| “ | Gods, I beg you to revenge my family. You are more powerful than the three Women of the Woods. Show me your power. Varus, and all who ride under his flag shall shed their blood on our soil. Their guts and entrails shall fertilize our fields, and their skulls will hang from our branches. For this, I will sacrifice what's most precious to me. My firstborn. | ” |
| — Folkwin preying to the gods[src] | ||
Folkwin Wolfspeer is a main character on the Netflix original series Barbarians. He is portrayed by David Schütter.
Folkwin is a Germanic swordsman and sword-bearer from Cherusci with great ambition. After Thusnelda's younger brother, Ansgar, is nearly killed by the Romans, the two enlist in Hanno and Eigil's help to invade the Romans' camp and steal their eagle, which ultimately results in the execution of Folkwin's family.[1] With a Rome issued bounty on his head, Folkwin is forced to go into hiding, during which time he looks to the Bructeri tribe for refuge and assistance in over throwing Rome. He is eventually tracked down by Arminius, who spares him given their past.[2]
With help from Thusnelda and the tribes, the three of them plot a rebellion, which unfortunately for Folkwin, consisted of Thusnelda marrying Ari in order to gain the tribes' trust. The thought of the two of them together caused Folkwin to spiral, eventually resulting in his capture and enslavement by Rome. There, he met an ally, Raskild.[3] Folkwin remained a prisoner for weeks until Thusnelda and Ari enacted their plan to attack the three legions while they were divided in the forest. A battle ensued, allowing Folkwin and Raskild to escape. Although he was free and they had defeated Rome, Folkwin would come to learn that Thusnelda and Ari were together. And so, he parted ways with them both.[4]
Early Life[]
Folkwin grew up alongside his little brother, Vegis. The two were raised by their parents, Wiborg, a brewer, and Ida, a noblewoman. Folkwin was especially close to Thusnelda and Arminius during his adolescence. The trio made a pact one day after Ari was nearly killed by a wolf and each hold close to them a single tooth extracted from the wolf that Folkwin wears as a necklace.[1]
Throughout the Series[]
Season 1[]
Stealing Rome's Standard[]
Folkwin attends the meeting with the other tribes after Rome informed them that they are to pay tribute. He notices Thusnelda spying on them and chases her down. She accuses them of being cowardly. Thusnelda reminds Folkwin of the oath they made and looks to his necklace of a leather bound tooth. After having sex in the woods, she informs Folkwin that she’s been promised to another man: Reik Hadgan. Folkwin proposes they run away together, but in doing so, they would be banished, and Thusnelda doesn’t want that for either of them.
Folkwin is awakened from his sleep by his little brother, Vegis. Folkwin catches him as he attempts to run and jokes that today is the day that he will be sacrificed to the gods. He then promises his brother that no harm will come to him so long as he’s around. Hanno enters and informs Folkwin that they have to gather the tribute. Folkwin refuses as they have so little left. However, his mother, Ida, tells him to give the tribute.
Folkwin and his father, Wiborg, bring their tribute, though Segestes demands more and accuses Wiborg of being a drunk. Folkwin intervenes and reminds Segestes that he is not the reik. The Romans arrive and are unimpressed with the tribe’s tribute. So Metellus sends his men to collect more and asks Segimer to kiss their standard; a golden eagle mounted onto a staff, as a show of loyalty. When Segimer refuses, Segestes kneels down to kiss the standard, but Thusnelda intervenes. This upsets the Romans, so Metellus grabs Thusnelda and drags her by her hair. Folkwin tries to intervene but is restrained. So Ansgar comes to her rescue. He bites Metellus’ arm and is hits him over the head with the handle of his sword. In fear of what may occur next, Segimer bows down to Rome and kisses the standard.
Thusnelda informs Folkwin of her meeting with Runa, though he doesn’t believe in the gods sending signs nor oracles for that matter. The two agree that waiting for a sign is senseless, so they plot to capture the Roman’s standard. Then everyone will see that Rome isn’t invincible and that Folkwin isn't just a swordsman. They devise a plan to invade the Roman fort along with Hanno and Eigil. Thusnelda and Folkwin enter through the front barrier while posing as a noble with a sex slave for Centurion Metellus. They proceed further into the camp and kill the two soldiers guarding the standard. They recover the eagle and reconvene with Hanno and Eigil and hide the eagle in a container. While the Romans secure the camp, the four of them set the tent a blaze and walk right through the unmanned front barrier of the camp with the standard.
Folkwin, Thusnelda, Hanno, and Eigil return to Cherusci with the eagle. The entire tribe bares witness to their return and cheers them on. Folkwin hops down from the horse and hands Segimer the standard, who screams in triumph. After having sex, Thusnelda and Folkwin wash each other clean. Unfortunately, they are interrupted by the arrival of Romans. So the tribe flees behind Segimer’s gates with the standard.[5]
Crucifed by Varus[]
Many years ago, when Folkwin and Thusnelda saved Arminius as he was being attacked by a wolf. Afterward, they each extracted a tooth from the dead wolf and made a pact: "Woden, bear witness to our pact of allegiance. We are one and one are we. Your enemy is my enemy. And my enemy is your enemy." Their pact is interrupted by a group of Romans. The three of them take off into the woods and retreat back to the village, where Reik Segimer had agreed to give up both Arminius and his youngest son to the Romans in exchange for peace. This was the last time they saw Ari.
