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__NOTOC__[[File:The-Last-Kingdom-Uhtred-Alexander-Dreymon-2.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|The tv series <i>Last Kingdom</i> continues for a third season, ]]'''Warning this time concentrating in the later years of Alfred the Greatarticle contains Spoilers!!!'''s reign. This was a period of renewed conflict with tensions and uncertainty as to how successful the unification process of England would survive future Danish onslaught. The approximate time in which the season takes place is between 892-899.

Read our previous articles on the historical accuracy for [[File:How Historically Accurate is season 1 of 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.Season 1]]==Historical Background==In 892-94, another large wave of Danish and other Viking invasions took place in Wessex, attacking the rich lands [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 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 Last Kingdom?|Season 2). The Danes has setup several key defensive areas]], including in the Thames Estuary and in Devon. They were led by Hastein, a chieftain who led one of the larger groups. However, numerous other Viking warlords were involved, which in some way may have complicated the success of their attacks. One group of Danes was, in fact, intercepted near Farnham, which [[How Historically Accurate is a small town today about 30 km west of London. There, the Danes were defeated and much Season 4 of the treasures stolen during their raids were taken back. Later, the Danes were also defeated in 894 at the battle of Benfleet east of London.<ref>For more on the battles and conflicts of the 890s, see: Lavelle, Ryan. 2010. <i>Alfred’s Wars: Sources and Interpretations of Anglo-Saxon Warfare in the Viking Age</i>. Warfare in History. Woodbridge: The Boydell PressLast Kingdom?| Season 4]]. </ref>

While in the novel Uhtred playsThe TV series <i>Last Kingdom</i>, once again, a key role in defending against based on the Danish raids, he eventually flees north to Northumbria after his wife had died giving childbirth<i>[https://www.amazon. The key historical link and plot is the uncertainty of what would happen once Alfred died and how successful Wessex would hold on against Danishcom/gp/product/B00LEYI47C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00LEYI47C&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5896bb38392fa928ad7836385dccf0d Saxon Tales]</Viking raidsi> series written by Bernard Cornwell, particularly as Aethelwald, Alfred's brother, would likely make continues for a move for the crown after Alfred had died. Although eventually Uhtred comes back to Wessexthird season, after some this time being involved in his own Viking raids concentrating in continental Europe and living with his Danish brother, Ragnar, he this time finds himself more closely allied to Æthelflæd, who is the wife later years of Alfred the Mercian lord ÆthelredGreat's reign.<ref>For more on This was a period of renewed conflict with tensions and uncertainty as to how successful the Danes from Northumbria and East Anglia began to conspire against Alfred, see: Abels, Richardunification process of England would survive future Danish onslaught. 2017. <i>Alfred The approximate time in which the Great: War, Kingship and Culture in Angloseason takes place is between 892-Saxon England</i>. Routledge899.</ref>

When Alfred does die ====Historical Background====In 892-94, another large wave of Danish and other Viking invasions took place in 899Wessex, rebellion by Aethelwald starts that sees him combining his forces with invading attacking the rich lands of southern England south of London. Several of the raids involved Danes, Northumbria Danes, and coming from northern Europe but also 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 DanesNorthumbria came. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle suggests Aethelward Danes 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 intended to stay 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 England if they had sided been more successful with Aethelwaldtheir raids. At a great battleIn 892-94, the Battle of HolmeWessex was far more prepared for renewed Dane raids than they were in earlier invasions, Eohric, Aethelwald, and other prominent Danes die, although as this is often considered a Danish victory as Wessex forces retreat from East Anglia for the time being.<ref>For more on the death of Alfred and succession, see: Campbell, James, Eric John, and Patrick Wormald. 1991. they had fortified places called <i>The Anglo-Saxonsburh</i>(s) throughout much of Wessex (Figure 2). Penguin History. LondonThe Danes have set up several key defensive areas, England ; New York, N.Yincluding in the Thames Estuary and in Devon.They were led by Hastein, USA: Penguin Booksa chieftain who led one of the larger groups. </ref>

However, numerous other Viking warlords were involved, which in some way may have complicated the success of their attacks. One group of Danes was, in fact, 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. Later, the Danes were also defeated in 894 at the battle of Benfleet east of London.<ref>For more on the battles and conflicts of the 890s, see: Lavelle, Ryan. 2010. <i>Alfred’s Wars: Sources and Interpretations of Anglo-Saxon Warfare in the Viking Age</i>. Warfare in History. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press. </ref>[[File:222w-95.jpg|thumbthumbnail|left|250px|Figure 2. Burhs were important for the defense of England.]]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 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 finds himself more closely allied to Æthelflæd, who is the wife of the Mercian lord Æthelred.<ref>For more on how the Danes from Northumbria and East Anglia began to conspire against Alfred, see: Abels, Richard. 2017. <i>Alfred the Great: War, Kingship, and Culture in Anglo-Saxon England</i>. Routledge.</ref>

