Aethelred's wife Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) took over as ruler of Mercia, so he had no hope of gaining back honour. Eadith - The Last Kingdom Jade Johnson 705 subscribers Subscribe 1.5K 111K views 2 years ago Season 4 of the last kingdom was amazing! In both cases the decision is presented as that of some form of council. He is a blacksmith who forges Serpent-Breath for Uhtred. @Louisa_Mellor, Louisa Mellor is the Den of Geek UK TV Editor. Throughout the series, he started to lose his mind due to his hunger for power, and everything came to a head when Aethelred died. The Last Kingdom: How will Alexander Dreymon show Uhtred's age? Episode 1 59m Abducted by a Viking warlord after his father is slain in battle, young Uhtred adopts the Norse way of life until tragedy befalls his new family. Little did he know, Eadith saw the whole thing and she decided to cut all ties with her evil brother. Status The Last Kingdom is on Netflix now and season five production has wrapped. Eardwulf (fl. God wants him to right the wrongs done to Mercia. He was a staunch defender of the Papacy, and in the popes and the church hierarchy he had allies whose influence extended to Northumbria and beyond. Eadith asks what has he done. They both planned to conspire against Aethelred and reclaim some power, but Eardwulf found himself in too deep. Eardwulf finds Eadith lying in bed after having sex with the king, who is in a considerably good mood. It was at Tettenhall that Brida killed her partner Cnut, after learning that he had colluded in the murder of her true love Ragnar. He reports that Cnuts army has attacked Mercia. His family will never prosper and his sister will never leave thelred's bed. The Last Kingdom season 5: Will Aethelflaed die? ("Episode 4.5"), Eardwulf and Eadith plan to ingratiate themselves with King Edward. S4, Ep6. He is wounded, unconscious, and the back of his head is split open. He proposes that Eardwulf be that man as opposed to Ludeca. However, Eardwulf refuses to run. Family There is magic in Serpent-Breath, Ealdwulf had his own spells that he would not tell Uhtred, the spells of the smith he said; when he gifts the sword to Uhtred, he whispers, "and one day, you will kill Danes with it.". However, Eardwulf knows how to defeat Edward. That left Uhtred with a new enemy in his cousin, and a new murder to avenge. Edward thanks Eardwulf for his honesty and action on the battlefield. He came from a disgraced noble family of Mercia who lost all of their influence, land, and power. After being tipped off that Winchester was undefended while King Edward was in Aylesbury settling the matter of Mercian succession, Sigtryggrs army and Brida stormed the city. ', Linguist rages in GMB accent row as expert says 'its offensive', The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf was killed off, The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf was an antagonist. Burgred suspects theyre being lied to. Although he had faced considerable opposition and had been driven into exile, he succeeded in founding a dynasty. Theyre only loyal to the leader of Mercia. Eadith has proof off his crime. At that time Leo III ruled over the Roman church, and his messenger, the deacon Ealdwulf from that same Britain, a Saxon by race, was sent to Britain, and with him two abbots, Hruotfrid the notary and Nantharius of St. Omer, sent by the emperor. He may have hoped to restore Osbald to the throne. Hsten explains that he has not been rewarded for his services to the Danish. Finan tells thelstan to run into the trees when the fighting starts and Sihtric hands him a knife. Edward continued to show his ineptitude by nearly losing the Battle of Tettenhall, sending reinforcements before it was almost too late. But Sigtryggr whod fallen in love with Stiorra was able to save her from Bridas blade. His ambassadors, who had travelled on to Ireland and were then returning home, were ordered back to Northumbria to recover the presents. Uhtred then picks up thelreds ring off the ground. The Last Kingdom Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. Photo courtesy of Netflix. Edward orders Cenric to track Uhtred down. (Photographer Adrienn Szabo | Copyright Carnival Film & Television Limited) The intrigue and tension builds up nicely. Eardwulf does as told and takes thelfld to a room. She tells Eardwulf that he doesnt get to decide which Saxons he betrays. Aldhelm (The Last Kingdom) Murder