Louisa Mellor | The Last Kingdom: Who is Leofric, Lord of Mercia? He hoped Uhtred would tell him the whereabouts of Aelfwynn, who was in hiding with Stiorra, but Uhtred didnt break. To which Sigtryggr retorts theyd still be there if they were truly so great. A group of nobles conspired to assassinate thelred in April 796 and he was succeeded by Osbald: Osbald's reign lasted only twenty-seven days before he was deposed and Eardwulf became king on 14 May 796. She saw the error of her brother's ways and decided to help Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) and his friends instead. Before you dive into the new episodes, heres what to remember. And there were Edwards two sons, half-brothers Aethelstan and Aelfweard, both potential future Kings with different parties scheming to put each on the throne. But he eventually recognized Uhtreds value and entrusted him to protect his first son, Aethelstan (Caspar Griffiths). However, Eardwulf wont deny the wishes of the king. Knowing he needed to take action fast, he murdered Aethelred, who was already on his deathbed. The Last Kingdom Cast on the New Big Bad: Brida is Fierce in Season Five, The Last Kingdom Season 5 Cast: Meet the New Characters, The Last Kingdom Season 4 Ending Explained. Eardwulf reveals to Brida, Sigtryggr, and the Danes that after Tettenhall, Edward believes the Danes no longer hold a threat. As well as several skirmishes, there were two big fights: the Battle of Tettenhall and the Siege of Winchester. Eadith abandoned her brother to help Lady of Mercia Aethelflaed (Millie Brady), Uhtred and his friends stayed out of harm's way. Eardwulf returns and asks his sister if the king blames him for their late return. His son Eanred and grandson thelred (II) ruled Northumbria for most of its remaining existence as an independent kingdom.[56]. It was at Tettenhall that Brida killed her partner Cnut, after learning that he had colluded in the murder of her true love Ragnar. The Last Kingdom season 5: Will Aethelstan become king. "Episode 1.2" ("Episode 4.9"), Outside Winchester, Wessex; Brida orders the Danes to dig up the bodies of dead Wessex men. Uhtred then picks up thelreds ring off the ground. [26], Eardwulf appears to have been an enemy of thelred I. Photo courtesy of Netflix. Tuesday, 2nd May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. The following year, Ealhmund, "the son of King Alhred, as some say",[37] was killed by Eardwulf's men. Steapa, a long-time ally of Alfreds family, killed by Danes at Tettanhall. Eardwulf of mercia was a supporting character in both the saxon stories novel series, and the last kingdom television series. He promised thelfld that he would not act without her. Eardwulf steals thelreds ring off his finger and leave. After the defeat of the Norse army, the two armies negotiate that the Norse will be allowed to leave forIrlandunhindered, as neither army has enough men for a good victory. Eardwulf agrees that they shouldnt, claiming he did all he could to convince the king to return sooner. (assumed) Eardwulf believes their in need of a peacemaker, someone to unite the divisions. At length, with the advice of the bishops and chiefs of the Angles on either side, they made peace through the kindness of the king of the Angles. [43] Issues of new currency appear to have been limited under Eardwulf, and significant numbers of Northumbrian coins are not again attested until the reign of Eardwulf's son Eanred. Last Kingdom season 5: Will Sihtric have a major role in new series? [36] Moll's name has suggested that he was a kinsman of the late King thelred, whose father was thelwald Moll. Brida wanted to kill Uhtred, and was disgusted when Sigtryggr stopped her and negotiated a truce. The Last Kingdom season 5: Will The Last Kingdom have a season 5? While Northumbria lacks the body of charters which shed light on the institutions of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, sufficient evidence survives for historians to reconstruct some aspects of Northumbrian political life. The Last Kingdom is available to watch on Netflix now. One said: "The story makes absolutely no sense. As for Eardwulf, when they return to Aegelesburg, the king will have him publicly castrated. To lift the kings decree that every generation be born into disgrace. The evidence as regards the deposition of kings is equally limited. As Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders, Uhtred -- born a Saxon but raised by Vikings -- seeks to claim his ancestral birthright. Last Kingdom season five could definitely be on the cards for Netflix as season four ended with many unanswered questions. Eardulf was taken prisoner, and conveyed to Ripon, and there ordered by the aforesaid king [thelred] to be put to death without the gate of the monastery. Eardwulf was married by the time he became king, though his wife's name is not recorded. [EXPLAINER]. During the siege of Winchester, Aethelhelm poisoned Lady Aelswith, and in the seasons final moments, she lay gravely unwell. Once thelred leaves, Eadith questions if what her brother says is true. The fourth outing welcomed the antagonistic Eardwulf (played