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[[File:LastKingdom.jpg|thumbnail|220px250px|left|<i>The Last Kingdom</i>]]__NOTOC__<i>This article contains spoilers.!!!!!</i>

The Check out our summaries for [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Last Kingdom is a popular television series recently released by the BBC. It depicts the life of Uhtred, son of Uhtred?|Season 2]], who [[How Historically Accurate is a fictional character based on an amalgamation of several historical characters, during the Dane invasions season 3 of England during the 9th century. The events depicted in <i>The Last Kingdom</i> were critical early steps in forging what became England. <i>?|Season 3]] and [[How Historically Accurate is Season 4 of The Last Kingdom</i> is a reference to the Kingdom of Wessex, which was the last Anglo-Saxon kingdom to stand in the way of Dane conquest of England. Uhtred is from Bebbanburgh (modern Bamburgh), a part of Northumbria. The season begins with Uhtred's father being killed in a battle at York, where Uhtred was taken as a slave by the Danes. Uhtred's uncle then usurps the control of Bebbanburgh, where Uhtred was the rightful heir?| Season 4]].

==Anglo-Saxon and Danish History and Culture==The first season begins at Last Kingdom is a battle where popular television series recently released by the invading Danes are victorious against BBC and the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom show has strived to portray an accurate depiction of Northumbria at York. The Danes initially succeeded by slaughtering the garrison in 866 time and then beating back a counterattack in 867. York was the chief city reign of this region and Alfred the Danes needed to capture it to create a foothold in EnglandGreat. The Last Kingdom accurately shows It is based on the type of battle tactics typically used by the Danes. The Danes would have most likely tried to form a shieldwall to entrap their enemy or outmaneuver them.<refi>For a history on the invasion on Northumbria, see[https: Hunter Blair, P//www. Hamazon., com/gp/product/B00LEYI47C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00LEYI47C&linkCode=as2& Keynes, S. (2006). <i>An introduction to Anglotag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5896bb38392fa928ad7836385dccf0d Saxon EnglandTales]</i> (3series written by Bernard Cornwell. edThe first season is drawn from the first two books in the series.The show focuses the life of Uhtred, repr). Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Pressson of Uhtred, pg. 103.</ref> [[File:Winchester 13.jpeg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 1. Modern day Winchesterwho is a fictional character based on an amalgamation of several historical characters, which served as during the main capital Dane invasions of Wessex in England during the Anglo-Saxon period9th century.]]

Some of the The events of conquest are not accurate or not explained, such as the Danish army coming from East Anglia after having landed there first, but the general events are true. depicted in <i>The Danes did fear loosing warriors, as shown Last Kingdom</i> were critical early steps in the series, despite their fierce reputation, as they could not spare loosing too many menforging what became England. On <i>The Last Kingdom</i> is a reference to the other handKingdom of Wessex, which was the last Anglo-Saxons were often shown as weak warriors too dependent on their priests, something Uhtred criticizes, Saxon kingdom to save themstand in the way of Dane conquest of England. There Uhtred is some truth to thisfrom Bebbanburgh (modern Bamburgh), as much a part of the Anglo-Saxon army lacked professional warriorsNorthumbria. However, they were probably able to form The season begins with Uhtred's father being killed in a shieldwallbattle at York, where Uhtred was taken as a form of defense and attack used slave by Medieval armies, whereas The Last Kingdom depicts the Anglo-Saxons as hapless because they were confounded by Danes. Uhtred's uncle then usurps the shieldwall in battle.<ref>For more on Anglo-Saxon fighting methodscontrol of Bebbanburgh, see: Lavelle, R. (2010). <i>Alfred’s wars: sources and interpretations of Anglo-Saxon warfare in where Uhtred was the Viking age</i> Woodbridge: The Boydell Pressrightful heir.</ref>