Mystery Inspired by Agatha Christie's Crooked House POV First Person yes Kwenthrith is here yes she is the lesbian aunt When Eadith finds her grandfather dead, she appeals to her old friend and private investigator Osferth for help in finding the murderer. Eadith's character features in five novels from The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, on which the series is based. [50] From this, it is argued that Eardwulf's second reign ended circa 830, rather than in the years soon after 810, and that the reigns of subsequent kings should be re-dated accordingly: Eanred from 830 to 854, thelred II from 854 to 862, Rdwulf in 858, and Osberht from 862 to 867. ("Episode 4.9"), lswith, thelstan, Stiorra, thelhelm, lfld, and lfweard are taken to Brida, Sigtryggr, and Eardwulf. "The Last Kingdom" ("Episode 4.8"), Deheubarth, Wealas; Brida returns to Wealas with Eardwulf and tells Sigtryggr that he will help them take Winchester without a single drop of Danish blood spilled. King Edward was never a wise king especially considering how easily he was manipulated by his father-in-law Lord Aethelhelm, whose only interest was forcing his own family into power as Edwards successor. They kill many men and take thelhelm, lfld, and lfweard captive. He realizes now that bargaining with them was a mistake. Haesten's men tied them upside down from a tree, without realising Eadith was watching them from a distance. She and her brother Eardwulf had been conspiring against Aethelred to overthrow him and take his power for themselves. Osred, who was of Alhred's line, was deposed after a year, and thelred, son of thelwald Moll, who had been deposed in 778 at a young age, was restored to the kingship, resuming the title thelred I. However, they killed him when they learn that he murdered Aethelred. ("Episode 4.3"), King thelred asks for an update on their troops in Lindcylne. Events in southern Britain to 796 have sometimes been portrayed as a struggle between Offa and Charlemagne, but the disparity in their power was enormous, and Offa and then Coenwulf were clearly minor figures by comparison. Alive Eardwulf, whose only chance to inherit the Lordship is to marry thelred's daughter, decides his only hope is to attack Uhtred and kill the Lady thelflaed. 8.4 (2,643) Rate. The Crown Released 3 New Photos Of Season 6's William & Kate, The 'Heartstopper' Cast Revealed Season 2's Release Date With A Behind-The-Scenes Video, Young Mazino Loves That 'BEEF' Is Making People Call Their Brothers, King Charles & Camilla's Scandal-Filled Relationship Started Over 50 Years Ago, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Right when they were finally about to get what they had been working for to begin with. In Season 4, King Edward imprisoned his own wife and mother as well as Uhtred. Bridas anger and belief in the righteous path of Dane might distanced her from Uhtred, whom she saw as her enemy after they fought on opposite sides at the Battle of Tettenhall. Plus King Edward, Queen Aelflaed, their children, Lady Aelswith, Aethelflaed, Aelfwyn, Lord Aldhelm, Aethelstan and Eadith. He wants silver. King thelred is weak and barely conscious. Eardwulf's sister, Eadith, is captured. Eadith was introduced in season four as Aethelred's (Toby Regbo) mistress and she and her brother Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) were trying to claim power for themselves. Meanwhile, Edward had followed in his fathers footsteps by ignoring Uhtreds sage advice, not appreciating his loyaly, refusing to grant him troops to retake his ancestral home of Bebbanburg, and ultimately, giving him a job he didnt ask for. Last Kingdom: Eadith grew attached to Aethelflaed's. Wihtgar shot his father with a crossbow, then turned his bow toward Uhtreds son. In 799, a dux named Moll was killed by Eardwulf's "urgent command". She acted as the mistress of Aethelred (Toby Regbo), and fans are wondering whether she will avenge her brother's death. Cenric reports that Uhtred was seen on the road with a number of children. There is benefit in delaying their return however. This strained relations with the new Archbishop Eanbald IIEanbald I had died in the year of Eardwulf's coronation. Ealdwulf (known asthe Smith in the TV series) is a minor character in The Saxon Stories and The Last Kingdom television series. He doesn't seem to be evil just trying to get back his good name so of course he's going to kill the king (who is literally about to diet) when threatens him and may ruin the plan to have him be the replacement. Warning: contains major spoilers for The Last Kingdom season 4. A cousin, Sigtryggr, is being held captive by the natives. 