by Jamie Blackley), who was the brother of Eadith. "The Last Kingdom" Cause of Death One of the new characters introduced to season four was Eadith (played by Stefanie Martini), the sister of Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley). Also, Cnut's armies have raided Mercia and taken the kings palace at Aegelesburg. ("Episode 4.2"), Kings Lynn,East Anglia; Eadith tells Eardwulf that she has no choice but to act the part of the kings whore. She travelled with Uhtred and his followers to Winchester, where Uhtred attempted to help King Edward (Timothy Innes) defeat the Viking warlord Sigtryggr (Eysteinn Sigurarson). However, he was able to become the commander of Lord thelred 's household troops. He proposes that Eardwulf be that man as opposed to Ludeca. Archaeologists from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU)'s newly-formed Cultural Heritage . Grahame Fox He left them to face the Danes alone. [40], This settlement ended open warfare, but Eardwulf was deposed in 806, in unknown circumstances. ', Linguist rages in GMB accent row as expert says 'its offensive', The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf was killed off, The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf was an antagonist. "He knocked Eardwulf out cold, he held a knife to my throat, and he told me that if I did not go to the king today and . On the border of Mercia and East Anglia, thelred tells Eardwulf that soon all the land will belong to Mercia. The Ealdormen eventually selected Uhtred, despite his objections, citing his Mercian heritage as their reason for choosing him. When the Dane army was ultimately defeated, Brida was left at Uhtreds mercy. King Edward, Lord thelhelm, and Ludeca agree that the union between Mercia and Wessex is critical. READ MORE:Last Kingdom: How old will Uhtred be in season 5? He first appears in the historical record circa 790, when Symeon of Durham reports that:[27]. When the Dane army was defeated at Tettenhall, Brida begged Uhtred to kill her before she could be dishonoured by being taken prisoner. Nelson, "Carolingian Connections", p. 137139. Eardwulf was acting as Athelred's military commander, but Aethelred quickly lost faith in him after he relayed a fake message about the Danes' whereabouts. [5] At the head of the Northumbrian church was the Archbishop of York, an office held by Eanbald I to 796, Eanbald II until some time after 808, and then by Wulfsige to around 830. Wormald, "The Age of Offa and Alcuin", p.101. The village woman asks if the warriors he speak of brought the sickness. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. There are 13 novels in Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom series. Ealdormen of Mercia vie for control of the land. He orders Eardwulf to seize the land to the north until he reaches the sea. However, that is no concern of hers. Another fan said on Twitter: "I'm on the second to last episode of The Last Kingdom and all I want is for Eadith to be happy and safe.". If she is to remain one of the main characters in the fifth season, she may become the antagonist once more. Edward tells Cenric to not speak of this to anyone. The Last Kingdom season 5: Does Sigtryggr die in The Last Kingdom? [32], Eardwulf became king on 14 May 796. In The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, the novel series The Last Kingdom is based on, Stiorra is described as tall and having her mother's face. Northumbria in the last years of the eighth century was the scene of dynastic strife between several noble families: in 790, king thelred I attempted to have Eardwulf assassinated. Novel Series Ahead of season fives arrival, heres the rest of the main action to remember, from enmities forged to deaths and battles. He remembers Brida from the Battle of Tettenhall and how she was humiliated. Meaning Eardwulf was tricked by Hsten, who gave him false information. Eardwulf had taken on the role of Aethelred's commander, meanwhile, Eadith was acting as his mistress to win him over. Eardwulf (commander of Aethelred's household troops played by Jamie Blackley) meets with Haesten, who advises the King of Mercia to invade East Anglia and add it to his kingdom while the Danes . The evidence of Northumbrian coinage is particularly valuable in the ninth century, when contemporary written evidence all but disappears. Eardwulf then saves Edward from an incoming attack after Steapa is killed protecting him. Eardwulf and his men pursue Uhtred's party as it flees through a countryside ravaged by disease. Brida finds solace in the faith of . [18] According to the thirteenth-century chronicler Roger of Wendover, Eardwulf was replaced by King lfwald II, about whom nothing else is known from the written sources, although coins issued in his reign have survived. The Last Kingdom season 3: Was Skade real? Eardwulf becomes enraged. Instead, Uhtred rode with a small party to win his land back from his uncle Aelfric (Joseph Millson). [35], Two further challenges to Eardwulf are recorded within the next two years, both apparently from among the noble lines that had been fighting for the throne over the previous decades. Jamie