The Last Kingdom ended with a stirring ending after 5 seasons of bloody combat and Uthred’s (Alexander Dreymon) struggle to reclaim the kingdom that is his inheritance. The show once again succeeded in blending actual events with works of fiction by novelist Bernard Cornwell, from unheard-of deaths to the decisive battle back at Bebbanburg where it all began. There will still be a movie special called The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die after the Netflix original series’ final season. Here is a detailed analysis of the conclusion and how it prepares the audience for what is to come while we wait for the final chapters.
First and foremost, it’s important to keep in mind the circumstances that forced King Edward (Timothy Innes) and his troops to engage the Scots in battle at Bebbanburg. Aethelhelm (Adrian Schiller) was adamant that his grandson Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks) would succeed to the throne of Wessex for the entirety of Season 5. The king’s father-in-law was to fault for all the violence and sorrow, from persuading the older men to choose his grandson as the heir of Mercia to arranging the peace treaty between the Saxons and Danes by ordering his troops to kill the visionary (resulting in his daughter’s unintentional death). In his final effort to ensure Aelfward’s future, he forms an alliance with King Constantine (Rod Hallett) in exchange for Aelfwynn’s (Phia Saban) hand in marriage in order to battle King Edward.
Uthred is given the assignment to find Aelfwynn inside the fortress as the Saxons approach Bebbanburg’s gates in order to stop the war. However, when King Edward decides to engage the Scots, thinking that since their reinforcements hadn’t yet arrived, the fight would result in an easy win, things do not go as planned. However, King Constantine demonstrates that he is one step ahead when the remainder of his army enters the battle and applies pressure to both sides of the Saxon army until they are a few metres from the cliff’s edge. The situation appears to worsen from there, but Uthred intervenes once more to rescue the day by persuading his daughter Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) and her tribe to fight alongside the Saxons in exchange for the opportunity to live in freedom in Bebbanburg. King Edward’s army defeats the Scots with the aid of the Dane soldiers. In addition, Uthred is ultimately able to defeat his cousin Wihtgar (Ossian Peret) and take possession of Bebbanburg, precisely as he had imagined since the start of the series. Fans who would fear it if the protagonist didn’t get to enjoy his destiny as the owner of that land are calmed by the rain despite a brief burst of flames consuming the castle walls.
While everyone rejoices, King Constantine continues to try to negotiate a peace treaty with Uthred but temporarily drops his demands in exchange for King Edward abdicating his throne in Bebbanburg. We may predict that the sequel will explore the escalating tensions with King Constantine after he decides to challenge Wessex once more, even though a synopsis hasn’t been made public. The news that Bebbanburg won’t be bowing down to him soon displeases the King of Wessex, but he doesn’t launch a counterattack. Since his father’s greatest ambition was to unite the kingdoms into England, he instead feels betrayed by Uthred. The warrior continues, “I believe in England’s future, but not one under King Edward’s rule,” in response.
This prompts us to speculate that the future movie may be about Monarch Edward’s bastard, Aethelstan (Harry Gilby), as he will be the first king to rule over England historically. We have watched the character develop on the battlefield and gradually win Edward’s confidence as a commander over this third and final season of the drama. King Edward clearly preferred his firstborn, despite Aethelhelm’s best efforts to make his grandson the new monarch. Aethelstan would be the ideal contender for the crown, having fought with the Saxons and the Danes under Uthred’s leadership. After all, he had learnt from his mentor to value and accept the differences between the opposing factions.
The movie might also show Uthred getting back in touch with his son Osbert, in addition to emphasising the United Kingdom created by Aethelstan’s efforts (Olly Rhodes). Osbert was raised in a convent by Hild (Eva Birthistle) after his mother Gisela (Peri Baumeister) gave birth to him and passed away in Season 3; he has never known his father. Hild and Osbert are seen leaving the castle in the most recent episode, suggesting that Uthred would have more screen time in the follow-up now that he is the Lord of Bebbanburg. We can expect another enthralling link between the warrior and his long-lost son if Uthred’s relationships with Stiorra and Young Uthred (Finn Elliot) are any indication of his ability as a father.
The series finale lays the stage for an even more dramatic conclusion in the near future, despite the fact that there is still a lot of speculation about what will happen in The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die. “The fantasy of England has never been closer,” Edward says in Season 5. Now that he isn’t necessarily on good terms with Wessex, Uthred will have numerous difficulties in the future with two kings fighting over areas, including Bebbanburg. It would be interesting to see how the dynamics change from fighting on their side to now fighting to maintain their land. As well as learning more about Osbert and how his character will play a crucial part in this last chapter, it will be a treat to finally see King Alfred’s (David Dawson) wish come true through his grandson Aethelstein. Overall, even if there are a lot of reasons to be excited for the movie, it will undoubtedly be difficult for fans to say goodbye to this amazing story.
Netflix offers streaming of The Last Kingdom seasons 1–5.
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