God wants him to right the wrongs done to Mercia. 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. Eardwulf claims to have always served the king well, but while thelred cannot place it, his stomach tells him that Eardwulf lies. Brida finds solace in the faith of . Father Beocca sacrificed himself by jumping in front of the arrow, saving Uhtreds son but dying in the process. He wants silver. He heeds Eadiths warning and leaves. This strained relations with the new Archbishop Eanbald IIEanbald I had died in the year of Eardwulf's coronation. 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. Cnut is taking his men to Irland. Fama is the social currency of the time period, and a lot of that, especially as feudalism and the beginnings of the chivalric system** slowly were taking root, is based on one's loyalty and service to one's lord. (Photographer Adrienn Szabo | Copyright Carnival Film & Television Limited) The intrigue and tension builds up nicely. Eardwulf and his men pursue Uhtred's party as it flees through a countryside ravaged by disease. Eardwulf claims they have no view on it. Eadith screams out from the crowd for them to have mercy. Eardwulf tells Eadith to follow him as he has news to put the king in better spirits. What is going on? He wonders if he has Eardwulfs loyalty. 8.4 (2,643) Rate. thelred has now died, so it is not clear who has the authority to command the troops. Alive Family However, she ends up dying of the plague, and in the books, she actually becomes Uhtred's lover instead of Finan's. Little is recorded of Eardwulf's family, though his father, also named Eardwulf, is known to have been a nobleman. "Then his own men, who we are repeatedly told are utterly loyal to him for he is a good leader, instantly turn on him at the very first brief mention of any treachery? [30] thelred himself was assassinated on 18 April 796, perhaps at Corbridge, by conspirators led by the dux Ealdred. Lady Aelswith saw Lord Aethelhelms true nature and decided to right a wrong from her past. [17] Shortly before thelred was murdered in 796, an embassy from Francia delivered gifts for the king and his bishops. The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf betrayed Aethelred, The Last Kingdom: Eardwulf was Eadith's brother. Stiorra tells him that he brought this on himself, so he slaps her. They both planned to conspire against Aethelred and reclaim some power, but Eardwulf found himself in too deep. 2015 | Maturity Rating: 16+ | 5 Seasons | Drama. No record has survived of his death or the end of his reign: dates from 811 to 830 have been suggested. Ludeca asks Eardwulf about Burgred, whos not yet to make another move. ("Episode 4.5"), Eardwulf is invited to feast with the King. In "The Empty Throne", Eardwulf, whosesisteris thelred's lover, commands thelred's household warriors. Eardwulf is the leading contender for the Lordship. They kill many men and take thelhelm, lfld, and lfweard captive. "Last night, a man came into our house," she said at last. Eadith could see how power-hungry her brother was becoming, and she started to turn against him. First Appearance ("Episode 4.3"), King thelred asks for an update on their troops in Lindcylne. He is a blacksmith who forges Serpent-Breath for Uhtred . It is titled "The Last Kingdom" in a movie made into a BBC mini-series. Historians disagree as to whether lfwald was replaced by Eardwulf, who would thus have reigned a second time from 808 to 811 or 812, or whether the reign of Eardwulf's son Eanred began in 808. Even though he made it appear as if he was heading east, Eardwulf and thelhelm are sure to realise he is heading to Chester, so Uhtred takes refuge in an abandoned fort. And so, Eardwulfs guards turn on him. The Last Kingdom season 3: Was Skade real? However, the king will not agree to it. As he lingers near death, Aethelred shows repentance. Theyre only loyal to the leader of Mercia. Eardwulf replies that for a whore, his sister lacks ambition. [22], Eardwulf was not, so far as is known, connected to any of the factions that had been warring for the throne up to the mid-790s. Some of Eardwulf's men have already entered Ceaster and he learns they plan to open the gate for the Norse army. The same may be true of Mercia from the death of Ceolred in 716 until the disappearance of the Mercian kingdom in the late ninth century. Eardwulf reveals that he got this information from Hsten, who the king calls a well known liar. 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. As the battle began, Aelfric was shocked to see the return of his son Wihtgar (Ossian Perret), who hed assumed had died at sea. ("Episode 4.6"), Eardwulf confronts Burgred as he's exiting the kings chamber. Eardwulf suggests they leave quietly, before the Ealdorman can disapprove. He is wounded, unconscious, and the back of his head is split open. When Charlemagne learned of thelred's killing he was enraged, called the Northumbrians "that treacherous, perverse peoplewho murder their own lords", and threatened retribution. In season four Eadith also saved Uhtred and his friends after they were left to die at the hands of Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen). [42], From the 740s until the end of the Northumbrian kingdom, coins were issued by most kings, although in variable quantities. [Sic]. She saw the error of her brother's ways and decided to help Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) and his friends instead. Brida wanted to kill Uhtred, and was disgusted when Sigtryggr stopped her and negotiated a truce. This is an opportunity to regain their influence. Starring: Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, David Dawson. She acted as the mistress of Aethelred (Toby Regbo), and fans are