For the next few years after Wednesfield, Edward spent his time dealing with the Vikings in East Anglia, carrying on the fortified town network started by King Alfred, and working to secure Mercia and reclaim its lost lands with his sister Aethelflaed and her husband, Ealdorman Æthelred (until his death in 911, after which Aethelflaed took direct control of Mercia). Beocca then asks about Edward, and Alfred rushes to go find him, Beocca and Wulfhere follow. She offers him some advice, telling Edward that forcing the people of Mercia to be Wessex will only result in them fighting back. ("Episode 1.7"), Beocca and Wulfhere arrive in the marshes who Alfred greets. With no other option, Alfred hands Edward over to Uhtred. They overcome the Danes and win the battle. ("Episode 4.7"), Ælswith confronts Edward over the bargain he struck with Uhtred. Notice Appeared in Oswald had become a popular saint by the early 10th century (his life is explored in this feature on the battle of Heavenfield). Timothy Innes is an actor, known for The Favourite (2018), The Last Kingdom (2015) and Ashes in the Snow (2018). ("Episode 4.9"), Kingsclere, Wessex; Pyrlig arrives in Kingsclere, where he finds Edward and informs him of the Danes' attack on Winchester and capture of his mother and child. The epithet is applied after his death, in the 10th century. And Brida will also want revenge for her imprisonment at Wealas. Edward calls on Cenric and sends him back to Winchester to have their men brought to Mercia to help rebuild the town. Save over 50% on a gift subscription to their favourite history magazine. They do nothing as Uhtred and his men are attacked. Alfred tells Edward that his actions were worthy of a king and invites him to sit. In spirit, he was King of all Saxons. ("Episode 3.1"), The men of Wessex meet the Mercian guard on the battlefield, where they defeat the Danes and force them to retreat. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. With Witan’s support, Æthelflæd takes the throne. Uhtred surmises that Alfred chose not to announce it so that people could witness the new king, Edward, dispensing justice. Alfred believes the worst at first but Iseult presents the child to Alfred as he has been fully healed. He’s made all Christians proud, and Edward is most grateful. Ludeca explains that the order to keep the gates closed applies to all. Ælswith explains that it’s not that she doubts Uhtred, but rather the fact that he held a blade to Alfred’s throat and threatened to kill him. Edward’s mother and sister force his hand. The official website for BBC History Magazine, BBC History Revealed and BBC World Histories Magazine, Save over 50% on a BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed gift subscription, In season 4 of The Last Kingdom, King Alfred is dead, and his son King Edward plays a leading role in attempting to keep Wessex and Mercia together, while fending off the threat from the Vikings. Edward fears that Burgred continues to speak against him, but Æthelhelm believes him to be no genuine threat. Ludeca admits that Burgred may have been right all along. Which Edward and Æthelflæd did not refuse. Female Aethelflaed and Uhtred ally with the Welsh king Hywel to face Cnut's army of a thousand warriors at the Battle of Tettenhall, hoping that they will be joined by Edward's troops. Æthelflæd claims that Danes are near and it was Hæsten who attacked her. A man of Wessex, he was probably born in the 870s and died in 924. Pyrlig, King Edward, and Steapa approach. The Last Kingdom is in its fourth season on Netflix and some fans were sad to see King Alfred (played by David Dawson) die at the end of season three. ("Episode 4.10"), Winchester, Wessex; Edward leads the Wessex and Mercian armies to breach the front gate to Winchester. They say that Æthelred has 400 men, no match for Cnut’s. Last night, a crucial scene took place in the little town where I grew up. He concedes, and she promises him that she’ll return his troops the moment they’ve secured the northern border. Edward claims that this isn’t true and wishes to see her, but Ælswith refuses. She is the second wife of King Edward, the daughter of ealdormanÆthelhelm, and the mother of Ælfweard. Beocca speaks in favor of Uhtred as well. Æthelflæd now has enough men to fight Edward. Ludeca advises they close the gate to prevent any more sick villagers from entering. Ælswith refuses her help and tells Iseult to get out of her sight. And rumor has it that Eadith helped her escape. He does so after some convincing, as does Sigtryggr. Ælswith, Æthelflæd, and Aldhelm enter the room and question when the king intends to act. He fears a great battle now will result in defeat. Edward, Æthelhelm, and Cenric enter despite being unwelcome and the Witan proceeds. King Edward explains that he will set the terms, not anyone else. It’s future will be secured