The Saxon-Viking wars depicted in The Last Kingdom are more than background conflict. They are central to the story’s identity, shaping the motivations of its characters and reflecting the political and military turbulence of 9th and 10th century England. Based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories, the series blends historical events with fictional elements, tracing the struggle between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the encroaching Norsemen.
The Historical Setting
By the time The Last Kingdom begins, England is not yet unified. It is a patchwork of competing kingdoms: Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria. Viking raiders, primarily Danes, had been attacking coastal settlements for decades before they began to settle and carve out territory. Their conquests led to the establishment of the Danelaw, an area under Norse control where Scandinavian law, customs, and language held sway.
Wessex, under King Alfred, became the last true Saxon bulwark. His efforts to resist and eventually reconquer lands from the Danes laid the groundwork for a united England. This tension between Norse expansion and Saxon resistance provides the dramatic core of the series.
Uhtred and the Blurred Lines of Loyalty
At the heart of the show is Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a fictional character caught between two worlds. Born a Saxon noble but raised by Danes, Uhtred personifies the cultural and emotional conflicts that the wars created. While his loyalty often lies with the people who raised him, his claim to his ancestral home draws him back into the Saxon fold.
Uhtred’s allegiances shift throughout the series, reflecting the instability of the period. His uneasy relationships with Alfred, Edward, Aethelflaed, and others highlight the complex political negotiations that went hand-in-hand with open warfare.
Warfare and Strategy
The battles in The Last Kingdom are brutal, grounded, and often tactical. Shield walls, ambushes, and siege warfare are common, and the series generally avoids romanticising combat. These battles are not just spectacles but turning points that decide the fate of kingdoms.
Key engagements like the Battle of Ethandun are based on real events. In 878, King Alfred defeated the Danish army led by Guthrum, forcing a truce and Christian conversion. Though The Last Kingdom takes creative liberties, it captures the high stakes of such moments with authenticity.
The Role of Religion and Identity
Christianity plays a critical role in the Saxon resistance. Alfred sees the unification of England not just as a political mission but a divine one. His vision of a Christian nation under a single crown contrasts sharply with the pagan traditions of the Danes, even as many Norse warriors begin to convert, often for strategic reasons.
Uhtred’s rejection of Christianity, despite fighting alongside Christian rulers, serves as a counterpoint. He values the old gods and the strength of personal honour over doctrine. This ideological tension is ever-present and reflects the broader cultural shifts occurring in England at the time.
Accuracy and Interpretation
The Last Kingdom is not a documentary, but it makes an effort to anchor its fictional narrative in real history. Figures like Alfred the Great, Aethelflaed, Edward the Elder, and King Cnut all existed. The political manoeuvring, religious undertones, and military campaigns are inspired by recorded history, even if adapted for drama.
Where it diverges most is in the personal relationships and specific events surrounding Uhtred. Still, the show’s portrayal of divided loyalties, cultural assimilation, and the slow emergence of a unified English identity remains broadly faithful to the historical mood.
Legacy and Impact
The Saxon-Viking wars shaped the foundation of the English nation. The Last Kingdom captures this transformation with energy and nuance. It shows that unity did not arrive through a single battle or leader, but through a long, bloody, and often uncertain series of events involving many actors with conflicting goals.
By weaving together documented history and character-driven storytelling, the series invites viewers to understand how fragile the idea of England once was, and how it came to be forged through both war and compromise.
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