeys. Click here to read my complete guide for visiting Holy Island! From Bamburgh beach, you can get a really good look at the castle and its dramatic position on the coastline. Another fan said: "Damn I felt something when Father Beocca died in The Last Kingdom.". }) reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. They then rebuilt what Bamburgh Castle would have looked like as a Saxon Fort over in Hungary to film the TV Show! Plus, he became the most trusted warrior for King Ethelred The Unready. The Last Kingdom season four is on Netflix now, but one of the most popular characters will not be featuring in season five. Last Kingdom: Uhtred and Beocca loved each other, Last Kingdom: Fans loved the relationship between Beocca and Uhtred. Later, Aethelwold murders Ragnar in his bed preventing him from reaching his sword and denying him entry to Valhalla. Fans have pointed out the Uhtred in the series is entirely fictional, so his story is likely to deviate from real history. There is Father Beocca in "The Last Kingdom." He may be fictionalized, but there was a real Father Beocca who truly was the spiritual mentor to Alfred the Great, who died a martyr's death, and was made a saint of the Church. Hedda and others died at Peterborough, and Torthred and others died at Thorrey Abbey. ", READ MORE:Last Kingdom: Who is dating who? Plus, some pay & display beach car parks at either end of Bamburgh Beach. }); Thanks, Sophie x. Obrigada por compartilhar seu conhecimento! Last Kingdom: Ian Hart left the series as Beocca, Last Kingdom: Beocca died after sacrificing himself. He takes Aethelflaed to war against Danish brothers Siegfried and Erik (both fictional antagonists) and their underling Haesten (who did exist), where she is captured and held for ransom, setting up the season's climactic battle at Benfleet in 893 and Odda the Elder's suicide in lieu of certain execution for treason. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), }); Actor: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The Last Kingdom begins in 866, the year that Vikings first seized control of York. Last Kingdom explained: Did Uhtred really go to Bamburgh Castle? If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Edward the Elder still sits upon the throne of Wessex, thelfld still rules as the Lady of Mercia. pg.acq.push(function() { One fan compared his death to Ragnar's, another towering influence on Uhtred, writing, "May you R.I.P fatha Beocca & Ragnar. "That is then folded in with Uhtred's impetuousness in feeling that this is the right moment to retake Bebbanburg, without fully realising the repercussions. The whole area will take you right back and through the chapters of the Saxon Stories. If Lady Aelswith hadn't riled him up, he would still be safe, writing his saint memoirs. The boy is revealed to be Aethelstan, the future first king of the English. The show is an adaption of Bernard Cornwells best-selling series of historical novels known as "The Saxon Stories." Thank you for this well-written resource!! But, that doesnt mean he is always loyal. Press J to jump to the feed. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. Though he didn't when we might expect: "This Uhtred was not a contemporary of Alfred the Great and his descendants in the 9th and 10th centuries, but can be found in the early 11th century," Lavelle adds. He was born of an ancient family who were the Ealdorman of Bamburgh and ruled on the Northumberland Coast. Uhtred proves instrumental at the battle of Cynwit in Devon in 878 one of the five most important lost battles of the Viking age, writes Thomas Williams, who describes it as one of the great military reversals of the early Middle Ages, prior to which he kills Ubba in single combat. There are a number of free parking spaces located on the roadsides of the village. The Last Kingdom is a popular Netflix series based on The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. Although the streaming series has taken increasing liberties with its source material, most of The Last Kingdom's most memorable characters are ripped straight from the pages of Cornwell's books. Out of all of Hart's film credits over the past three decades, perhaps his most memorable was his turn in Christopher Columbus' 2001 adaptation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the massively successful YA book by author J.K. Rowling. Make sure you read the tide times before you visit. The Last Kingdom: Notable Figures In Real Life Pt. 2 ", But other fans, especially the ones who had seen the first three episodes, were to busy mourning the loss of another father figure in Uhtred's (Alexander Dreymon) life. Haesten is revealed to be a spy for Alfred and alerts the king to the Danish threat. Catholic Online YouTube - over 4,800 Catholic videos. Last Kingdom explained: Was Cnut based on a real person. St. Beocca - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Aethelred I rules, but by the middle of the season he has been mortally wounded, and on his deathbed passes the crown to his brother, Alfred overlooking Aethelwold, his own son, portrayed as