1. Eardwulf is the leading contender for the Lordship. ("Episode 4.6"), Eardwulf and his guards track Uhtred and his men down. Eardwulf suggests they leave quietly, before the Ealdorman can disapprove. The Witan, although not explicitly, is convening to decide the fate of the Kingdom after the Lord has died. "Episode 1.2" Uhtred offered himself in the boys place, and Sigtryggr agreed to the swap. Deceased DON'T MISSThe Last Kingdom: Is Bebbanburg a real place? By the end of Season 4, childhood friends and former lovers Brida (Emily Cox) and Uhtred were sworn enemies, mostly because Brida wouldnt turn her back on the Danish supremacy or give up her hatred of Saxons. Eardwulf agrees that they shouldnt, claiming he did all he could to convince the king to return sooner. Lord thelhelm chooses to yield, and Sigtryggr orders his men to kill the Wessex Guards regardless. Fama is the social currency of the time period, and a lot of that, especially as feudalism and the beginnings of the chivalric system** slowly were taking root, is based on one's loyalty and service to one's lord. [11] It is clear that Mercian and Frankish interests could not always be reconciled and Frankish policy then moved towards support for Offa's opponents. He asks why have the Ealdormen circled around him. Howeverm when she realised. They said: "Reputation and honor are a huge thing. He left them to face the Danes alone. [41], As the case of lfwald shows, while the written sources for later Northumbria are few and often written down centuries after the events they describe, archaeological evidence from coinage is independent of the surviving annals. [1] This Eanwine may be identified with King Eadwulf's son of the same name. Eardwulf questions why Hsten is so eager to tell him this. Brida determines that Stiorra is at least half Dane. She has certainly proven her strength and bravery in season four, and fans hope she plays a bigger role in a new series, whether it be avenging her brother or not. Jamie Blackley played his death brilliantly, but we say good riddance to Eardwulf. In 801, Eardwulf led an army against Coenwulf of Mercia, perhaps because of Coenwulf's support for other claimants to the Northumbrian throne. . Eadith reveals that he has not spoken of Eardwulf, but they should leave before his mind returns. Aethelreds death left the Ealdormen of Mercia in a quandary over his successor. The Last Kingdom is available to watch on Netflix now. Offa, the greatest of the three, ruled Mercia until 796, followed soon after by Coenwulf. We met Uhtreds grown-up children Young Uhtred and Stiorra respectively a Christian cleric and a passionate Dane. Eardwulf of Mercia was a supporting character and antagonist in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series, acting as the central antagonist of Season 4. The second season premiered on 16 March 2017 and was a joint venture between the BBC and Netflix.Netflix bought the rights exclusively for the third season, which was . However, Eardwulf then reveals that shes in fact Uhtreds daughter. Secondly, Eardwulfs story arc came to an end when he decided to murder the man he wanted to overthrow. Towards the end of the series, Eadith watched in the shadows as her brother killed Aethelred, by snapping his neck. Eardwulf was eventually forced to flee Mercia, and joined up with Danes Brida and Sigtryggr who eventually killed him after learning of his treachery. thelred blames Eardwulf, as it was on his intel that they left Mercia. Eardwulf explains that the surrounding settlements are resisting, but they will prevail. The Last Kingdom cast: What happened to Clapa actor Magnus Samuelsson. Last Kingdom season 5: Will Uhtred and Aethelflaed stay together? Oxford, Mercia As the guards inch towards them, Eadith reveals that her brother killed Lord thelred and shes willing to swear it on the book. Starring: Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, David Dawson. At one point, Edward imprisoned his sister, mother and Uhtred, who was tortured at Lord Aethelhelms behest. At the end of the season, Stiorra went willingly with Sigtryggr to be his companion in Eoforwic/York. Brida orders her men to find Uhtred and send him Stiorras head, but Sigtryggr takes