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__NOTOC__[[File:The-Last-Kingdom-seasonUhtred-Alexander-3Dreymon-15244902.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px|left350px|<i>The Last Kingdom</i> in the third season takes place in the 890s, the last years of Alfred's reign.]]__NOTOC__

Read our previous articles on the historical accuracy for [[What How Historically Accurate is the Historical Accuracy season 1 of The Last Kingdom Season 1?|Season 1]] and [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Last Kingdom?|Season 2]] of The Last Kingdom.

The TV series <i>Last Kingdom</i> , based on the <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LEYI47C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00LEYI47C&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5896bb38392fa928ad7836385dccf0d Saxon Tales]</i> series written by Bernard Cornwell, continues for a third season, this time concentrating in the later years of Alfred the Great'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.

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 been more greatly in successful with their raids. In 892-94, Wessex was far more prepared for renewed Dane raids than they were in earlier invasions, as this time they had fortified places called <i>burh</i>(s) throughout much of Wessex (Figure 2). The Danes has setup have set up 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 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|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 2. Burhs were important for 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 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.<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>

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|thumbnail|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> When Alfred does die in 899, rebellion by Aethelwald starts that sees him combining his forces with invading Danes, Northumbria Danes, and Danes from East Anglia. Edward, son of Alfred, had succeed 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 recognised 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>

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 time and 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 battles such as Benfleet.<ref>For more on Hastein, see: Hinds, Kathryn. 2010. <i>Vikings. Barbarians!</i> New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, pg. 49. </ref> <dh-ad/> Edward is Alfred's legitimate son who becomes king after him. Edward is shown as being initially unsure and needing guidance, which Uhtred was to provide in matters of war and battle. Edward begins to gain confidence and establishes his own interests soon after Alfred's death by securing the crown and fighting in East Anglia to defend his interests. He gained valuable battlefield experience in Farnham and Benfleet.<ref>For more on Edward, see: Higham, N. J., and David Hill. 2001. <i>Edward the Elder, 899-924</i>. London ; New York: Routledge. </ref>

Edward is Alfred's legitimate son Æthelflæd, who becomes king after him. Edward eventually led the Mercians, is shown as being initially unsure and needing guidance, which an intelligent character who eventually convinces Uhtred was to provide in matters of war and battle Edward begins to gain confidence come back and establishes his own interests soon after Alfred's death by securing serve the crown Mercia and fighting Wessex despite the fact that he was at one point wanted for killing a priest. Because she cared for Uhtred this helped him against the people in East Anglia Wessex who were angry with him. This permitted Uhtred to defend his interestsher from those who plotted against her, including her own husband. He gained valuable battlefield experience in Farnham and BenfleetHer husband sought to make Merica fully independent from Wessex, but failed because the country lacked sufficient resources.<ref>For more on EdwardÆthelflæd, see: HighamArman, NJoanna. J., and David Hill. 20012017. <i>Edward The Warrior Queen: The Life and Legend of Aethelflaed, Daughter of Alfred the Elder, 899-924Great</i>. London ; New York: RoutledgeAmberley Publishing. </ref>

Æthelflæd, who eventually led In the Mercians890s, is shown as an intelligent character who eventually convinces Uhtred Alfred's weak health has begun to catch up to come back him and serve the Mercia he knew it. He began to groom his son Edward and Wessex despite prepare him for the fact challenges that he was were ahead. Alfred wanted to fight to secure the crown, then keep the Danes and Viking raids at one point wanted for killing bay, and finally expand and forge the dream of England. While the first two goals were clear and having the <i>burh</i> and a priest. Neverthelessmilitary system created by Wessex could prove effective, her care for Uhtred helped her defend him against Wessex anger while he uniting a country was able more complex, as no one had to defend her from those who plotted against her, including her own husband who sought convince other Anglo-Saxons to accept the idea of England. Alfred did begin to make Merica fully independent from Wessex plans for this by marrying his daughter to the Mercian lord and placing that lord under him, but was unable he struggled to do their poor resource statecreate a more secure alliance.<ref>For more on Æthelflædhow Alfred spent his last years, see: ArmanAbels, JoannaRichard Philip. 20171998. <i>The Warrior Queen: The Life and Legend of Aethelflaed, Daughter of Alfred the Great: War, Kingship, and Culture in Anglo-Saxon England</i>. Amberley PublishingThe Medieval World. Harlow, England ; New York: Longman, Chapter 9.</ref>