through unions. ("Episode 4.10"), Edward reveals to Uhtred that his mother is ill and that she can no longer care for Æthelstan. However, Æthelhelm disagrees with calling off the ceremony. One who will stand shoulder to shoulder with their allies in Wessex. Edward retorts that his father is gone. Pyrlig questions what else Sigtryggr must want. Ludeca takes lead. Sigtryggr then shows that he has both of Edward’s heirs. Edward then informs her that it’s too late as his sister is already marching to Tettenhall. He made a whore of a young girl and left her pupped. King Hywel then reveals that Pyrlig offered them the spoils of battle in return for their assistance. Edward orders Aldhelm to tell Sigtryggr to surrender or he will burn them all. ("Episode 4.3"), Ælswith joins King Edward, Lord Æthelhelm, Ælflæd, and Pyrlig at the table and asks if they’ve heard about Cnut and how he continues to burn villages from Tofeceaster to Fagranford. He only wants to maintain the bond. ("Episode 3.10"), Winchester, Wessex; Lord Æthelhelm informs King Edward and Pyrlig that Cnut is leaving for Irland to help a cousin, Sigtryggr, who’s besieged there. He also only holds the position until a younger Ealdormen can come of age and Lady Ælfwynn is old enough to marry. Uhtred hides himself with a shield and approaches Edward while remaining concealed. Edward tells Uhtred that he’s free to go. Edward of Wessex is a main character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. Uhtred wants 1,000 men and he will give them Beamfleot and peace. Edward then realizes that Cnut is trying to draw him out into the open. Edward’s army confronted them at Wednesfield near Tettenhall, defeated the invaders, and sent them back behind the Humber. Edward wants Uhtred to teach Æthelstan how to be a warrior, all he knows of the Danes and Northumbria. Æthelhelm explains that the Mercian Guard is loyal to Eardwulf. While he is willing to pay the wergild as punishment, he can’t swear himself to Edward. She was Æthelred the Unready's daughter, who was the son of Edgar the Peaceful, who was the son of Edmund I, and who's father was Edward the Elder. Pyrlig grows uncomfortable with the talk of Ludeca’s betrothal to Edward’s niece and leaves. Edward tells her to leave him alone. ("Episode 3.1"), Edward attends the hearing for Uhtred after it is discovered that he desecrated his wife's grave. Gender The Saxons defeat the Danes, and Edward returns to Wessex, expanding the chronicle started by his father. The Last Kingdom features some of the most famous and influential figures from the early years of England, incorporating them into the fictional story of its lead character, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. For all of Edward's family, see below. As for Lord Æthelred, no one knows if he’s dead or alive. Edward reminds Ludeca that his mother is Mercian in blood and defied him by sending troops to help them. ("Episode 4.10"), Uhtred, Æthelflæd, Edward and Sigtryggr go to the hall to negotiate. She reveals that she was imprisoned, but Edward sent no such command. S1 ("Episode 3.5"), Edward tells Alfred that he’s given his word to Uhtred to expect an army at Beamfleot. His son Aethelstan continued to expand his father’s power base and styled himself the king of England after extending control over Northumbria. Ælswith is tired of fighting and only wishes to see Æthelflæd, who Edward reveals is somewhere in Mercia with Uhtred. Young Uhtred watches angrily before leaving. ("Episode 3.8"), Edward and Æthelflæd learn that their father has died from his illness during the late hours of the night. As for who to betroth her to, Edward thinks that instead of making a bond with the Ealdormen, they should find a way to break them. The Last Kingdom season 5: Edward is king (Image: Netflix) He was only just getting used to his new position when he was thrown into the deep end, sending an … They find Uhtred watching over Iseult and Edward. He’s lived in his father’s shadow but now he sees the light. She instructs him to continue to care for Mercia and find the right match for her granddaughter, and peace will come. Black Edward explains that forging an alliance with Mercia means everything. Edward returns to Winchester to discuss the matter in which he led the Wessex guard into battle against his father’s wishes. Edward saves his sister as she is surrounded by Danes, killing Jackdaw with an arrow. He gives Uhtred a day to answer him. With Æthelred gone, the people of Mercia expect King Edward to protect them. Perhaps Edward should be unifying the kingdoms himself instead of having a child do it for him. He can help Edward fulfill his father’s dream of a united land if King Edward gives him men to retake Bebbanburg. Burgred will do so gladly. Edward declares that Alfred’s pardon stands and that Uhtred is a free man. This is a signal of intention. He