The Last Kingdom has done very credible job depicting Danes and ====Anglo-Saxons. While the Danes have often been to referred to as Vikings; the show makes it clear that they were more than just Vikings. Saxon and Danish History and Culture==== The Danes willingness of the Danes to settle in England demonstrated that unlike actual Vikings, they did did not want survive simply by raiding.<ref>For background first episode focuses on the Danes, see: Jones, G. (2001). <i>A history of the Vikings</i> (2nd ed). London ; New York: Oxford University Press.</ref> The Danes were are shown as more fun-lovingDanish characters, while they do act cruel to the Anglo-Saxons they are solemn also fun-loving andone of them, at timesEarl Ragner, piousshows much affection to Uhtred. This difference is a result of conflicting faiths of During the first episode, Uhtred's father and his army are slaughtered by the Danes and Anglo-Saxonssoon after they arrive by sea. The Danes at this time were polytheists and first episode portrays the Anglo-Saxons were Christian. The series often depicts these cultural differences between as unprepared for war with the Danes and too dependent on their priests. There is some truth to this, the Anglo-Saxon army lacked professional warriors and the resulting war between these societies as broader conflict between show states that the Christian faith and Danes believed the Danish godsEnglish were primarily farmers. The character In the first battle of Uhtred is used by the show to demonstrate this dichotomy. Uhtred, an the Anglo-Saxon, prefers company with Saxons lost the Danes, but he later swears an oath to Alfred, king battle because they were incapable of Wessex and last remaining Anglo-Saxon kingdefeating a Danish shield wall.

The Danish beliefs did However, the Anglo-Saxon armies most likely were capable of properly forming a shield wall and they would not involve a strict moral code like Christianityhave been completely confounded by it. At timesthis point, the Anglo-Saxons would have been well aware of Danish war tactics, even if they were not well prepared for them. The show ignored this loose moral code has shown that reality because it allowed the Danes as could more playful than lead character, Uhtred, to teach the Anglo-Saxons, but this lack of moral code also has later in the season to both form and defeat a dark sideshield wall. In one scenethis case, the Danes killed the East Anglian king, Edmund, with historical accuracy was sacrificed to create a volley of arrows after he was capturedmore compelling story.<ref>For more on EdmundAnglo-Saxon fighting methods, see: PinnerLavelle, R. (20152010). <i>The Cult [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1843837390/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1843837390&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6a8e3107364e1ba075415588f71b524a Alfred’s wars: sources and interpretations of St Edmond Anglo-Saxon warfare in Medieval East Angliathe Viking age]</i>. Woodbridge, UK: The Boydell Press.</ref> Not only did this event occurThe Last Kingdom has done a very credible job depicting Danes and Anglo-Saxons. While the Danes have often been called as Vikings, but Edmund was canonized for the show makes itclear that they were more than just Vikings. The Danes willingness to settle in England demonstrated that unlike actual Vikings, they did not want to survive simply by raiding. Other Anglo-Saxon leaders are shown as tortured The Danish characters make it clear that they left Denmark because it was inhospitable to farming and murdered when captured there is truth to the fact that climatic events may have also contributed to increased Danish raids and invasions during this would have likely occurred when time.<ref>For background on the Danes captured major leaders, although some would be spared to act as puppet leaderssee: Jones, G. (2001). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192801341/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192801341&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ff5b5676acff27932d33829e68aa84b0 A history of the Vikings]</i> (2nd ed). London ; New York: Oxford University Press. </ref>

Many of the urban places are historical The Danes were not just savage in battle but showed more creativeness and the names used in the series reflects ability to adapt to their new environment. The Anglo-Saxon names. For instanceSaxons could best be described as solemn, London pious and Reading are two cities mentionedfairly dreary. Wessex's primary town was Winchester (Figure 1), where most This difference results from the conflicting faiths of the Wessex kings held court which is depicted in the Danes and Anglo-Saxons. The Danes at this time were polytheists and Anglo-Saxons were Christian. The series.<ref>For more on Winchester in often depicts these cultural differences between the Danes and Anglo-Saxon periodand the resulting war between these societies as a broader conflict between the Christian faith and the Danish gods. This is certainly how Alfred described the struggle and there is historical accuracy, see: Legg, P. (2011). as also described by the <i>Winchester: history you can seeAnglo-Saxon Chronicle</i>, which is the primary historical source. Stroud: HistoryThe character of Uhtred is used to demonstrate this dichotomy.</ref> WinchesterUhtred, in factan Anglo-Saxon, was rival to London for prefers a period as company with the capital Danes, but he later swears an oath to Alfred, king of all of EnglandWessex the last remaining Anglo-Saxon king.