a drunkard who believes the crown should have been his by default. Last Kingdom season 5: Will Finan take on MAJOR role in new series? fkn stellar. His name was 'Uhtred the Bold' and he ended up becoming an Ealdorman of all Northumbria! I love writing about the weird, wonderful, bookish, magical, and historical on my blog. y'all are the ones that kept Uhtred head on right. increasingly common through the Viking world, the year that Vikings first seized control of York, Ubba, one of the fabled sons of legendary Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok, The real Edmund was tied to a tree, beaten and then murdered with a volley of arrows,, one of the many shores aside from England that the Vikings sailed to, writes early medieval historian Professor Ryan Lavelle, secured [Aethelflaeds] image as victorious warrior queen. Right now, its thelfld who holds Uhtreds oath (not to mention his heart). Rgnvaldrs ultimate fate in the show is unknown. You can unsubscribe at any time. The wonder with which. He stumbled into acting almost accidentally, but was cast in the play "The Government Inspector". Hedda and others died at Peterborough, and Torthred and others died at Thorrey Abbey. In fact, you can see them from Bebbanburg or Bamburgh Coast! Inevitably, all roads lead to where the series began: the Northumberland fortress of Bebbanburg, where Uhtred will finally face down his usurping cousin Whitgar. }); The fans of 'The Last Kingdom' are united (even if England still isn't on the show) about getting more people, especially 'Game of Thrones' fans, addicted to this epic show just like they are. Father Benedict (season 5) FICTIONAL. The Saxon Stories are inspired by and mention true events, however most of the overarching plot is fictional. Viewers are wondering. DON'T MISSLast Kingdom season 5: Who plays Ecgwynn? Please read our, The Last Kingdom season 5: real history and historical accuracy, Vikings in Britain are settlers, lords and kings, wouldn't be achieved until the reign of his grandson. }); He also leaves Wessex, stopping first at Mercia, where he sows the seeds of betrayal for Aethelflaed, and the at Bloodhair's camp, where he argues that the Danes should form a single great army to crush Wessex. However, if there is one cause that he is always loyal to throughout the series, its trying to get his birthright of Bebbanburg back! When the Vikings arrive, his father, Lord Uhtred, rides out to give battle and is predictably slain; the boy Uhtred is captured. Its another black mark in a long line of character flaws in this depiction of the Mercian ruler, who is by turns capricious, adulterous and cruel. In The Last Kingdom, his grandfather thelhelm is devoted to making sure lfweard become king of Wessex. After Luck petered out, Hart stuck around HBO to do a four-episode arc as Ethan Thompson on the prohibition drama Boardwalk Empire. They took to Reddit to discuss, with shacobythetoe42 saying: "Historically speaking, Cnut (Magnus Bruun) kills Uhtred. All we know of thelhelm is that he was an ealdorman, possibly of Wiltshire. Potentially, Alfred was doing the same as the Vikings did with puppet. Both are believed to belong to the U mair, a dynasty that ruled much of the Irish sea region which is theorised to be descended from Ivar the Boneless, himself believed to be one of the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Father Beocca had helped raise Uhtred after his father was killed in battle, and the pair remained friends ever since. I mentioned it another thread, because I just realized it before the third season started, and was blown away, and nobody else seemed to know it either. His final resting place! In 866, he rebaptized Osbert as "Uhtred" after his older brother Uhtred was beheaded by invading Vikings, making him the official heir to Bebbanburg. Was father Beocca a real person? Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ In the books, there is lots more of Uthreds story to tell beyond Last Kingdom series 5. Thank you and your sponsors for helping me map out my North Country Walk-Abouts. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), [Alfred] can never have expected to be king, as the youngest of five brothers, but all of them died young, writes Michael Wood. [INSIGHT]Last Kingdom: Will Aelswith be reunited with Aethelstan? In the show, Aethelflaed doesnt stand alone: she has the support of the Welsh (making their first appearance in The Last Kingdom), and late in the battle both Aethelred and Edward arrive to turn the tide. Outmanoeuvred, Uhtred and co escape, but not without the death of Father Beocca, his close confidante and effective father figure. eventAction: 'click_adunit' -ooOoo- Beocca (seasons 1 - 4) FICTIONAL. Though in the show it is dealt with in the immediate aftermath of Alfreds death in 899, the actual battle took place at unidentified location suspected to be Holme in East Anglia in 902, after a three-year insurrection in which Aethelwold had moderate success. However, it wont look exactly the same as it does in The Last Kingdom. It is known that lfwynn was conveyed into Wessex, but after