Folkwin and Thusnelda reunite with Arminius for the first time since he was taken away from Cherusci. He admits that he knows they stole the eagle and provides Thusnelda’s necklace as proof. Arminius warns them of the power of Rome and how they will be killed if they don’t submit. He asks for the eagle back and agrees to part ways. Thusnelda always knew that one day Arminius would return, but she doesn’t recognize the man he's become.
Folkwin intervenes in Arminius and Berulf battle to the death and knocks Berulf unconscious. Berulf awakens and demands that Arminius face him. When Folkwin tries to intervene again, Berulf punches him in the face. While they're distracted, Arminius sneaks out back with the eagle. After failing to stop him with a spear, Folkwin chases Arminius down on foot. It doesn’t take long for him to catch up to Arminius and demand the eagle back, but Arminius refuses. When Folkwin attempts to reclaim the eagle, Arminius hits him across the face with the sack, knocking Folkwin unconscious.
Folkwin awakens in the woods and returns to the village, where Thusnelda warns him against proceeding any further into Cherusci. But proceeds and finds that his entire family has been crucified. Thusnelda tells him to leave as his life is in danger. Folkwin refuses to allow his family to hang. He wishes to take them down first. Berulf tells him that he and the other guys will follow him wherever he goes. As Folkwin attempts to take his family down, Berulf hits him over the head and carries him out of the village for his own safety.[1]
Retreating to the Dark Land[]
Berulf urges Folkwin to search for allies so they may get revenge on Rome. The Bructeri have always hated the Romans, but that hatred has grown since they beheaded his uncle, Gernot Redbeard. He was their former reik. Gernot’s heir is Berulf's mother’s cousin. Berulf’s father is Cherusci while his mother is Bructeran. They suddenly find themselves surrounded by the Bructeri.
Kunolf the Brukteer has heard the tale of how Folkwin stoke the Roman’s eagle and wishes to hear the story from Folkwin himself. So Kunolf offers them a place to stay with the Bructeri. Berulf tells the story of how Folkwin, Thusnelda, Hanno, and Eigil captured the eagle as if he was there. Golmad asks about Thusnelda, who’s said to be a warrior. Berulf claims that Thusnelda is not only a warrior but also a seer. Kunolf then tells Folkwin that he’s welcome to stay for as long as he’d like. Folkwin replies that he’s only come to acquire allies and leads them into battle, which Kunolf is in agreement with.
Folkwin lies awake at night. He hears the doors creaking and awakens the others. They all turn their attention towards the door only for a goat to walk in. The Bructeri woman who they are laying with suddenly begin killing them, forcing Folkwin and his men to flee out the back door as the Bructeri attack, having sold them out for the reward offered for Folkwin’s head. Berulf blocks the door with his body whilst the others escape. Unfortunately, he is stabbed in the chest and killed by Kunolf.
Folkwin reaches the Dark Land. Luco warns him that no mortal has ever gone in and come back out. It is supposedly the land of the undead. Folkwin begs the gods to avenge his family: "Gods, I beg you to revenge my family. You are more powerful than the three Women of the Woods. Show me your power. Varus, and all who ride under his flag shall shed their blood on our soil. Their guts and entrails shall fertilize our fields, and their skulls will hang from our branches. For this, I will sacrifice what's most precious to me. My firstborn."
Later that night, Folkwin, Hanno, and Eigil gather around a fire. Suddenly, a spear pierces Hanno’s throat. The Romans have found them and a fight ensues. Folkwin is the last man standing is his crew after Hanno is killed as well. Metellus holds him at knifepoint and hands his sword over to Arminius to finish the job. Rather than beheading Folkwin, Arminius kills Metellus instead.[2]
Aligning with the Bructeri[]
Arminius asks why Folkwin stopped the duel between him and Berulf. This is the reason Arminius didn’t have it in him to kill Folkwin. Arminius then cauterizes Folkwin’s wound. Thusnelda arrives shortly after, and Folkwin reveals that Arminius saved his life. Arminius explains that nothing has changed; he was merely repaying a debt, but Thusnelda and Folkwin try to convince Arminius to join them. He insists that he belongs to Rome. He encourages them to find some place safe and never return. As for Arminius, he cannot return without Folkwin’s head on a pike, so he substitutes Folkwin’s head with Eigil’s as all barbarians look alike to Varus.
Thusnelda wants to seek out Marsi for help, but Folkwin is convinced that the Bructeri is their only option despite the fact that they tried to sell his head to the Romans. Folkwin remarks that the Bructeri only believe in gold and god, both of which they have plenty of — gold from the dead Romans he and Arminius killed and gods in the form of Thusnelda, who rumor has it, is a seer.