Some of the terms used in the series were words prevalent at the time. This includes terms such as plowing The Danish beliefs did not involve a field having sexual connotationsstrict moral code like Christianity. Another term is <i>arseling</i>At times, used as a this loose moral code allowed the Danes to be more playful or sometimes mocking term than the Anglo-Saxons, but this lack of Uhtred by his friend Leofric, which moral code also would have been has a term used at dark side. In one scene, the time meaning "from Danes killed the assEast Anglian king, Edmund, with a volley of arrows after he was captured. The Danes were testing whether Edmund's god was as powerful as he claimed."<ref>For more on Anglo-Saxon termsEdmund, see: BakerPinner, P. SR. (20122015). Introduction to Old English (3rd ed)<i>The Cult of St Edmond in Medieval East Anglia</i>. Chichester, West Sussex ; HobokenWoodbridge, N.JUK: WileyThe Boydell Press.</ref> Such terms Not only did this event occur, but Edmund was canonized for it. Other Anglo-Saxon leaders are shown as tortured and expressions murdered when captured. The Danes werefairly ruthless when they captured Anglo leaders, in factbut the accurately depicts that some would be spared if they cooperated with the Danes and provided them with food, contemporary to the periodsilver and land.

Many of the urban places are historical and the names used in the series reflects their Anglo-Saxon names. For instance, London and Reading are two cities mentioned. Wessex's primary town was Winchester (Figure 1), where most of the Wessex kings held court which is depicted in the series.<ref>For more on Winchester in the Anglo-Saxon period, see: Legg, P. (2011). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0752455206/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0752455206&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=481f9491450113fd66f98a4456c7bc68 Winchester: history you can see]</i>. Stroud: History.</ref> Winchester, in fact, was rival to London for a period as the capital of all of England.  Some of the terms used in the series were words prevalent at the time. This includes terms such as plowing a field having sexual connotations. Another term is <i>arseling</i>, used as a playful or sometimes mocking term of Uhtred by his friend Leofric, which also would have been a term used at the time meaning "from the ass."<ref>For more on Anglo-Saxon terms, see: Baker, P. S. (2012). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047065984X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=047065984X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9be15e3cc90a4d0002c6a94f24e5cb09 Introduction to Old English]</i> (3rd ed). Chichester, West Sussex ; Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.</ref> Such terms and expressions were, in fact, contemporary to the period.{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====Key Battles====

After the battle at York, several other key battles occur during the series. The first is the battle where Alfred's brother (Æthelred), who was the king of Wessex, dies, although the Anglo-Saxons are successful in temporarily halting the Danish advance. There is truth to Alfred's brother perhaps being injured and killed in battle as depicted in the series. Rather than the son of Æthelred taking power, it was Alfred that was chosen, something unexpected and discussed in the series, as he was seen as more fit to rule. HoweverThis was done through the <i>witan</i>, the which was a council that represented an early democratic selection process where they would choose who would rule as well as pass judgment on various affairs. The battle where Æthelred is fatally injured might be fictionalized or is could be based on several battles where the Anglo-Saxons did have some success in limiting the Danish advances. Still, Wessex failed to stop the Danes completely and had to pay off the Danes for temporary peace. The show depicts the peace conference between King Alfred and Ubba. The character Ubba was a historical figure who did cause much trouble to the Anglo-Saxons.<ref>For more on Alfred, see: Smyth, A. P. (1995). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198229895/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198229895&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2fcf3b5e58c27811cd0a6eb61b0b5615 King Alfred the Great]</i>. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press.</ref>  The next major encounter in the show was the Battle of Cynwit, which occurred in 878. The battle in the series depicts the Danes besieging Wessex's forces led by Odda the Elder. The Danish leader was Ubba, who was killed in the battle. The Danes had surrounded the Anglo-Saxon army on a hill and likely expected them to surrender, as they had little water, but the Wessex army attacked and was able to defeat the Danish army. The Raven banner was taken by the Anglo-Saxon army and it was a major battle in which the Wessex king Alfred did not lead. In the series, the year of the battle is different and the credit for killing Ubba went to Uhtred. However, as shown in the series, it was an important battle for the Wessex kingdom and Odda was the likely leader of Wessex during the battle, where the Anglo-Saxons did, in fact, pull off a surprising victory. In effect, it is likely that the Anglo-Saxons were encamped on the hill during the real battle and made a surprise attack on the Danes. This was a turning point as it now showed the Anglo-Saxons could fight major battles against the Danes and be victorious.<ref>For more on the Battle of Cynwit, see: Jones, G. (2001). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192801341/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192801341&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ff5b5676acff27932d33829e68aa84b0 A history of the Vikings]</i> (2nd ed). London ; New York: Oxford University Press, pg. 238.</ref> <dh-ad/>