==Key Characters When Alfred does die in 899, rebellion by Aethelwald starts that sees him combining his forces with invading Danes, Northumbria Danes, and Significance==Danes from East Anglia. Edward, son of Alfred, had succeeded 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 <i>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle</i> suggests Aethelward may have been recognized as king in Northumbria at this time. Aethelwald also convinces the Danes that he is the rightful king in Wessex, although he is unsuccessful in convincing most nobles 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, although this is often considered a Danish victory as Wessex forces retreat from East Anglia for the time being.<ref>For more on the death of Alfred and succession, see: Campbell, James, Eric John, and Patrick Wormald. 1991. <i>The Anglo-Saxons</i>. Penguin History. London, England ; New York, N.Y., USA: Penguin Books. </ref>

====Key Characters and Significance====[[File:The-Last-Kingdom-season-3-1524490.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|<i>The Last Kingdom</i> in the third season takes place in the 890s, the last years of Alfred's reign.]]In Season 3, Uhtred appears to possibly change his loyalties as he leaves Wessex after his wife dies. This is because he killed a priest who had insulted her after her death. Uhtred is now initially the governor of London and, although Merica, led by Æthelred, technically rule rules London, it is Wessex that has the real authority. In fact, Mercia is not allowed to have a king but only a lord, keeping Wessex in charge of its affairsand creating tension between the two although they are generally united against the Danes. After leaving Wessex for some time, Uhtred comes back and serves Æthelflæd as he cares for her and keeps his oath to her to protect her. He thus continues fighting for Wessex and serving under Edward, the son and successor to Alfred.

Hastein is a key character in the conflicts that began in the 890s. We do not know if Hastein was the same as another Hastein mentioned in texts who had also raided wide areas in Europe. It is possible they are different people as otherwise , it would seem Hastein would have lived for a very long timeand been involved in attacks throughout Europe. Hastein is shown as being a character willing to do whatever is needed to ensure his position. He is seen as orchestrating a significant part of the invasions and conflicts, although he was able to extricate himself from some of the key battlessuch as Benfleet.<ref>For more on Hastein, see: Hinds, Kathryn. 2010. <i>Vikings. Barbarians!</i> New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, pg. 49. </ref>

Æthelflæd, Edward is Alfred's legitimate son who eventually led the Mercians, becomes king after him. Edward is shown as an intelligent character who eventually convinces being initially unsure and needing guidance, which Uhtred was to come back provide in matters of war and serve battle. Edward begins to gain confidence and establishes his own interests soon after Alfred's death by securing the Mercia crown and fighting in East Anglia to defend his interests. He gained valuable battlefield experience in Farnham and Wessex despite the fact that he was at one point wanted for killing a priestBenfleet.<ref>For more on Edward, see: Higham, N. J. Nevertheless, her care for Uhtred helped her defend him against Wessex anger while he was able to defend her from those who plotted against herand David Hill. 2001. <i>Edward the Elder, including her own husband who sought to make Merica fully independent from Wessex but was unable to do their poor resource state899-924</i>. London ; New York: Routledge.</ref>

In Æthelflæd, who eventually led the 890sMercians, Alfred's weak health has begun is shown as an intelligent character who eventually convinces Uhtred to catch up to him come back and serve the Mercia and Wessex despite the fact that he knew itwas at one point wanted for killing a priest. He began to groom his son Edward and prepare Because she cared for Uhtred this helped him for against the challenges that people in Wessex who were aheadangry with him. FirstThis permitted Uhtred to defend her from those who plotted against her, fighting including her own husband. Her husband sought to secure make Merica fully independent from Wessex, but failed because the crowncountry lacked sufficient resources.<ref>For more on Æthelflæd, then keeping the Danes and Viking raids at baysee: Arman, Joanna. 2017. <i>The Warrior Queen: The Life and finally expand and forge the dream Legend of England that Alfred possessed. While the first two goals were clear and having the burh and military system created by Wessex could prove effectiveAethelflaed, uniting a country was more complex, as now one had to convince other Anglo-Saxons to accept the idea Daughter of England. Alfred did begin to make plans for this by marrying his daughter to the Mercian lord and placing that lord under him, but creating something larger was a challengeGreat</i>. Amberley Publishing.</ref>

Æthelwald is portrayed as a character often drunk In the 890s, Alfred's weak health has begun to catch up to him and largely incompetent, although this could largely be an artifact of history where he ultimately did not rule knew it. He began to groom his son Edward and prepare him for the crownchallenges that were ahead. He was given great wealth by Alfred on his deathbed but Æthelwald always wanted to fight to secure the crown , then keep the Danes and Viking raids at bay, and finally expand and he saw his chance during forge the dream of England. While the first two goals were clear and having the <i>burh</i> and a military system created by Wessex could prove effective, uniting a period country was more complex, as no one had to convince other Anglo-Saxons to accept the idea of renewed Dane and Viking attacksEngland. He Alfred did not anticipate perhaps that his nephew would also be willing begin to fight so hard make plans for this by marrying his claim daughter to the crown Mercian lord and this mistake could have cost placing that lord under him , but he struggled to create a more secure alliance.<ref>For more on how Alfred spent his lifelast years, see: Abels, Richard Philip. 1998. <i>Alfred the Great: War, Kingship, and Culture in Anglo-Saxon England</i>. The Medieval World. Harlow, England ; New York: Longman, Chapter 9.</ref>

