Unmasking the Enigmatic Saxons in The Winter King Season 1: Unveiling their True History & Role as Arthurian Foes

Summary

The Winter King is a TV show that blends the legend of King Arthur with historical fact, specifically focusing on his battles against Saxon invaders in 5th century Britain.

The show delves into the political climate of Britain during that era, where tensions between rival factions of Christians and Pagans posed a challenge for the country's unification against the Saxons, hindering Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon.

The invasion of the Saxons in Britain had multiple motives, such as the invitation extended by the Romans and their pursuit of more fertile land and abundant crops due to climatic shifts. Although depicted as near-legendary villains in the show, their incursion resulted in a intricate and violent chapter in the history of Britain.

Warning: The following contains major spoilers for episode 1 of The Winter King! The Winter King combines the legend of King Arthur with historical events, specifically the Saxon invasion during Britain's "Dark Ages." There have been numerous interpretations and retellings of the King Arthur story, including the well-known elements such as the Sword in the Stone and the Knights of the Round Table. Both fantasy epics like Excalibur and gritty adaptations like Clive Owen's 2004 King Arthur movie have graced the silver screen. Bernard Cornwell's popular novel trilogy, The Warlord Chronicles, also attempted to merge the Arthurian myth with actual history, and MGM's The Winter King serves as an adaptation of the first novel.

The events of The Winter King take place in 5th century Britain, a time known as the Dark Ages, following the fall of the Roman Empire. This collapse left the people of Britannia vulnerable to invasion from the Angle, Jute, and Saxon tribes. The opening text of the first episode of The Winter King provides further insight into the political climate, detailing the tense relationship between warring Christian and Pagan tribes. These tensions complicate the task of High King Uther Pendragon of Dumnonia (played by Eddie Marsan) in uniting the tribes to confront the Saxons.

Who The Saxons Are In The Winter King & Why They're At War With The Pagans & Christians

The Winter King begins with the aftermath of a fierce battle between the Saxons and the kingdom of Dumnonia. This battle leads to the tragic death of Prince Mordred, the heir to Pendragon. Despite his men's respect and loyalty, Arthur, who is considered Uther's illegitimate son, is blamed for failing to protect his half-brother during the offscreen fight. As a consequence, he is banished from Britain. However, Pendragon realizes that he needs all the help he can get to fend off the invading Saxons.

There are varying accounts regarding the reasons behind the Saxons' arrival in Britain. Some suggest that Saxon mercenaries were invited by the Roman army to aid in repelling invasions from Scotland and Ireland. However, with the Roman legions withdrawing from the island, Britain became an enticing new home for the Saxons. Additionally, climate change played a significant role in their decision to migrate, as flooding in their homeland made them seek out a land less susceptible to flooding. The warm summers in Britain offered better farming conditions and the absence of Roman protection made it an easy target for attacks.

What Derfel Being A Saxon Means For His Character In The Winter King

The initial episode of The Winter King reveals that the nation was engulfed in chaos as a result of continuous conflicts between rival kingdoms. Prior to the arrival of the Romans in Britain, the country was already divided among diverse kingdoms and tribes. However, the departure of the Romans only exacerbated the situation, leading to further clashes between Christians and Pagans. Consequently, it became even more challenging to unite these factions against the Saxons.

Right after Arthur is exiled from Britain, he stumbles upon a fishing village in Dumnonia that has recently fallen victim to a raid. Within the village, he discovers a harrowing sight—a "death pit" brimming with impaled bodies. However, amidst the gruesome scene, he discovers a gravely injured Saxon slave boy named Derfel. Displaying his noble nature, Arthur rescues Derfel and brings him to the skilled hands of Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) for immediate medical attention. The story then fast-forwards eight years, revealing a transformed Derfel (Stuart Campbell), now a vital member of the legendary Avalon itself.

Luckily for Derfel, his ancestry is accepted without question at Avalon, and he is embraced as a member of their community. However, haunting flashbacks of the raid plague him, and he is plagued by visions of the individuals who mercilessly took his mother's life. As the first episode of Winter King draws to a close, Derfel realizes that the mastermind behind the raid was none other than King Gundleus of Siluria (Simon Merrells). Despite undergoing a supposed religious transformation, Gundleus seeks to prove his allegiance to Dumnonia. Although Uther grants him an opportunity, Derfel is likely to seek revenge.

Arthur's Plan To Defeat The Saxons Explained

Prior to being banished, Arthur desperately attempts to convey his strategy for defending against the Saxons to his comrade and Uther's most skilled warrior, Owain (Daniel Ings). Arthur clarifies that the British Celtic realm of Dumnonia, mainly situated in present-day Cornwall in South West England, still maintains control over the entirety of the Isle. Yet, Uther remains dangerously complacent. In order to triumph over the Saxons, Arthur imparts to Owain the crucial need for his father to forge alliances with the Tribe Kings to secure their unwavering support in the forthcoming war. Additionally, Arthur emphasizes the indispensability of Dumnonia holding the fortification, as the presence of any Saxon beyond the boundary of Calleva signifies inevitable defeat.

Of course, Owain firmly believes that the kingdom's prospects of success are greatly diminished without Arthur's presence. Over the course of eight years, Uther's grip on power gradually weakens as he focuses on siring a new heir. When Merlin cradles the newborn Prince Mordred, he is engulfed by a vision of the demise of Britain, convinced that the child is inherently evil and that his ascension as King will signify the downfall of the entire country. Uther's attempt to establish an alliance with Gungleus hints at his willingness to unite the tribes, but without Arthur's assistance, it may already be too late to halt the advance of the Saxons.

The Saxons' Real History & War Outcome Explained

Initially, the Anglo-Saxon groups invading Britain encountered little resistance, but eventually, the Romano-British put up a strong defense. While there is scant evidence to support the existence of King Arthur as a historical figure -- The Winter King is essentially a blend of legend and fragments of truth -- some historians propose that he may have been inspired by Ambrosius Aurelianus, a Romano-British leader who successfully won numerous battles against the invaders. Towards the end of the 5th Century (or the beginning of the 6th), the Britons engaged in a brutal conflict with the Saxons known as the Battle of Badon Hill.

The Britons achieved a significant victory in what is considered one of their final major battles. However, over time, various Anglo-Saxon groups established numerous separate kingdoms. Ultimately, modern-day England traces its roots back to the Anglo-Saxons, and this period, known as the "Dark Age," holds the majority of the legendary tales of King Arthur. The history behind these stories is much more violent and intricate than the legends suggest, devoid of any magic. Nevertheless, "The Winter King" strives to intertwine myth and reality. Currently, the series portrays the Saxons as almost mythical figures, like scary creatures that haunt children's nightmares.