Changes

__NOTOC__[[File:The-Last-Kingdom-seasonUhtred-Alexander-3Dreymon-15244902.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px|left250px|<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]] and [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Last Kingdom?|Season 12]] , and [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 4 of The Last Kingdom?| Season 4]].

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> Æthelflæd, who eventually led the Mercians, is shown as an intelligent character who eventually convinces Uhtred to come back and serve the Mercia and 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 Wessex who were angry with him. This permitted Uhtred to defend her from those who plotted against her, including her own husband. Her husband sought to make Merica fully independent from Wessex, but failed because the country lacked sufficient resources.<ref>For more on Æthelflæd, see: Arman, Joanna. 2017. <i>The Warrior Queen: The Life and Legend of Aethelflaed, Daughter of Alfred the Great</i>. Amberley Publishing. </ref>

Edward is In the 890s, Alfred's legitimate weak health has begun to catch up to him and he knew it. He began to groom his son who becomes king after Edward and prepare himfor the challenges that were ahead. Edward is shown as being initially unsure Alfred wanted to fight to secure the crown, then keep the Danes and Viking raids at bay, and finally expand and forge the dream of England. While the first two goals were clear and having the <i>burh</i> and needing guidancea military system created by Wessex could prove effective, which Uhtred uniting a country was more complex, as no one had to convince other Anglo-Saxons to provide in matters accept the idea of war and battle Edward begins England. Alfred did begin to gain confidence and establishes make plans for this by marrying his own interests soon after Alfred's death by securing daughter to the crown Mercian lord and fighting in East Anglia placing that lord under him, but he struggled to defend his interests. He gained valuable battlefield experience in Farnham and Benfleetcreate a more secure alliance.<ref>For more on Edwardhow Alfred spent his last years, see: HighamAbels, NRichard Philip. J., and David Hill. 20011998. <i>Edward Alfred the ElderGreat: War, Kingship, 899and Culture in Anglo-924Saxon England</i>. London The Medieval World. Harlow, England ; New York: RoutledgeLongman, Chapter 9. </ref>

Æthelflæd, who eventually led the Mercians, Æthelwald is shown portrayed as an intelligent a character who eventually convinces Uhtred to come back often drunk and serve largely incompetent, although this could largely be an artifact of history where he ultimately did not rule the Mercia crown. He was given great wealth and Wessex despite land by Alfred on his deathbed but Æthelwald always wanted the fact that crown and he was at one point wanted for killing saw his chance during a priestperiod of renewed Dane and Viking attacks. Nevertheless, her care He did not anticipate perhaps that his nephew would also be willing to fight so hard for Uhtred helped her defend his claim to the crown and this oversight cost him against Wessex anger while he was able to defend her from those who plotted against her, including her own husband who sought to make Merica fully independent from Wessex but was unable to do their poor resource statehis life.<ref>For more on ÆthelflædÆthelwald, see: ArmanJones, JoannaGwyn. 20172001. <i>The Warrior Queen: The Life and Legend A History of Aethelflaed, Daughter of Alfred the GreatVikings</i>. Amberley Publishing2nd ed. London ; New York: Oxford University Press. </ref>

In ====Historical Accuracy====There is a great deal of creative liberty in this season. The 890s were recorded in the 890s<i>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle </i>, Alfred's weak health has begun to catch up to him and he knew itwhich is the primary source for this period. He began to groom his son Edward and prepare him for We do not know how serious the challenges that Dane raids were aheadbut one gets a sense they became less successful as the English (Anglo-Saxons) began devising more effective defensive systems. First, fighting to secure the crown, then keeping the The Danes were likely still a formidable threat and Viking raids at bay, and finally expand and forge the dream fact they were campaigning throughout still much of England shows that Alfred possessed. While the first two goals The major battles in this period were clear just outside of London and having in an area near Cambridge. The entanglement of Danes with the <i>burh</i> and military system created English also becomes clear as by Wessex could prove effective, uniting a country was more complex, as now one many had begun to convince other Anglo-Saxons convert to accept Christianity and the idea politics of the Danes and English intersected. Englanditself would become a mixture of Danish and English influences. The fact that Alfred did begin to make plans was still highly successful in manipulating the situation for this by marrying his daughter to favor with Mercia and securing his son on the Mercian lord and placing throne shows that lord under him, but creating something larger was he continued to be a challengewise ruler as he is depicted.<ref>For more on how The threat from Hastein may have not been so severe but the fact that Æthelwald could threaten the crown shows that Alfred spent had not properly dealt with the threats from within his last 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 9wider family. </ref>

Æthelwald is portrayed as a character often drunk The portrayal of Uhtred vacillating between his temptation to join his brother Ragnar and largely incompetent, although this could largely be an artifact of history where he ultimately did not rule the crown. He was given great wealth Danes and land by Alfred on his deathbed but Æthelwald always wanted try to stay loyal to the English who often were ungrateful demonstrates also the period in which the crown and he saw his chance during story takes place. As a period king became physically weaker, enemies of renewed Dane and Viking attacks. He Wessex did not anticipate perhaps that his nephew would also be willing begin to fight so hard for his claim contemplate whether there was a chance to the crown take Wessex. Dane disunity and coordination in their military tactics and strategies played a key role in their downfall and this mistake probably cost him his lifebecame clear.Although the <refi>For more on Æthelwald, see: Jones, Gwyn. 2001.Last Kingdom</i> A History takes great liberty with the story in this season, along with several fictional, key characters such as Skade and Harald Bloodhair, the story is well set within another period of uncertainty in English history and makes these characters believable and seemingly central to the Vikings</i>wider story of English unification. 2nd ed. London ; New York: Oxford University Press. </ref>

==Historical Accuracy==Summary====There is a great deal of creative liberty in this season. The 890s were recorded in the fact that <i>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle The Last Kingdom</i>, which is the primary source has continued for this period. We do not know how serious the Dane raids were but one gets third season shows that there is a sense they became less successful as the strong appetite for stories from early English (Anglo-Saxons) began devising more effective defensive systemshistory. The Danes were likely still a formidable threat and show benefits from the fact they were campaigning throughout still much of England shows reality that. The major battles in this period were just 's history of England is not particularly well known, outside of London some major battles, Alfred's death, and in an area near Cambridgethe subsequent rebellion. The entanglement of Danes with This allows the English also becomes clear as by now many had begun show to convert to Christianity and the politics of the Danes and English intersected. England itself would become weave a mixture of Danish and English influences. The fact that Alfred was still highly successful in manipulating the situation captivating fictional story within this historical timeline, making for his favour with the Mercia and securing his son on the throne shows that he continued to be a wise ruler as he some entertaining watching even if it 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 familyfanciful.<div class="portal" style='float:center; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Historically Accurate|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=10}}</div>

==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.