will take Eoferwic and agree never to enter Wessex, Mercia, or East Anglia. Uhtred arrives and explains that skills should first be learned through fighting with staffs, not swords. Uhtred then exits with Alfred as his hostage, but the King returns to the hall and orders Uhtred to be killed. Edward could even give Uhtred the troops he needs to retake Bebbanburg. Unfortunately, the fugitives haven’t been located. It is the same capital that King Edward (Timothy Innes) spent nearly the entire season fortifying, only to have it fall into the hands of Danish warlord Sigtrygrr (Eysteinn Sigurdarson). Edward’s tried to find a solution for Mercia that respects them and keeps order, but events have turned against him. There are people there who may wish him ill. Ælswith would like to take charge of Æthelstan and take him to Bedwyn and raise him there, as she raised Edward. Or to Æthelhelm’s point, a ploy to pander to the simple folk of Mercia. Aldhelm advises Edward against approaching the gate, but he does so, with Aldhelm and the Wessex army behind him. The Last Kingdom season five will be coming to Netflix in the near future and the series will pick up from the siege at Winchester. ("Episode 4.6"), Ælswith arrives in Aegelesburg but the gates remain closed. Ælflæd of Wessex (before, Ælflæd of Wiltshire) is a supporting character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. ("Episode 1.8"), Winchester, Wessex; Edward is training to fight with swords by Steapa whilst Alfred and Ælswith watch. Despite the Witan accepting him as their Lord, Uhtred believes there to be someone better suited to rule. Where Brida and the Danes await. They must choose a leader to defend. Edward tells Cenric to not speak of this to anyone. Ælswith would like to thank Uhtred for his actions. Novel Series Cenric reports that Uhtred was seen on the road with a number of children. And so, Edward orders that the gates be shut. Æthelhelm schemes to his own plans, Ælswith adds. Uhtred knows that Sigtryggr wants him dead, so he proposes that he give himself up as Sigtryggr might want the man who has come to be known as the Dane Slayer. As long as Æthelflæd is ruler, she promises Edward he will have her support. Æthelwold approaches Edward after his training and informs him that certain Ealdormen would rather see him dead than rise to king. Æthelred has ridden into Daneland and ravages East Anglia. He believes that Eardwulf is simply devoted to himself and would risk the bad air for treasure. Uhtred informs the king that Cnut has brought his sons over from his homeland, which means he has ambition here. While she doesn’t like Uhtred, it may be the only compromise. He proposes this strengthens their union. Residence He went north and allied with the Vikings there. He tells Steapa to not allow him to win. There seems to be a problem, please try again. Cnut will hear of them going to Hywel and will think them weak. ("Episode 4.5"), They discover that Æthelred is dead. He blames Steapa’s death on Æthelflæd’s ambition to be loved by all and chronicled for her bravery. It would bring a fighting force under Edward’s command. The triumvirate of father, son, and grandson in the form of Alfred, Edward and Aethelstan laid the foundations of England as single polity. Uhtred makes his presence known. Family ("Episode 4.4"), Ælflæd interrupts Edward’s prayer and tells him to come to bed and that God is guiding him. He tells everyone to form a line and they will be given what is needed. Æthelflæd and Ælswith watch from above. Edward urges any of them with the audacity to lay hand on a king and remove him from the hall. But right now, the crown is the only thing of importance. He hopes that he and Ælflæd can find happiness. Æthelflæd pleads with Ludeca to oppose this plan, but he can’t as it offers stability. He states that only a king can deny a king, and by Alfred’s decree, Uhtred is a free man. She then orders Edward and Cenric to open the gates for Uhtred as there’s no need for conflict. She now travels south with her army. However, Ælswith denies his claim. Cause of Death His son, Aethelstan, succeeded him. He saw Æthelflæd leaving Winchester. the last kingdom: was uhtred at the battle of beamfleot? He accused Edward of orchestrating the sickness and closing off the city, leaving them without food or guards. Beocca and Pyrlig take Edward to find Uhtred and Æthelflæd as he has a proposition to offer. We all are aware that The Last Kingdom has been renewed for Season 5 at Netflix this year. Æthelwold objects and continues to argue that Edward is nothing more than an ætheling and such decisions aren’t his to make, but no one appears concerned by his claims. He threatens that the Witan will separate from Wessex. Timothy Innes joined the cast of The Last Kingdom during its most recent season, season 3, assuming the pivotal role of Prince Edward.