Alfred is the Christian king of Wessex who faces overwhelming odds against the invading Danish Vikings. Defeated and driven into hiding, he experiences a moment of despair before a divine vision reinvigorates his spirit. He acts as a unifying figure who gathers men of different backgrounds to defend their shared civilization. He approaches warfare gravely but persistently, fighting with the dedicated focus of a child at play.

Guthrum is the dread king of the invading Danish Vikings. He represents a pagan worldview that contrasts sharply with the Christian civilization of the English. He possesses a pessimistic vision of life, singing songs that reflect his belief that everything ultimately ends in death. Despite his destructive campaign across the land, he carries himself with a dignified restraint compared to his more bloodthirsty earls.

The Mother of God manifests as a divine figure to offer spiritual direction to the defeated king. She does not promise victory or worldly success, but instead warns that the situation will grow darker and the seas will rise higher. She instructs Alfred to cultivate joy without a cause and faith without hope, acting as the primary catalyst for his renewed campaign against the Danes.

Eldred is a physically imposing Saxon chieftain and farmer whose body is described as a walking hill. An experienced warrior who has lost many friends in previous conflicts, he prefers the quiet life of watching his swine and crops grow. Despite his initial weariness of war, he is moved by Alfred's conviction to take up his sword once more.

Mark is a chieftain of Roman descent who traces his lineage back to Julius Caesar. He embodies classical Roman virtues of order, efficiency, and discipline, keeping his estate perfectly maintained. He brings keen strategic and tactical intelligence to Alfred's cause, accurately assessing the geographical requirements for challenging the Danish lines.

Colan is a wild, passionate Celtic chieftain from a Christian family with Irish roots. He retains traces of pre-Christian pagan beliefs in his heart and possesses a combative, emotional temperament. He is easily roused to anger and views warfare as a merry endeavor, responding eagerly to Alfred's promise of a difficult fight against impossible odds.

Harold is a Danish earl and the nephew of King Guthrum. He is a fierce pagan warrior who openly mocks Christianity, claiming it weakens its followers and turns them into women. He is arrogant in battle, quick to string his bow to shoot at his enemies while taunting them for their ragged appearance.

Elf is one of the three prominent Danish earls commanding forces under Guthrum. He is a capable warrior who wields a spear that the Christian soldiers fear, as they believe it possesses magical properties. He is also a singer whose music manages to touch the deeply buried emotions of his fellow raiders.

Ogier is a ruthless Danish earl driven by a pure philosophy of destruction. He firmly believes that hate alone is true and seeks the complete elimination of Christianity and its culture. In battle, he rejoices in the carnage he causes and fights with brutal intensity.

The Old Woman is a peasant who lives a hard, humble life in the woods. Mistaking the disguised King Alfred for a wandering beggar, she offers him food in exchange for watching her baking cakes. When he lets the cakes burn because he is lost in thought, she promptly slaps him, completely unaware of his royal identity.