In the 890sÆthelwald is portrayed as a character often drunk and largely incompetent, Alfred's weak health has begun to catch up to him and although this could largely be an artifact of history where he knew itultimately did not rule the crown. He began to groom was given great wealth and land by Alfred on his son Edward and prepare him for the challenges that were ahead. First, fighting to secure deathbed but Æthelwald always wanted the crown, then keeping the Danes and Viking raids at bay, and finally expand and forge the dream he saw his chance during a period of England that Alfred possessed. While the first two goals were clear renewed Dane and having the <i>burh</i> and military system created by Wessex could prove effective, uniting a country was more complex, as now one had to convince other Anglo-Saxons to accept the idea of EnglandViking attacks. Alfred He did begin not anticipate perhaps that his nephew would also be willing to make plans fight so hard for this by marrying his daughter claim to the Mercian lord crown and placing that lord under this oversight cost him, but creating something larger was a challengehis life.<ref>For more on how Alfred spent his last yearsÆthelwald, see: AbelsJones, Richard PhilipGwyn. 19982001. <i>Alfred A History of the Great: War, Kingship, and Culture in Anglo-Saxon EnglandVikings</i>. The Medieval World2nd ed. Harlow, England London ; New York: Longman, Chapter 9Oxford University Press. </ref>

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

==Historical Accuracy==There is The 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 great deal king became physically weaker, enemies of creative liberty Wessex did begin to contemplated whether there was a chance to take Wessex. Dane disunity and coordination in their military tactics and strategies played a key role their downfall and this seasonbecame clear. The 890s were recorded in Although the <i>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Last Kingdom</i>, which is takes great liberty with the primary source for story in this period. We do not know how serious the Dane raids were but one gets a sense they became less successful season, along with several fictional, key characters such as the English (Anglo-Saxons) began devising more effective defensive systems. The Danes were likely still a formidable threat Skade and Harald Bloodhair, the fact they were campaigning throughout still much of England shows that. The major battles in this story is well set within another period were just outside of London and uncertainty in an area near Cambridge. The entanglement of Danes with the English also becomes clear as by now many had begun to convert to Christianity history and the politics of the Danes and English intersected. England itself would become a mixture of Danish and English influences. The fact that Alfred was still highly successful in manipulating the situation for his favour with the Mercia makes these characters believable and securing his son on the throne shows that he continued seemingly central 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 familystory of English unification.

====Summary====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 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 if this was their chance to get at the kingdom. The lack of Dane unity or at least coordination in their military tactics was once again partly their downfall and this became clear. Although the fact that <i>The Last Kingdom</i> takes great liberty with has continued for the story in this third season, along with several fictional, key characters such as Skade and Harald Bloodhair, shows that there is a strong appetite for stories from early English history. The show benefits from the story reality that this period's history of England is not particularly well set within another period known, outside of uncertainty in English history some major battles, Alfred's death, and makes these characters believable and seemingly central the subsequent rebellion. This allows the show to the wider weave a captivating fictional story of English unificationwithin this historical timeline, making for some entertaining watching even if it is fanciful.

==Summary==References====The fact <i>Last Kingdom<references/i> has continued for a third season shows that there is a strong appetite for stories from the early history of England's making. It does help that much of the period's history is not that well known, outside of some major battles, Alfred's death, and subsequent rebellion. This though does make it a great opportunity to weave a captivating fictional story within this historical timeline, making for some entertaining watching even if it is fanciful.