If The Last Kingdom season three all seems a bit fuzzy in your memory, ahead of the new episodes arriving on Netflix, here’s a recap in brief:
After Uhtred’s wife Gisela died in childbirth, he faced a new pair of Danish villains in warrior Bloodhair and his witch/lover Skade, who placed a curse on Uhtred. Until it was lifted, Uhtred refused to pursue a romantic relationship with Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed, despite their mutual attraction. Skade eventually killed Bloodhair, and Uhtred killed Skade, lifting the curse.
King Alfred banished Uhtred from Wessex for killing a holy man. He seized his property and stole his children to raise as Christians. Uhtred joined his Danish brothers but abandoned them to rescue Aethelflaed from men that her husband Aethelred, Lord of Mercia had sent to kill her. Before his death, Alfred pardoned Uhtred and returned his lands, and Uhtred agreed to advise Edward, much to Queen Aelswith’s displeasure.
The king’s nephew Aethelwold joined the Danes in the attack on Wessex. He stoked xenophobic unrest in Wessex, which led to Father Beocca’s wife Thyra being killed. Aethelwold plotted with Ragnar’s cousin Jarl Cnut (unbeknownst to Brida, who later became Cnut’s lover) and murdered Ragnar in his sleep. Uhtred killed Aethelwold in battle with the Danes, letting Ragnar pass into Valhalla.
Alfred died of an illness, making Edward king of Wessex. Edward was married off to the daughter of wealthy Lord Aethelhelm, his secret commoner wife and children having been spirited away by his mother Aelswith and the church. Edward successfully defended Wessex from the Danish army with the help of the armies of Mercia and Kent.
All that, and Uhtred still didn’t get to Bebbanburg to fight his usurping uncle Aelfric and get back his father’s fortress. Maybe next time, Uht.
Battle Participation[]
This list shows the battles Æthelwold has participated in:
Why isn’t Aethelwold chosen to be the King of Wessex?
Aethelwold’s father, Aethelred (Alec Newman) was the king until his untimely death in battle. His father never considered him a truly suitable heir to follow after him because Aethelwold is preoccupied with other things such as women and strong drinks. Alfred is chosen to lead Wessex after his brother dies, and Aethelwold takes this slight and nurtures it for years. He wants nothing more than to take the throne for himself and he even chooses to ally himself with the Danes to do it.
Aethelflaed – a true leader of Mercia
When King Alfred called on Lord Aethelred of Mercia to supply troops to help defend Wessex against the Danes, Aethelred refused. Not taking that for an answer, his wife Lady Aethelflaed (Alfred’s daughter) led Mercia’s troops to aid Wessex herself, proving herself – unlike her husband – a strong and popular leader. In retaliation for the blot on his character, Aethelred plotted to entrap Aethelflaed into adultery so that he could publicly denounce her, but when that failed, he ordered his advisor Aldhelm to murder her.
Aldhelm, recognising that Aethelflaed was a stronger leader of Mercia than her husband, informed her of the plan and shifted allegiance, protecting her. She escaped to a nunnery and sent for Uhtred’s help when it was attacked, confessing her feelings for him when he rescued her. Believing himself cursed by a witch, Uhtred refused her for her own protection.
FAQ
How does Aethelwold lose his eye?
People viewed him as a traitor and that could have meant death. Fortunately, he managed to talk his way out of death but there was punishment. He was blinded in one eye.
Does Aethelwold become king?
Was Aethelwold a real person?
As the son of King Aethelred I of Wessex, who ruled before Alfred, Aethelwold had a legitimate claim to the throne and some felt that he was the rightful ruler.
Who kills Uhtred?