The next major encounter Danes also attacked in January 878 the show was the Battle town of CynwitChippenham, which occurred in 878is where Alfred held his court at the time. The battle in the series depicts diverges from reality and has the Danes besieging the Wessex forces led by Odda the Elderattacking Winchester instead. The Danish leader was Ubba, who was killed in the battle. The Danes show had surrounded the Anglo-Saxon army on a hill and likely expected them to surrender, already established Winchester as they had little water, but the capital of Wessex army attacked and were able most likely sought to defeat Danish army. The Raven banner was taken by simplify the Anglo-Saxon army and it was narrative instead of adding a major new location for this battle in which . However, the Wessex king Alfred attack did not leadoccur there. In The events, though, are generally accurate in that the series, Danes did attack in a surprising fashion at the year height of the battle is different winter, a period during when armies rested and the credit for killing Ubba went to Uhtreddid not launch invasions. However, Alfred was depicted as shown in fleeing to the seriesmarshes of Somerset, it where he was an important battle for the Wessex kingdom lucky to escape with his life. This was true and Odda was the likely leader of he did flee after the battle. In effect, to hide from the Anglo-Saxons being up on a hill Danes and were still able to surprise and win he reorganized his forces in the swamps during the battle is accuratespring of that year.<ref>For more on Alfred's flight to the Battle marshes of CynwitSomerset, see: JonesSwanton, GM. (2001Ed.). A history of the Vikings (2nd 2003). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1842120034/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1842120034&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b5fbdbcca650380456541d76d5bb74d3 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles]</i> (New ed., paperback rev. ed., 5. impr). London ; New YorkLondon: Oxford University Phoenix Press, pg. 238.</ref>

The Danes attacked in January 878 next major encounter was the town Battle of ChippenhamEdington (Figure 2), which is where pitted Guthrum of the Danes against Alfred held his court at the time. The series depicts Winchester, the more common capital of Wessex, as Danes had likely assumed Alfred to be significantly weakened after being attackedforced to flee. HoweverThe battle was characterized by Alfred summoning his fyrds, or the attack did not occur there. The eventspopular army from different parts of his kingdom, though, are generally accurate in that gathered to fight the Danes did attack in . This allowed Alfred to create a surprising fashion at greater force and demonstrated he retained the height loyalty of winterhis ealdormen despite his earlier losses. Once again, the ability for the Saxons to muster a period during when armies rested large force and did not launch invasionsan attack likely surprised the Danes. Alfred Egbert's stone was depicted used as the meeting point for the fyrds in the series as well as fleeing to in the chronicles describing the marshes events. In effect, much of Somersetthese events are true historically. The battle, barley escaping with his lifeunlike the series, which was true and he did flee after involved an encounter of the battle to hide from armies where the Danes were driven into a fort and reorganize his forceswere besieged afterward.<ref>For more on Alfred's flight to In the marshes of Somersetseries, see: Swanton, M. (Ed.). (2003). The Anglo-Saxon chronicles (New ed., paperback rev. ed., 5. impr). London: Phoenix Pressthe main battle is only depicted as a pitched encounter and the siege was not shown.</ref>

The next major encounter was the Battle of Edington (Figure 2), which pitted Guthrum of the Danes against Alfred. The Danes had likely assumed Alfred to be significantly weakened after being forced to flee. The battle was characterized by Alfred summoning his fyrds, or the popular army from different parts of his kingdom, that gathered to fight the Danes. This allowed Alfred to create a greater force and demonstrated he retained the loyalty of his ealdormen despite his earlier losses. Egbert's stone was used as the meeting point for the fyrds in the series as well as in the chronicles describing the events. In effect, much of these events are true historically. The battle, unlike the series, involved an encounter of the armies where the Danes were driven into a fort and were besieged afterwards. In the series, the main battle is only depicted and not the siege. In both cases, after Dane leader Guthrum was defeated he was and baptized, as a condition of the peace, and the Danes led his their remaining army away. Eventually, the Danes formed another kingdom called Danelaw that represented areas where the Danes ruled for nearly another 100 years. This was based on a treaty with Alfred, where areas north of Wessex and in East Anglia represented Danelaw. For nowsome years, there was peace between Wessex and the Danes. The result was also Alfred, after this time, builds the Danes boroughs, which were finally fortifications that helped protect Wessex. While relatively simple, these fortifications helped strengthen Wessex and decisively defeatedmade it more difficult for later Danish invasions. Although the invasions against Wessex continued, never to threaten no serious threat ever occurred by Danish forces against Wessex seriously again.<ref>For more on the Battle of Edington, see: Hunter Blair, P. H., & Keynes, S. (2006). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521537770/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521537770&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c7f4a0f8d82609fab94dd2527fcc39ad An introduction to Anglo-Saxon England ]</i> (3. ed., repr). Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, pg. 111</ref> Arguably, this was the battle that may have prevented all of England falling to Danish hands in the 9th century.

