The Ultimate Ranking of the 8 Anglo-Saxon Kings in The Last Kingdom

Summary

The Last Kingdom showcases various Anglo-Saxon kings, but their portrayal in the show may differ from their real-life accomplishments.

The attention primarily revolves around the accomplishments of the Wessex kings, with an examination of the abilities and limitations of the remaining kings.

King Alfred of Wessex is depicted as the exemplary monarch, laying the groundwork for a unified Kingdom of England and instilling deep devotion within his subjects.

The abilities of the eight Anglo-Saxon kings in The Last Kingdom vary when it comes to effectively ruling within the show's world. The series strives to depict these historical figures as accurately as possible, including the kings. However, certain creative liberties are taken to deepen the complexity of the characters.

Due to the adaptation for television, the leadership abilities of these characters may not align with their real-life accomplishments. While most of the eight kings featured in The Last Kingdom were accomplished in reality, the focus in the show primarily lies on the achievements of the Kings of Wessex. Nevertheless, the other Anglo-Saxon kings are given enough screen time to assess their strengths and weaknesses as monarchs.

8 King Guthred Of Northumbria

7 King Ceolwulf Of Mercia

The reign of King Guthred of Northumbria is widely regarded as the most disastrous in the entire series. Upon ascending to the throne in The Last Kingdom season 2, Guthred is aided by Uhtred at the request of Alfred. However, Guthred proves to be a feeble and unreliable ruler, displaying qualities such as cowardice, indecisiveness, and a lack of trustworthiness. His most heart-wrenching act occurs when he strikes a treacherous deal with Uhtred's uncle, Aelfric, resulting in Uhtred being sold into slavery. This deceitful betrayal is made all the more disgraceful considering Uhtred's instrumental role in Guthred's rise to power. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that Guthred's reign as King of Northumbria is exceedingly short-lived.

King Ceolwulf of Mercia makes a brief appearance in The Last Kingdom, highlighting his ineptitude as a ruler through his desperate plea for assistance from Alfred. In Season 2, Ceolwulf visits Wessex to beseech Alfred for swords to defend against Viking invasions, revealing his inability to safeguard Mercia on his own. Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, Ceolwulf tragically passes away during negotiations with Alfred, rendering his accomplishments within the show nonexistent.

6 King Constantin Of Alba

King Constantin of Alba is a prominent character in both The Last Kingdom season 5 and the sequel film, Seven Kings Must Die. He has a strong desire to become the most powerful ruler in Northern Britain and seeks to expand his kingdom beyond modern-day Scotland into Northumbria. In order to achieve his goals, Constantin forms an alliance with Aethlhelm, a cunning adviser to Edward of Wessex, to create a buffer against their rising power. However, his ambitions backfire when Uhtred and Edward successfully reclaim Bebbanburg at the end of season 5.

Following this setback, Constantin becomes more cautious and initially refuses an opportunity to turn against Wessex when Anlaf starts gathering an army in Seven Kings Must Die. Unfortunately, Aethelstan's invasion of Alba forces Constantin to join forces with Anlaf, resulting in their disastrous defeat at the Battle of Brunanburh. Constantin not only loses his heir in the battle but is also forced to retreat back to Alba with the remaining soldiers. While Constantin manages to hold onto his own lands, his recurrent defeats and the staggering number of lives lost under his leadership suggest that he falls short of being the show's best king.

5 King Hywel Of Wealas

King Hywel of Wealas possesses a combination of greed and occasional cruelty, yet his astuteness surpasses that of some other rulers. In a cunning move during The Last Kingdom season 4, Hywel secures a vast amount of Danish silver by joining forces with Wessex in the Battle of Tettenhall. This not only grants him substantial wealth but also brings about the defeat of a formidable enemy that may have posed a threat to his kingdom in the future.

However, Hywel later makes a grave mistake when he leaves his land poorly defended in order to embark on a pilgrimage. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Sigtryggr seizes his castle, resulting in a crushing defeat for Hywel's forces during the attempt to recapture it. Eventually, Sigtryggr abandons the fortress, allowing Hywel to reclaim his seat. Nonetheless, Hywel's arrogance in underestimating the possibility of an attack on his land indicates a lack of foresight as a ruler.

Despite this misjudgment, Hywel demonstrates wisdom in a later event by aligning himself with Aethelstan in the Battle of Brunanburh, rather than Anlaf. This calculated decision likely saves his kingdom and bolsters Hywel's reputation as a competent monarch within The Last Kingdom.

4 Aethelstan King Of England

On his path to becoming the King of England, Aethelstan, who originally ruled Wessex, faced early challenges. Manipulated by Ingilmundr, he initiated unprovoked invasions and compelled conversions, earning him widespread animosity. Eventually, he recognized the folly of his actions and repaired his relationship with Uhtred. Together, they confronted Anlaf's formidable army at the Battle of Brunanburh. Triumphantly, Aethelstan emerged victorious, thereby achieving his grandfather's long-standing aspiration of unifying England under one ruler. This singular accomplishment unequivocally underscores his merit as a sovereign.

3 King Aethelred Of Wessex

King Aethelred of Wessex, the elder brother and predecessor of Alfred, proves himself to be a formidable ruler. Unlike his drunken and conniving son, Aethelwold, Aethelred skillfully safeguards Wessex from falling into the hands of the Vikings, while the other English kingdoms succumb to their rule. Moreover, he exhibits remarkable foresight by choosing Alfred as his successor. Aethelred's unwavering courage is evident as he fearlessly fights alongside his troops, even at the risk of losing his own life. Although his presence in The Last Kingdom is brief, Aethelred's demonstrations of strength, wisdom, and valor prior to his untimely demise unquestionably establish his rightful claim to the crown.

2 King Edward Of Wessex

King Edward of Wessex is not the most popular monarch in The Last Kingdom, yet his achievements are notable. During his reign, Edward successfully establishes his dominance over Mercia and East Anglia, paving the way for Aethelstan to unite the realms. Edward's exceptional qualities as a leader lie in his unwavering determination and patience, allowing him to secure control over Mercia without resorting to violence. Nevertheless, he has his flaws. Frequently influenced by his mother and Aethelhelm, he struggles with making firm decisions at times. Nonetheless, he undeniably stands as the second-best ruler in The Last Kingdom.

1 King Alfred Of Wessex

King Alfred of Wessex is unquestionably the finest ruler in The Last Kingdom. He is responsible for establishing the groundwork for a united Kingdom of England, and his descendants carry on his vision. Recognizing the importance of unity, Alfred deftly handles negotiations and proves his prowess as a military leader, though Uhtred contributes significantly to his success. Through his inspiring leadership, Alfred earns the unwavering loyalty of his subjects and demonstrates the foresight and determination befitting a mighty king.