that nothing can be said of her life with certainty. the writing on this show solidifies why i want to be a showrunner one day. He was in love with Aethelflaed (Millie Brady), Lady of Mercia, but his best friends are Danes who are trying to claim Saxon lands. eventAction: 'view' The real Vikings on which Sigtryggr and Rgnvaldr are based Sitric Cech and Ragnall are not considered to be brothers, but they may have been kin. ", Another fan quoted Uhtred from the show to show how big a loss Father Beocca's death was, tweeting: "I was moved that time when Uthred and Finan console each other upon losing Fr. ga('ads.send', { OMG Mindblown. Bamburgh Castle has undergone many transformations over the centuries and has even been involved in famous battles like the War of the Roses! 1 "My Journey Continues, My Path Leads North to Blood Fields. After Dirt, Hart went on to play Tony Conroy on the miniseries Father & Son. This makes Osbert the new Uhtred and he is baptised again and given the new name, Uhtred son of Uhtred. We definitely feel the void now that he's gone. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of criminally underrated. In 867, he attended a meeting with the Vikings to ransom Uhtred, and Beocca quietly warned Uhtred that he could not return to Bebbanburg, as his uncle Alferic would have him killed in order to become a King of Northumbria. When he wasn't busy playing Lennon, Hart spent the intervening years accruing an obscene amount of film credits. The real Edmund was tied to a tree, beaten and then murdered with a volley of arrows, writes ecclesiastical historian Emma J Wells which is pretty much what happens here, except it plays out in a church. Indeed, in this season, Uhtred lost his last father figure and will now have to become a father figure himself to Aelesthan, the first king of united England. He is Professor Quirell. One fan urged others to get to binge the show like he had, saying: "For all those who haven't watched the #TheLastKingdom but you love historical drama shows, then this show is a must-watch. But, ends up landing in the court of King Alfred and becomes a warrior for him. Although most tourists visiting Northumberland make a beeline for the castle and then leave, I would highly recommend sticking around and exploring what this quaint village has to offer! Last Kingdom: Why did Ian Hart leave the series as Beocca? First thelhelm bribes the regions ealdormen [high-ranking nobles] to name his grandson lfweard as thelflds successor only for Edward the Elder to have the ealdormen murdered in the street and claim Mercia for himself. It can be quite hard work to make your way over the dunes and onto the beach but it is so worth the effort! Last Kingdom explained: Was Uhtred Ragnarsson supposed to die? Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. hitType: 'event', . While Beocca was presiding over the funeral, his wife was killed by Aethelwold Aetheling's henchman Tidmanin a xenophobic attack which resulted in the burning down of Beocca's home. Beocca befriended Young Uhtred, convincing him that his uncle Aelfric had sold a young Christian boy in exchange for wooden walls, and that Uhtred was avenging a great wrong done to him. Uhtred of Bebbanburg is back in action in season 4 of Netflix's The Last Kingdom, finally released to streaming April 26, 2020. Uhtred of Bebbanburg is the main character in The Last Kingdom, and his loyalty is torn between the Saxons and Danes. The Last Kingdom is now in its fourth series on Netflix and Uhtred (played by Alexander Dreymon) is still attempting to claim back his settlement Bebbanburg. Although Bamburgh is famous for its castle, its also known for the RNLI Grace Darling Museum. As a tidal island, you must drive over a causeway at low tide to get there. So, well have to wait (impatiently) for that :), How to visit Blast Beach, Last Kingdom filming location, Harry Potter film locations at Alnwick Castle, Visiting the only poison garden in the world, How to do the Steel Rigg to Sycamore Gap walk on Hadrians Wall, Visit the magical Barter Books in Alnwick, Why you must visit Bamburgh Castle at Christmas. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. All four previous seasons are available to watch on the streaming platform. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. [INSIGHT]Last Kingdom season 5: Will Eadith become Uhtred's next love interest? Me and my SO watch a lot of British TV and we are convinced there are only like 30 actors in the whole country, lol. Last Kingdom: Was Skade different in the Bernard Cornwell books? Thank you. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); He soon fell in love with Uhtred's adoptive sister Thyra Ragnarsdottir, whom he had consoled after her rescue from Kjartan, and they decided to marry in 884. The first came a few months after Backbeat, when Hart returned to play the Beatle in the video short Backbeat Band: Money, Version 2. You could watch a cricket match on the green outside the castle, This is quite popular and anyone is welcome to have a look at whats going on! Last Kingdom season 5: Will Eadith become Uhtred's next love interest? Cornwell told HistoryExtra in 2018 that "The Last Kingdom series is going to end with a real historical event: the battle of Brunanburh in 937. First Narcissa Malfoy is Aunt Pol and now this!!!! eventAction: 'load' But, the story is far from over! The Last Kingdom: Father Beocca is killed in dramatic scene. This makes his only living son and heir, Uhtred, the new Ealdorman of Bebbanburg. That was fun. Cornwell's novels begin under the reign of King Alfred, the only English monarch to earn the cognomen "The Great," and continue through the lives of his descendants, Edward and thelstan (the first historical King of England). We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. Will Ecgwynn actress return? One user stated: "The Last Kingdom > GoT. These are an archipelago of 20 Islands that sit off the coast of Northumberland. It is this revelation that drives the final battle to reclaim Uhtreds home. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. This is also thelflds wish in The Last Kingdom, but it is not to be. Lindisfarne has had a long history and is famous for being the first landings site of the Vikings when they came to raid England! He told Variety: "It was really hard to lose Ian Hart, who is such a fantastic actor, but we've always tried to show that the battles have real consequences. Content from both the books and the TV series are welcome! Beocca, incensed, went into battle alongside Uhtred and his companions in the Battle of the Holme in 902, avenging Thyra's death by assisting in the defeat of the Danish army, which included the death of Aethelwold at Uhtred's hands. Destiny Is All". This season also develops the character of Aethelflaed not yet the Lady of the Mercians, but a young woman and, as a daughter of a king, one ready to be married off in alliance As a wife, thelflds story is all too familiar in terms of royal dynastic marriages, writes Dr Janina Ramirez. First, he is Osbert. So, you can now watch the rest of the story unfold. After Thyra's death, Beocca retired to Hild's nunnery and administered the sacraments to the nuns, and he also began writing the biography of Saint Cuthbert. 10 Things Fans Want To See In The Last Kingdom Season 5 - ScreenRant This echoes a true chapter of history where Uhtred the Bold helped transport the body of St Cuthbert from Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral. Beocca had known Uhtred since birth and he appreciated the struggles he had faced when it came to deciding his allegiance. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Pretty much all of the sets are built from scratch in Hungary and this is where most of the series is filmed as well. At this point in his career, Hart was keeping busy with a recurring role on FX's The Bridge and a part on the TV miniseries The Driver, so he wasn't exactly hurting for work. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' "Uhtred was summoned to a meeting with Cnut, and on the way there, he and 40 of his men were murdered by Thurbrand the Hold, with assistance from Uhtred's own servant, Wighill and with the connivance of Cnut.". At the end of the seasons climactic month-long siege, Uhtred turns negotiator, helping to forge an agreement in which Sigtryggr relinquishes Winchester in favour of York. Things go downhill from there. I watch Father Brown, and Aethelwold actor, Harry McEntire, was a new cop in an episode I had recently watched. I'm glad you liked the Last Kingdom Series! There was also a real thelred, thelfld Lady of Mercia, thelstan, Cnut, Ragnar and many more characters who played a role in Anglo-Saxon history. Why is Edward of Wessex called Edward the Elder? this show fkn inspires me, man. ", Another fan said: "Damn it, you got me The Last Kingdom. The scenes of the castle on the coast is some impressive CGI. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Beocca (died 910) was the Court Chaplain of Wessex from 871 to 899, serving under King Alfred the Great. Last Kingdom: Who is dating who? To do this, he makes a little bit of a shady deal with King Constantine which supersedes King Edwards control over Northumbria. Kev Lochun is Deputy Digital Editor of HistoryExtra.com and previously Deputy Editor of BBC History Revealed. Lmao that's so mean I can't stop laughing. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! After that, he wouldn't return to the role for another 20 years, at which point he was once again cast to appear as Lennon in the 2013 television play Snodgrass, featured during the second season of Playhouse Presents. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://americanhorrorstory.wikia.com/wiki/File:303_Luke_Ramsey2.jpg. In terms of tourist attractions, there is the Bamburgh Lighthouse and also St Aidans Church. The real-life relationships. Last Kingdom: What did Toby Regbo think of Aethelred? },false) Although Bebbanburg in the Saxon Stories is based on Bamburgh in Northumberland. Swedish actor Thomas W Gabrielsson has done a wonderful job of showing how his initial cynicism was replaced by, at first, doubt and then slow-dawning belief in the Saxon god.