Stiorra with him instead. Aethelhelm wanted Uhtred to give up the location of Aethelflaeds daughter Aelfwynn, who was being hidden with his own daughter Stiorra, but Uhtred stayed firm. Eardwulf informs Sigtryggr that they will have the town soon enough. He also, collecting an army, obtained very many auxiliaries from other provinces, having made a long expedition among them. Eardwulf steals thelreds ring off his finger and leave. Eardwulf of Mercia was a supporting character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. Not wanting to be a shamed prisoner, she begged him to kill her, but Uhtred was unable to fulfill her wish. The Mercian Guard is loyal to Eardwulf and the Ealdormen are against the king. Eardwulf explains that hes simply trying to keep the king happy and instructs his sister to do the same. Anglo-Saxon coins usually named the king on whose orders they were issued and sometimes named the mint where they were struckNorthumbrian coinage names York as the place of issueand the moneyer who produced them. What patience Aethelred had is fast running out. She managed to distract his men before killing them and cutting down Uhtred and his friends to free them. In The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, the novel series The Last Kingdom is based on, Stiorra is described as tall and having her mother's face. She hands over her weapons and is locked inside. As the battle began, Aelfric was shocked to see the return of his son Wihtgar (Ossian Perret), who hed assumed had died at sea. To lift the kings decree that every generation be born into disgrace. Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! Ealdormen of Mercia vie for control of the land. [5] At the head of the Northumbrian church was the Archbishop of York, an office held by Eanbald I to 796, Eanbald II until some time after 808, and then by Wulfsige to around 830. He was possibly buried at the Mercian royal monastery of Breedon on the Hill, which carries a dedication to Saint Mary and Saint Hardulph, with whom Eardwulf is identified by several historians. Wada was defeated and driven into exile. Spoilers! "The Last Kingdom" He claims to have something of value to share with them, but before he can reveal what he has to say, he is knocked unconscious. Eadith doesnt want anyone elses blood on her hands nor does she want to be married to a man who kills so frivolously. Eardwulf believes their in need of a peacemaker, someone to unite the divisions. As Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders, Uhtred -- born a Saxon but raised by Vikings -- seeks to claim his ancestral birthright. He then turns his attention to Eardwulf, who works for his own desires. A group of nobles conspired to assassinate thelred in April 796 and he was succeeded by Osbald: Osbald's reign lasted only twenty-seven days before he was deposed and Eardwulf became king on 14 May 796. Eardwulf returns and asks his sister if the king blames him for their late return. Eardwulf fears that the king may lose interest if his sister continues to deny him. Ahead of season fives arrival, heres the rest of the main action to remember, from enmities forged to deaths and battles. In 801, Eardwulf led an army against Coenwulf of Mercia, perhaps because of Coenwulf's support for other claimants to the Northumbrian throne. Edward rushed back to Winchester but his head-on attack failed and his army spent a month waiting outside the city. [35], Two further challenges to Eardwulf are recorded within the next two years, both apparently from among the noble lines that had been fighting for the throne over the previous decades. The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. Levison, "England and the Continent", p. 114. He may have had a second reign from 808 until perhaps 811 or 830. [18] Charlemagne in time became a supporter of Eardwulf. thelred fears that his reputation will be ripped to shreds. By the end of the season, Edward had realised Uhtreds importance, and entrusted his first-born son Aethelstan to Uhtreds protection, to raise and train to be a future king. He promised thelfld that he would not act without her. Uhtreds usurping uncle Aelfric at Bebbanburg. Edward fears that his sister will not mourn her husband. Do you know what it is to live your life derided? [51], Eardwulf is identified by historians with the Saint Hardulph or Hardulf, to whom the Mercian royal church of Saint Mary and Saint Hardulph at