==Historical Accuracy==There Æthelwald is portrayed as a good amount of creative liberty in this season. The 890s were recorded in the <i>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle </i>character often drunk and largely incompetent, which is the primary source for although this period. We do could largely be an artifact of history where he ultimately did not know how serious rule the Dane raids were but one gets a sense they became less successful as the English (Anglo-Saxons) began devising more effective defensive systemscrown. The Danes were still a formidable threat He was given great wealth and the fact they were campaigning throughout still much of England shows that. The major battles in this period were just outside of London and in an area near Cambridge. The entanglement of Danes with the English also becomes clear as land by now many had begun to convert to Christianity and Alfred on his deathbed but Æthelwald always wanted the politics of the Danes crown and English intersected. England itself would become he saw his chance during a mixture period of Danish renewed Dane and English influencesViking attacks. The fact He did not anticipate perhaps that Alfred was still highly successful in manipulating the situation his nephew would also be willing to fight so hard for his favour with claim to the Mercia crown and securing this oversight cost him his son life.<ref>For more on Æthelwald, see: Jones, Gwyn. 2001.<i> A History of the throne shows that he continued to be a wise ruler as he is depictedVikings</i>. 2nd ed. The threat from Hastein may have not been so severe but the fact that Æthelwald could threaten the crown shows that Alfred had not properly dealt with the threats from within his wider familyLondon ; New York: Oxford University Press. </ref>

====Historical Accuracy====There is a great deal of creative liberty in this season. The portrayal of Uhtred vacillating between his temptation to join his brother Ragner and the Danes and try to stay loyal to the English who often 890s were ungrateful demonstrates also recorded in the period in <i>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle </i>, which is the story takes placeprimary source for this period. As We do not know how serious the Dane raids were but one gets a king sense they became physically weaker, enemies of Wessex did begin to contemplate if this was their chance to get at less successful as the kingdomEnglish (Anglo-Saxons) began devising more effective defensive systems. The lack Danes were likely still a formidable threat and the fact they were campaigning throughout still much of Dane unity or at least coordination England shows that. The major battles in their military tactics was once again partly their downfall this period were just outside of London and this became clearin an area near Cambridge. Although <i>Last Kingdom</i> takes great liberty The entanglement of Danes with the story in this season, along with several fictional, key characters such English also becomes clear as Skade by now many had begun to convert to Christianity and Harald Bloodhair, the story is well set within another period politics of uncertainty in the Danes and English history intersected. England itself would become a mixture of Danish and makes these characters believable English influences. The fact that Alfred was still highly successful in manipulating the situation for his favor with Mercia and seemingly central securing his son on the throne shows that he continued to be a wise ruler as he is depicted. The threat from Hastein may have not been so severe but the fact that Æthelwald could threaten the crown shows that Alfred had not properly dealt with the threats from within his wider story of English unificationfamily.

==Summary==The fact portrayal of Uhtred vacillating between his temptation to join his brother Ragnar and the Danes and try to stay loyal to the English who often were ungrateful demonstrates also the period in which the story takes place. As a king became physically weaker, enemies of Wessex did begin to contemplate whether there was a chance to take Wessex. Dane disunity and coordination in their military tactics and strategies played a key role in their downfall and this became clear. Although the <i>Last Kingdom</i> has continued for a third takes great liberty with the story in this season shows that there is a strong appetite for stories from , along with several fictional, key characters such as Skade and Harald Bloodhair, the early history of England's making. It does help that much of the period's history story is not that well known, outside set within another period of some major battles, Alfred's death, uncertainty in English history and makes these characters believable and subsequent rebellion. This though does make it a great opportunity seemingly central to weave a captivating fictional the wider story within this historical timeline, making for some entertaining watching even if it is fancifulof English unification.

====Summary====The fact that <i>The Last Kingdom</i> has continued for the third season shows that there is a strong appetite for stories from early English history. The show benefits from the reality that this period's history of England is not particularly well known, outside of some major battles, Alfred's death, and the subsequent rebellion. This allows the show to weave a captivating fictional story within this historical timeline, making for some entertaining watching even if it is fanciful.<div class="portal" style='float:center; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Historically Accurate|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=10}}</div>  ====References====<references/> {{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:British History]] [[Category:English History]] [[Category:Scottish History]] [[Category:Historically Accurate]] [[Category:Medieval History]]