Folkwin and Thusnelda arrive in Bructeri and meet with Kunolf and Golmad as a storm approaches. Folkwin argues they should come together to overthrow Rome. Kunolf isn’t interested in Varus and seeks to claim Folkwin's bounty. Thusnelda demands that they stop, claiming that she’s a seer and that the storm is the gods’ wrath. Kunolf isn’t convinced that she’s a seer and grabs Thusnelda by the hair. So Folkwin stabs Kunolf with a spear and kills him. Thusnelda claims that Kunolf brought the wrath of the gods onto them, causing them to betray their family and guests. For that, Thusnelda claims that Donar, the god, demands a sacrifice. She cuts out Kunolf’s heart. She adds that she’s seen them all in her dreams and proceeds to put the mark of Donar on Folkwin and Golmad’s foreheads with Kunolf’s blood. With this, they win over the trust of the Bructeri.
Folkwin and Thusnelda plot with Golmad and the Bructeri. Golmad reveals that all they have is a few hundred warriors to offer. The two of them then meet with Arminius. He’s ready to fight side-by-side with them. Rome is both of their enemies. Thusnelda and Folkwin were planning to attack an outpost, but Arminius intends to attack the three legions. But for that to work, the tribes must unite. Admittedly, the tribes don’t trust Arminius as they see him as a Roman. However, they do trust Thusnelda. Many admire her as a warrior, so Arminius proposes that the two of them wed. Folkwin is enraged by the notion and attacks Arminius.[6]
Enslaved by Rome[]
Although Folkwin is not favorable towards the idea, he does agree that this may be their only chance of uniting the tribes. Arminius reminds Folkwin that he can’t come to Cherusci as they must maintain the ruse that he’s dead. He later watches from the woods as Thusnelda and Arminius are married.
Folkwin gets drunk in the woods while the Cherusci celebrate. Unfortunately for him, he crosses paths with a group of Romans leading slaves to camp. A fight ensues, and Folkwin is beaten senseless.
Folkwin awakens in a prison cell at the Romans’ camp with the rest of the captured slaves. There, he meets a girl named Raskild from the tribe of the Marcomanni. She reveals how he drunkenly attacked a group of Roman soldiers the night before. Another slave tried to escape during the fight. He was killed and thrown into the fire. And they took Folkwin in his place. Given the fact that he is supposed to be dead, Folkwin claims his name is Berulf, having assumed his fallen friend’s identity. Folkwin then sees Arminius and Thusnelda in camp, but they don’t notice him.
Folkwin and Raskild witness as one of the slave girls are pulled from the cell. Folkwin attempts to intervene, attacking one of the soldiers. For this, he is punished. They bind his hands and publicly whip him.
Folkwin asks Raskild to distract the guard. Free from the watchful eye, Folkwin calls over a merchant and asks her to deliver a message to Thusnelda. He asks that she tell Thusnelda that she saw an old friend from the dye hut in the Roman camp.[3]
The Battle of Teutoburg Forest[]
After weeks as a slave of Rome, Arminius discovers that Folkwin is still alive. He approaches the cage and tells Folkwin that they thought he was dead. Folkwin doesn’t care. He just wants out, and he’s bringing Raskild with him. Arminius urges him to remain patient as they’re planning the attack.
The three legions of Rome are led into an ambush orchestrated by Arminius and Thusnelda. With the Romans under attack, Folkwin manages to kill one of the guards, allowing for him and Raskild to escape their shackles. Folkwin then notices Ansgar standing in the middle of the battlefield and guides him to safety. Arminius rushes to Folkwin’s aid as he is under attack, but he is disarmed in the battle. Suddenly, it starts to rain and Folkwin retrieves the standard.
After defeating the Romans, Folkwin reunites with Thusnelda after believing he was dead for so long. She tells him things are different now. She’s with Arminius and intends to rule with him.
Arminius asks Folkwin to share in the spoils as he deserves it more than anyone. Folkwin is the only person he can trust, so if he does become king, he wants Folkwin to be his first lord. Folkwin retorts that he’ll be the first to kill Arminius if he rules.[4]
Kill Count[]
- Roman Soldiers — Folkwin has killed Roman soldiers on various occasions, including when he and Thusnelda invaded the Romans' camp to steal the eagle, during the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, and when Arminius led a group of soldier into the Dark Land.
- Bructeri Warriors — After being forced out of his home due to an outstanding bounty issued by Varus, Folkwin retreated to Bructeri with Berulf, who had family among the tribe. Unfortunately, the Bructeri were more interested in collecting the bounty than helping a fellow brother, so they attacked, forcing Folkwin to kill several of them.
- Kunolf the Brukteer — Despite previously being attacked by Kunolf and his people, Folkwin returned with Thusnelda in hopes of convincing the Bructeri to assist them in over throwing Rome. When he refused Folkwin's proposition and grabbed Thusnelda, Folkwin drove a spear through his chest.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Trivia[]
- Folkwin is not a historical figure. He was created specifically for the series.
Gallery[]