Breedon on the Hill is dedicated. Last Kingdom season 5: Will Uhtred kill Brida in new series? He fought alongside some of the men. The Last Kingdom season 5: Will The Last Kingdom have a season 5? The Succession of Mercian. Eanbald was presumably in conflict with Eardwulf over property, but it is likely that he also supported rivals for Eardwulf's throne. However, he was able to become the commander of Lord thelred's household troops. ("Episode 4.9"), Outside Winchester, Wessex; Brida orders the Danes to dig up the bodies of dead Wessex men. Eardwulf leaves for Gloucester and Uhtred, suspecting an attack, prepares a trap for Eardwulf. Campbell (, The identity of Eardwulf and Saint Hardulph, and the link to Breedon, is accepted by Rollason ("Eardwulf", in the. thelred has now died, so it is not clear who has the authority to command the troops. Only two eighth-century depositions offer any context, those of thelwald Moll in Northumbria and Sigeberht of Wessex. What is going on? Only a handful of soldiers remain there. One fan said on Twitter: "Watching Season 4 of #TheLastKingdom - I like Eadith a lot more in the series than I did in the book.". Aethelred, lord of Mercia was already dying of a fatal wound inflicted at the battle of Tettenhall when his death was hastened by new character Eardwulf. No record has survived of his death or the end of his reign: dates from 811 to 830 have been suggested. Always Sunny to Talking Sopranos: The Best TV Rewatch Podcasts Hosted By Cast & Creators, The Star Trek Story Bridging the Gaps Between Deep Space Nine and Picard, Taskmaster and The Underrated Comic Genius of Kiell Smith-Bynoe, The Last Kingdom Season 4 Recap: Brida Becomes the Enemy. [40], This settlement ended open warfare, but Eardwulf was deposed in 806, in unknown circumstances. The first season debuted on BBC America on 10 October 2015, and BBC Two on 22 October 2015. Lord Aethelred of Mercia, who was murdered after being fatally injured at the Battle of Tettenhall. Cnut is taking his men to Irland. In season four Eadith also saved Uhtred and his friends after they were left to die at the hands of Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen). Stiorra tells him that he brought this on himself, so he slaps her. Express. Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who is seriously, perhaps fatally wounded, knows that Aethelflaed is the best choice, but the Witan will not choose a woman. Sigtryggr then held both of the kings sons captive, causing Uhtred to offer himself up as a hostage to save the boys. He came from a disgraced family, and he endeavored to restore his family to prominence through loyal service to Aethelred. Ealhmund was remembered at Derby, in the neighbouring kingdom of Mercia, as a saint.[38]. Charlemagne initially ruled Francia and parts of Italy, but by 796 had become master of an empire which stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Hungarian Plain. ("Episode 4.3"), Eardwulf buries the body of the dead messenger in a shallow grave. When Charlemagne learned of thelred's killing he was enraged, called the Northumbrians "that treacherous, perverse peoplewho murder their own lords", and threatened retribution. With most everything in shambles, Mercia still needed someone to sit on its throne. Uhtred returns to Gloucester, and he learns than Eardwulf had returned briefly and stolen thelred's wealth. ("Episode 4.6"), Mercia; Eardwulf and the guards cross paths with a group of villagers. King Coenwulf of Mercia may have supported the unfortunate Ealhmund,[39] and Symeon of Durham wrote that in 801: Eardwulf, king of the Northumbrians, led an army against Coenwulf, king of Mercians, because he had given asylum to his enemies. However, the king will not agree to it. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Aethelred had been severely injured in battle and his head trauma meant he would not recover. They took Edwards family and Uhtreds daughter Stiorra hostage. Who is she based on? He listened to the bad and self-serving advice of his scheming father-in-law Lord Aethelhelm, whose only interest was in furthering his familys route to power via Edwards successor. The first began when Cnut and Haesten tricked Aethelred into thinking theyd taken their men from East Anglia to Ireland so that he would invade East Anglia and leave Mercia undefended. Brida wanted to kill Uhtred, and was disgusted when Sigtryggr stopped her and negotiated a truce.