wondering whether she will avenge her brother's death. [20] If this is correct she must have been illegitimate, as the marriages of all the legitimate daughters are known. Eardwulf becomes enraged. However, they killed him when they learn that he murdered Aethelred. Throughout the season, he also refused Uhtreds advice and declined to help him regain his childhood land. Eadith managed to escape the battle which ensues with only minor injuries, but there is a possibility she may avenge Eardwulf's death. The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. She and her brother Eardwulf had been conspiring against Aethelred to overthrow him and take his power for themselves. It may have been the home to Eardwulf, a former King of Northumbria who was living in exile as a hermit in the area. ("Episode 4.6"), Eardwulf and his guards track Uhtred and his men down. [34], Although thelred had been Eardwulf's enemy, thelred's killers proved to be equally hostile to Eardwulf. ("Episode 4.5"), Edward tells Cenric and Eardwulf that they will seize Uhtreds land in Coccham and take his children. The historian Alan Thacker estimates that there were about eight men holding the title of dux in late Northumbria. Male Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Several unnamed Dane civilians in East Anglia, Eardwulf was a noble; he was born to an ealdorman of. The king will simply think that Eardwulf died in battle. Letters between Charlemagne and Pope Leo III suggest that Coenwulf had a hand in Eardwulf's removal. Aethelflaed then took a vow of chastity to ease the fears of the Ealdormen. ("Episode 4.2"), Kings Lynn,East Anglia; Eadith tells Eardwulf that she has no choice but to act the part of the kings whore. Little did he know, Eadith saw the whole thing and she decided to cut all ties with her evil brother. Supporting evidence comes from a twelfth-century list of the burial places of saints compiled at Peterborough. Eardwulf had taken on the role of Aethelred's commander, meanwhile, Eadith was acting as his mistress to win him over. He also, collecting an army, obtained very many auxiliaries from other provinces, having made a long expedition among them. His youngest and wife were beaten. [54] According to a medieval calendar of saints, the Benedictine monks at Breedon celebrated Hardulph's feast day on 21 August. [29] Osred returned from exile but was betrayed, and killed by thelred's command on 14 September 792. Eardwulf was deposed in 806 and according to a Frankish record, returned to his kingdom in 808. Aethelhelm wanted Uhtred to give up the location of Aethelflaeds daughter Aelfwynn, who was being hidden with his own daughter Stiorra, but Uhtred stayed firm. While Mercia's new ruler Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) is feted in Aegelesburg (modern Aylesbury) as something akin to a new saviour before heading . He realizes now that bargaining with them was a mistake. He reports that Cnuts army has attacked Mercia. One of season fours major upshots was Bridas growing hatred of Uhtred. Eardwulf explains that the surrounding settlements are resisting, but they will prevail. Eadith was introduced in season four as Aethelred's (Toby Regbo) mistress and she and her brother Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) were trying to claim power for themselves. Eardwulf finds Eadith lying in bed after having sex with the king, who is in a considerably good mood. Eardwulf then saves Edward from an incoming attack after Steapa is killed protecting him. Last Kingdom: Eadith grew attached to Aethelflaed's daughter Aelfwynn, Last Kingdom: Eadith and Eardwulf had plans to overthrow Aethelred. The Last Kingdom is streaming on Netflix now. Eadith reveals that he has not spoken of Eardwulf, but they should leave before his mind returns. The connection, though unproven, has been made by several historians and is uncontroversial. . Lord Aethelred of Mercia, who was murdered after being fatally injured at the Battle of Tettenhall. However, that is no concern of hers. Theyve also taken Lindcylne. Meanwhile, Edward had followed in his fathers footsteps by ignoring Uhtreds sage advice, not appreciating his loyaly, refusing to grant him troops to retake his ancestral home of Bebbanburg, and ultimately, giving him a job he didnt ask for. The Last Kingdom season 5: Will Uhtred kill Brida in series finale? [18] Charlemagne in time became a supporter of Eardwulf. She will be at Tettenhall, where she plans to lure Cnut. As well as several skirmishes, there were two big fights: the Battle of Tettenhall and the Siege of Winchester. Eadith assures her brother that the king will never forgive them for what theyve done. The first season debuted on BBC America on 10 October 2015, and BBC Two on 22 October 2015. Edward continued to show his ineptitude by nearly losing the Battle of Tettenhall, sending reinforcements before it was almost too late. Vikings: Are Vikings and The Last Kingdom linked? Eardwulf informs Sigtryggr that they will have the town soon enough. [10], Early evidence of friendly relations between Charlemagne and Offa is tempered by signs of strain. Eadith advises Eardwulf to save himself and flee to Frankia. Punishment for his greed and ambition. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. They said: "Reputation and honor are a huge thing. Eanbald was presumably in conflict with Eardwulf over property, but it is likely that he also supported rivals for Eardwulf's throne. Last Kingdom season five could definitely be on the cards for Netflix as season four ended with many unanswered questions. ("Episode 4.9"). In"The Last Kingdom", Ealdwulf is a Northumbrian blacksmith formerly employed by Uhtred'sfather, who later works forEarl Ragnarand the Danish occupiers.