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[[File:Last_Kingdom_2.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|The Last Kingdom - Season 2]] <i> Warning: May contain This article contains spoilers!!!!</i> Check out our summaries for [[How Historically Accurate is season 1 of The Last Kingdom?|Season 1]] and [[How Historically Accurate is season 3 of The Last Kingdom?|Season 3]].

The <i>The Last Kingdom</i> is a historical-based series set in Anglo-Saxon England in the 9th century AD during a time of major Viking (Norse and Dane) invasions. Season 2 focuses on family conflicts that embroiled Uhtred, the protagonist, and the conquest of London, which was a an actual historical event.

Uhtred finds himself helping a Dane, King Guthred, who was a slave envisioned to be a king by priests serving Saint Cuthbert, specifically abbot Eadred. This was a period after Halfdan, a Dane, had conquered Northumbria. Guthred was indicated to be Hardcanut's son, who somehow ended up in slavery. The story of Guthred being freed is depicted in the first episode, as he is rescued by Uhtred. The crowning of Guthred was preceded by a period of some anarchy, as the population arose against the Danes. Historically, there was uncertainty after Halfdan was killed in battle as he was fighting in Ireland. This was used by the series to create the context in which Guthred came to power. [[File:P04w2wqw2000px-England 878.svg.jpgpng|thumbnail|left|thumbnail|Poster from Season Figure 1. Map of England in 878 and during the period of Series 2.]]==Set Later, after Guthred was crowned as king of Northumbria, Uhtred became the leader of Guthred's household guard. Much of the rest of Events==Season 2 the first four episodes are not so much historical but more focused on Uhtred and the revenge exacted against Kjartan. The only main highlight is divided into two novels from the <i>Saxon Stories</i> seriesfocus on Dunholm, namely books 3 and 4 (Season 1 which was books 1-2)the base of Kjartan. The novels spans roughly between 878Dunholm, modern Durham, is little known historically at this time, although it may have had an important fortress already in the Anglo-886 (Figure 1)Saxon period, as suggested by the series. The main focus for Season 2 is Overall, the first four episodes is Uhtred's quest to go north from Wessex into Northumbria, a less tamed area show that in parts of England that is ruled more by , Danish and English people were becoming intermixed, where some Danes but their hold is somewhat less clear, such as possibly Guthred, became Christian as well. Uhtred seeks his ancestral home in Bebbanburg (Bamburgh Castle) In effect, the population was become hybrid and also wants revenge against Kjartan, who killed is adopted Danish fathersome conversions were taking place to make the Vikings Christians.<ref>For more on the serieshistorical Guthred, see: Campbell, J., John, E. & Wormald, P. (1991) <i>[https://enwww.wikipediaamazon.orgcom/gp/product/wiki0140143955/The_Saxon_Storiesref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140143955&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b8ad3933677a311cc75e14d5b42858bf The Anglo-Saxons]</i>. London, England ; New York, N.Y., USA, Penguin Books, pg. 81.</ref>

Uhtred finds himself helping a DaneIn the last four episodes, King Guthred, who was a slave envisioned to be a king by priests serving Saint Cuthbert, specifically abbot Eadred. This was the focus is a period few years after Halfdanthe events where Uhtred had helped his Danish brother, a DaneRagnar the Younger, had conquered Northumbriato take Dunholm. Guthred was indicated to be Hardcanut's sonNow, who somehow ended up in slavery. The story of Guthred being freed Uhtred is depicted based in the first episodeCookham, as he is rescued by Uhtred. The crowning of Guthred a small village near London which was preceded by a period of some anarchy, as the population arose against the Danes. Historicallyin fact, there was uncertainty after Halfdan was killed in battle occupied as he was fighting a more prominent settlement in IrelandAnglo-Saxon times. This was used by the series to create the context in which Guthred came Once again, Uhtred had sworn allegiance to power. LaterAlfred, after Guthred was crowned Alfred had helped free Uhtred from slavery. It shows Uhtred as king of Northumbria, Uhtred became the leader of Guthredleading Alfred's household guard. Much of the rest borough of the first four episodes are not so much historical but more focused on Uhtred and the revenge exacted against KjartanCookham. The only main highlight is the focus on DunholmIn fact, which Cookham was the base of Kjartanlast important borough before reaching London. DunholmOverall, England is divided into Danelaw, areas in northern Mercia, Northumbria, and East Anglia, modern Durhamand Wessex, is which also ruled over southern Mercia. London in 886 was little known historically at this time, although it may have and the historical accounts simply mentioned that Alfred had an important fortress already in restored the Anglo-Saxon periodtown, as suggested by the including rebuilding its Roman walls. The series. Overall, shows the first episodes show that events in parts of Englanda more theatrical manner, Danish and English people were becoming intermixedshowing the Norse had, where some Danesinitially, such as possibly Guthred, became Christian as welltaken the city. In effectThen, they tricked the population was become hybrid and some conversions were taking place Anglo-Saxons in allowing them to make take the city so that the Vikings ChristiansLady Æthelflæd could be captured. The series concludes with Uhtred leading a daring rescue that saw her freed.<ref>For more on the historical Guthredevents leading to 886, see: CampbellInwood, J., John, E. & Wormald, P. Stephen (19911998) <i>The Anglo[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786706139/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0786706139&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-Saxons. Penguin 20&linkId=a5bdf413f75cfbfe3838ad70df0785b4 A historyof London].</i> London, England ; New York, N.Y., USA, Penguin BooksMacmillan, pg. 8164.</ref>