Blackley as Eardwulf in 'The Last Kingdom' season 4 episode 5. The Last Kingdom won't get a season six, but Uhtred's story will continue in a Netflix film. Edward fears that his sister will not mourn her husband. Aethelred's wife Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) took over as ruler of Mercia, so he had no hope of gaining back honour. Punishment for his greed and ambition. "Hiding information from your lord, and then killing that lord, would be absolutely devastating to your fama and honor, especially if you were already from a family that had been disgraced in the past. Burgred believes this to be thelreds time of judgement. Charlemagne initially ruled Francia and parts of Italy, but by 796 had become master of an empire which stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Hungarian Plain. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that he was consecrated by Eanbald I, Archbishop of York, and Bishops thelberht, Beadwulf and Hygebald, at York Minster on 26 May 796. He was a staunch defender of the Papacy, and in the popes and the church hierarchy he had allies whose influence extended to Northumbria and beyond. The Last Kingdom season 5: What happened to Mildrith? lswith warns them that her son will burn them all to the ground before he concedes any of Wessex land. The Mercian Guard is loyal to Eardwulf and the Ealdormen are against the king. Eardwulf of Mercia was a supporting character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. Father Beocca sacrificed his life to save Uhtreds son by jumping in front of Whitgars arrow. Edward was late to bring troops to the decisive Battle of Tettenhall, forcing Father Pyrlig and Aethelflead to sneak out of Wessex to raise the Welsh army and the Saxon fyrds. [24] Historian Barbara Yorke has proposed that he was a descendant of one Eanwine who (according to Symeon of Durham) was killed in 740 on the orders of King Eadberht. Throughout the season, he also refused Uhtreds advice and declined to help him regain his childhood land. Before more lives were lost, Uhtred stopped the fighting and negotiated an exchange with Sigtryggr: Edward and Aethelflaed would give him the Northern city of Eoforwic/York (which Aethelflaed had just regained from the Danes) in exchange for Winchester. Season four welcomed brother and sister Eadith and Eardwulf, who had been introduced to overthrow Aethelred (Toby Regbo). Vikings: Are Vikings and The Last Kingdom linked? Eardwulf does as told and takes thelfld to a room. [49], Recent studies, based on the discovery of a penny of Eanred for which a date no earlier than c. 850 is proposed, suggest a very different dating for ninth-century Northumbrian kings. Offa, the greatest of the three, ruled Mercia until 796, followed soon after by Coenwulf. [54] According to a medieval calendar of saints, the Benedictine monks at Breedon celebrated Hardulph's feast day on 21 August. [3] The title patricius is usually translated as patrician, which ultimately means noble, but in the latter days of the Roman Empire represented a high-ranking position, second only to the emperor. Lady Aelswith saw Lord Aethelhelms true nature and decided to right a wrong from her past. Eadith could see how power-hungry her brother was becoming, and she started to turn against him. At one point, Edward imprisoned his sister, mother and Uhtred, who was tortured at Lord Aethelhelms behest. Edward questions what are the Mercian Guard's thoughts on the succession should thelred die. Eardwulf's sister, Eadith, is captured. "The Last Kingdom" Uhtred outwits his opponent and forces Eardwulf to flee with only a handful of troops. There is an advantage in this, so the king can return to Mercia a hero. He heeds Eadiths warning and leaves. However, he was able to become the commander of Lord thelred's household troops. And so, Eardwulf pays him. . Eardwulf suggests they leave quietly, before the Ealdorman can disapprove. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 The Saxon Stories 1.2 The Last Kingdom 1.2.1 Season 1 2 Appearances 2.1 The Saxon Stories 2.2 The Last Kingdom 3 Trivia Biography In "The Empty Throne", Eardwulf, whosesisteris thelred's lover, commands thelred's household warriors. The evidence for Northumbria survives largely in Latin documents, and these use the words dux and patricius to describe the leading noblemen of the kingdom. Tensions rise between Edward and the Mercians. Denied troops by King Edward, Uhtred had taken a small raiding party north to regain his rightful land from his usurping uncle Aelfric. She will be at Tettenhall, where she plans to lure Cnut. The Succession of Mercian. This list shows the victims Eardwulf has killed: Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Ethelwich The Last Kingdom MAP: Where is Ethelwich? Eventually, they installed Uhtred as Mercian leader against his will, citing his Mercian mother and military experience. He orders Eardwulf to have thelfld continued until all this is settled. Eadith (Stefanie Martini), Aethelreds mistress, saw Eardwulf kill Aethelred, forcing Eardwulf to flee from Mercia and join up with Brida and Sigtryggr. Monks are leaving