====Historical Figures====There are a number of historical figures shown in the series on both the Danish and Anglo-Saxon sides. These include Ubba and Guthrum, who were fearsome Danish warlords, and Alfred (later known as Alfred the Great), Asser the Monk, and the ealdormen of Wessex, including Odda, who are royal officials and regional leaders in Wessex who supported Alfred in war. Other figures such as Ealhswith, Alfred's wife, and Edward, the son of Alfred, were also historical figures.<ref>For more on the key historical characters from this period, see: Savage, Anne (1988). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1842120034/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1842120034&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b5fbdbcca650380456541d76d5bb74d3 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. ]</i> Papermac.</ref>

Many of the personalities and depictions of the known historical figures are accurately presented in the series. For instance, Alfred's piety, digestive problems, and his penchant for women are likely to be true based on known accounts. Alfred, for instance, was rumored to have one illegitimate son, but the sources are not completely clear on this. Ubba, a Danish warlord, was known to be fearsome in battle. However, for the Danes, as historical accounts from their point of view are far fewer, we generally know less about themand sources tend to be biased against them. Wessex, on the other hand, whereas Wessex was known to keep detailed historical records, as shown in the series. In fact, Alfred was known to have encouraged literacy throughout his kingdom.

While the main character Uhtred is not historical, he is based on Uhtred the Bold who lived after the events in the series in the 10th and 11th centuries. As the name suggests, Uhtred was known to have been a brave warrior. In the series, there is a feud between him and his uncle, while who usurped the castle and territory of Bebbenburg (Bamburgh). After his adoptive Danish father is treacherously killed, Uhtred was forced to look to Alfred for assistance. This reflects some of the blood feud stories that did occur during and after the life of Uhtred, even though the events in the series did not outright occur. In effect, later stories were mixed with the period of the Anglo-Saxon wars with the Danes.<ref>For more on Uhtred the Bold, see: James, J. (2013). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0752488724/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0752488724&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=eeafc903047915c1388e06edcb583ddb An onslaught of spears: the Danish conquest of England]</i>.</ref>

====Summary====Like many historical series and movies, there are a lot of untrue events and stories incorporated into the historical period depicted. However, the <i>Last Kingdom </i> does a very good job at incorporating many cultural elements that would have been contemporary at the time, including those involving the behavior of the characters and types of equipment they had during campaigns. Unlike many earlier historical dramas, this one looks more closely at the historical background of the characters, trying to imbue them in a cultural and historical context that would have been familiar to them but still entertaining to 21st -century viewers. The series informs us on upon how England arose as a nation, where its origin emerges at a time when Anglo-Saxon England was threatened as the at its last English throne and was close to being taken by the Danes. The use of a lot of historical facts mixed with fictional events make makes the series informative as well as entertaining.<div class="portal" style='float:left; width:35%'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====* [[How Historically Accurate is the movie Gangs of New York?]]* [[How Historically Accurate is the Outlaw King?]]* [[How Historically Accurate is season 3 of The Last Kingdom?]]* [[How historically accurate is the Medici Masters of Florence Series?]]* [[Is the movie Dunkirk historically accurate?]]* [[How historically accurate is the movie 'The Battle of the Bulge'?]]* [[How historically accurate is the movie 'Tora, Tora, Tora'?]]* [[How historically accurate is the movie 'A Bridge Too Far'?]]* [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Versailles?]]* [[How accurate is the movie Patton?]]* [[How accurate is Stanley Kubrick's 'Spartacus'?]]* [[How Historically Accurate is Season 2 of Last Kingdom?]]* [[How Historically Accurate is Alexander?]]* [[How historically accurate is the Gladiator?]]</div>

====References====

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