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[[File:The-Last-Kingdom-season-3-1524490.jpg|thumb|<i>The Last Kingdom</i> in the third season takes place in the 890s, the last years of Alfred's reign.]]
==Historical Background==
In 892-94, another large wave of Danish and other Viking invasions took place in Wessex, attacking the rich lands of southern England south of London. Several of the raids involved Danes coming from northern Europe but also Danes from East Anglia and Northumbria came. The Danes may have intended to stay in England if they had succeeded more greatly in their raids. In 892-94, Wessex was far more prepared for renewed Dane raids, as this time they had fortified places called <i>burh</i>(s) throughout much of Wessex(Figure 2). The Danes has setup several key defensive areas, including in the Thames Estuary and in Devon. They were led Hastein, a chieftain who led one of the larger groups. Another group of Danes was intercepted near Farnham, which is a small town today about 30 km west of London. There, the Danes were defeated and much of the treasures stolen during their raids were taken back.
While in the novel Uhtred plays, once again, a key role in defending against the Danish raids, he eventually flees north to Northumbria after his wife had died giving childbirth. The key historical link and plot is the uncertainty of what would happen once Alfred died and how successful Wessex would hold on against Danish/Viking raids, particularly as Aethelwald, Alfred's brother, would likely make a move for the crown after Alfred had died. Although eventually Uhtred comes back to Wessex, after some time being involved in his own Viking raids in continental Europe and living with his Danish brother, Ragnar, he this time finds himself more closely allied to Æthelflæd, who is the wife of the Mercian lord Æthelred.
When Alfred does die in 899, rebellion by Aethelwald starts that sees him combining his forces with invading Danes and Danes from East Anglia. Edward, son of Alfred, had succeed Alfred but some see him as not the legitimate king, as Alfred took the crown from Aethelwald early in his reign because Aethelwald was seen as incompetent and unable to lead against the Danes. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle suggests Aethelward may have been recognised as king in Northumbria at this time. Aethelwald also convinces the Danes that he is the rightful king, although he is unsuccessful in convincing anyone in Wessex of this. The Danes began raiding Wessex which eventually led to an invasion by Wessex against East Anglia, specifically against King Eohric who had sided with Aethelwald. At a great battle, the Battle of Holme, Eohric, Aethelwald, and other prominent Danes die, but Wessex forces retreat from East Anglia.
[[File:222w-95.jpg|thumb|Figure 2. Burhs were important for defense of England.]]
==Key Characters and Significance==