with silver to bargain for his heart. She was last seen heavily pregnant, alone, and vowing to be Uhtreds ultimate undoing. He reports to thelred that he met a Danish spy who revealed that Cnut is taking his warriors from East Anglia and heading to Irland, leaving their women and children in undefended settlements. He reveals to Brida that Eardwulf works to his own plan and they need to be of one mind. There is magic in Serpent-Breath, Ealdwulf had his own spells that he would not tell Uhtred, the spells of the smith he said; when he gifts the sword to Uhtred, he whispers, "and one day, you will kill Danes with it.". Finan tells thelstan to run into the trees when the fighting starts and Sihtric hands him a knife. [2], This record of disputed succession was by no means unique to Northumbria, and the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex experienced similar troubles during the eighth and ninth centuries. Eardwulf asks her to stop, as it is clear sacrilege. [53] The panels, which may originally have been the outer part of a sarcophagus built to hold the remains of a high status person such as Saint Hardulph, are dated by their similarity to the illustrations in the Book of Cerne to the first third of the ninth century. While there, Brida kidnapped Uhtreds daughter, Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) and attempted to behead her. Last Kingdom: Eadith grew attached to Aethelflaed's. However, Eardwulf explains that theyve had word from Lady thelfld. Alive It makes absolutely zero sense. Such treatment only deepened her prejudices. The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf betrayed Aethelred, The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf was Eadith's brother. Wada was defeated and driven into exile. 1 episode (see below) ("Episode 4.9"), lswith, thelstan, Stiorra, thelhelm, lfld, and lfweard are taken to Brida, Sigtryggr, and Eardwulf. The Last Kingdom cancelled: Why is the series ending after season 5? [47], The Frankish source is clear that Eardwulf was "returned to his kingdom",[48] but surviving Anglo-Saxon sources have no record of a second reign. Eardwulf was eventually forced to flee Mercia, and joined up with Danes Brida and Sigtryggr who eventually killed him after learning of his treachery. He is wounded, unconscious, and the back of his head is split open. [31] thelred was followed as king by Osbald, whose antecedents are unknown; he was deposed after twenty-seven days and fled to the land of the Picts with a few supporters. He came from a disgraced noble family of Mercia who lost all of their influence, land, and power. Please note this article contains spoilers. We met Uhtreds grown-up children Young Uhtred and Stiorra respectively a Christian cleric and a passionate Dane. Eadith screams out from the crowd for them to have mercy. He claims that the Danish have been loading ships for three days, leaving the land they fought so hard for. She managed to distract his men before killing them and cutting down Uhtred and his friends to free them. Eardwulf got his comeuppance during the Winchester siege, when Sigtryggr ordered for him to be killed. Spoilers! [34], Although thelred had been Eardwulf's enemy, thelred's killers proved to be equally hostile to Eardwulf. ("Episode 1.2"). Uhtred refuses, and just before he is about to fight Eardwulf, the Lady thelfld arrives and commands Eardwulf return to Gloucester. The king will simply think that Eardwulf died in battle. She detests him however. At the end of the season, she started to form a strong friendship with Finan (Mark Rowley) who helped tend to her wounds after the battle. The Last Kingdom Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. The historian Alan Thacker estimates that there were about eight men holding the title of dux in late Northumbria. The Last Kingdom season 5: What happens to Stefanie Martini as Eadith? Northumbria [20] If this is correct she must have been illegitimate, as the marriages of all the legitimate daughters are known. They said: "Reputation and honor are a huge thing. Eardwulf informs Sigtryggr that they will have the town soon enough. He may have hoped to restore Osbald to the throne. If the Lady thelfld throws herself into the paths of the Danes, it will leave a path open for Eadith, but she has no desire to be married to a husband who used to be king. Eardwulf replies that for a whore, his sister lacks ambition. The Last Kingdom season 5: Will Uhtred kill Brida in series finale? ("Episode 4.9"). However, Eardwulf knows how to defeat Edward. Fans have taken to Reddit to discuss Eardwulf's role in the series, with some saying they were left confused. One fan offered an explanation as to why Eardwulf met his ultimate demise. He fought alongside some of the men. The childhood friends and former lovers ended the season as sworn enemies, thanks to Bridas unswerving dedication to Danish supremacy and what she saw as her gods-given mission to defeat Saxon foes. However, when his marital plans were denied, he opted for murder as one does. No record has survived of his death or the end of his reign: dates from 811 to 830 have been suggested.