In ===Historical Characters===The series develops several significant characters that were introduced in the last four episodesfirst season. The first being Æthelflæd, the focus who is a few years after the events where Uhtred had helped his Danish brother, Ragnar the Younger, to take Dunholmnow of marriageable age. Now, Uhtred She is ased to become be an important historical figure in Cookham, a small village near London which was, in fact, occupied as a more prominent settlement in Anglo-Saxon timesleading Mercia to full independence from Viking occupation. Once again, Uhtred had sworn allegiance Her parents marry her to AlfredÆthelred, after Alfred had helped free Uhtred from slavery. It shows Uhtred as leading Alfred's borough who is Lord of Cookham. In factMercia, Cookham was (the last important borough before reaching London. Overall, England is divided into Danelaw, areas in northern of Mercia, Northumbria, free from Danish rule) n order to form a strategic alliance between Wessex and East AngliaMercia. The marriage is portrayed, and Wessexhowever, which also ruled over southern Merciaas unhappy. London Æthelred is depicted as abusive and as marrying Æthelflæd solely in 886 was little known and the historical accounts simply mentioned that order to advance his position with her father, King Alfred had restored the town, including rebuilding its Roman walls. The series shows the events in a more theatrical manner, showing the Norse There is some historical account to suggest they hadan estranged or less than happy marriage, initially, taken although the city. Then, they tricked the Anglo-Saxons two did form an important political combination in allowing them to take the city so that the Lady Æthelflæd could be captured. The series concludes with Uhtred leading a daring rescue that saw her freedMercia.<ref>For more on the events leading to 886Æthelred and Æthelflæd, and their role in uniting Mercia and Wessex, see: InwoodMarafioti, SN. (19982014) <i>A history of London[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442647582/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442647582&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6adde8dd803068319e28a91c24747861 The king’s body: burial and succession in late Anglo-Saxon England]</i> London. Toronto Anglo-Saxon series. Toronto, MacmillanUniversity of Toronto Press, pg. 6458.</ref>

[[File:2000px<dh-England 878.svg.png|thumbnail|Figure 1. Map of England in 878 and during the period of Series 2.]]ad/>

==Historical Characters==The series develops several new or more significant characters that were Another key character introduced in the first seasonfour episodes is Guthrud. He was likely a Dane and he may have been a Christian. The first It is Æthelflædunclear if he really was a slave, who is now but accounts do suggest that was the case. While Alfred was shown as a grown woman. She would later be an important historical figure in leading Mercia scheming to full independence from Viking occupation. She is depicted as marrying Æthelredhelp make him king, who was Lord of Mercia, that the reality is less clear. He may have simply become king because the areas population of Mercia free from Danish rule. The series focused on Æthelred Northumbria was becoming increasingly intermixed and Æthelflæd getting married as having a key alliance ruler showing greater sympathy to bring the nonDanes and Christian Anglo-Saxons may have suited everyone in Northumbria. He also may have simply succeeded normally as any Dane parts would, but the Anglo-Saxons tried to make it look legitimate through the stories of Mercia into closer alliance with WessexSt. Cuthbert selecting him. There is a story that St. Their marriage was shownCuthbert's body did not decay and, howeverin the series, he is shown as less than pleasantrelatively well preserved, where Æthelred was shown to be abusing her. There as his corpse is some historical account used to suggest they had an estranged or less than happy marriagegive the new king Guthrud his blessing.<ref>For more on Æthelred and Æthelflæd, and their role in uniting Mercia and WessexSt. Cuthbert, see: Marafioti Marner, ND. & British Library (20142000) The king’s body<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0712346864/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0712346864&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8c244d371d8366274e6a7cc14f71af96 St. Cuthbert: burial his life and succession cult in late Anglo-Saxon England. Toronto Anglo-Saxon seriesmedieval Durham]. </i> Toronto; New York, University of Toronto Press, pg. 58.</ref>

Another One of the Vikings was Haestein, who seems to be a key character introduced aid to the leader Norse in the first four episodes was Guthrum. He was likely a Dane and he may have been a Christian. It is unclear if he really was a slaveseries, but accounts do suggest that was namely the casebrothers Sigefrid and Erik. While Alfred was shown as scheming to help make him kingSiegfried and Erik seem fictional, the reality Haestein is less clear. He may known to have simply become king because the population of Northumbria was becoming increasingly intermixed and having a ruler showing greater sympathy come to England in the Danes late 9th century and Christian Anglo-Saxons may have suited everyone in Northumbriadid launch some devastating attacks. He also may have simply succeed normally as any Dane wouldHis role, but the Anglo-Saxons tried to make it look legitimate through the stories of St. Cuthbert selecting him. There is a story that St. Cuthbert's body did not decay andhowever, in the series, he this season is shown as relatively well preservedmore minimal, as focusing on his corpse is used to give support of the new king Guthrum his blessingtwo Norse brothers.<ref>For more on St. CuthbertHaestein, see: MarnerCraughwell, DT.J. & British Library (20002008) <i>St[https://www.amazon. Cuthbertcom/gp/product/1592333036/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1592333036&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=44291a423dc425c1f210eca587ff0e8d How the barbarian invasions shaped the modern world: his life the Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars who razed the old world and cult in medieval Durhamformed the new].</i> Toronto; New YorkBeverly, MA, University of Toronto Fair Winds Press, pg. 199.</ref>

One of the Vikings The story also introduces Osferth, who likely was HasteinAlfred's illegitimate son. The historical records on him do not make it clear, who seems to be a key aid to the leader Norse and in the series, namely the brothers Siegfried and Erikhe is shown as a monk who wants to join Uhtred's warriors. While Siegfried and Erik seem fictionalThere does exist records from Alfred's will that suggests Osferth was a son of Alfred's, Hastein where he is known to have come to England in the late 9th century called kinsman, and did launch he even held some devastating attacks. His role, however, important positions as ealdorman in this season is more minimal, focusing on his support of the two Norse brothershistorical texts.<ref>For more on HasteinOsferth, see: CraughwellAbels, TR.JP. (20081998) <i>How the barbarian invasions shaped [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1138808121/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1138808121&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=011e368cfa6485952d2a7141c26bb10a Alfred the modern worldGreat: the Vikings, Vandals, Hunswar, Mongols, Gothskingship, and Tartars who razed the old culture in Anglo-Saxon England. The medieval world and formed the new].</i> BeverlyHarlow, MAEngland ; New York, Fair Winds PressLongman, pg. 19948.</ref>

===How Accurate is the Story?===Season 2, which focused more heavily on Uhtred's trials as he became a slave, got married to GuthrumGuthrud's sister, and his assistance in taking London and rescuing the Lady Æthelflæd. As this was a period of relatively less conflict, in comparison to Season 1, the series did take more liberties in interpreting historical events. For instance, while Guthrum Guthrud may have come from a famous Viking father and may have been a slave, relatively little is known about how he ruled. In the series, he is shown as a weak and easily pliable king, acting to his own detriment and that of Uhtred's. Alfred marrying his daughter Æthelflæd is shown as an important move to unite Mercia and Wessex. This is historically accurate and it likely did cause tension between the two kingdoms as the former powerful kingdom of Mercia became more closely associated with Wessex. The taking of Lady Æthelflæd is, however, a likely fictional event. In effect, there are not a large number of historical events, but the places, such as Cookham, key events (e.g., taking of London), and some of the key characters (e.g., Guthrud and Osferth) are historical. Because relatively little is known about this period, such as how London was taken, the writers were able to add their own version of events to make it an interesting story.

===Summary===