Unveiling the Historical Accuracy of King Alfred: The Last Kingdom's Remarkable Character
Discover the truth behind the legendary King Alfred in The Last Kingdom Uncover his struggles with poor health, his place in the line of succession, alliances formed, debunked myths, devout Christianity, and his ambition to unite England
Summary
The Last Kingdom is a British historical fiction series partly based on real English leader King Alfred, with elements of his character altered for television.
King Alfred had a chronic illness throughout his life, presumed to be Crohn's disease, that weakened him and was concealed to preserve his perception as a capable ruler.
Both in the show and in real life, King Alfred's rise to the throne of Wessex was a product of circumstance, as he was the fourth in line for the throne among his brothers.
King Alfred, a key character in the TV series The Last Kingdom, draws inspiration from a real English leader, incorporating both historical facts and fictional alterations. The Last Kingdom, a British historical fiction show, is an adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel series The Saxon Stories. Spanning over five seasons and a Netflix film, the series chronicles the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior raised by Danes who finds himself torn between two worlds. The Last Kingdom captivates viewers with its stunning cinematography, grand battle sequences, and a captivating, legendary narrative, making it a remarkable historical series and a captivating study of its characters.
Although Uhtred himself is a fictional character, his adventures across East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria, and Wessex bring him in contact with various significant figures from English history. Among them, his close friend and occasional adversary is King Alfred, historically known as King Alfred the Great. As the wise and just ruler of Wessex, King Alfred possesses cunning strategies and seizes every opportunity that arises. Sometimes in conflict and sometimes as allies, King Alfred and Uhtred collaborate to free England from Danish rule. The Last Kingdom places a strong emphasis on historical accuracy, and King Alfred's portrayal in the show closely aligns with his real-life counterpart.
King Alfred Really Did Suffer From Poor Health
In the TV show The Last Kingdom, Alfred is introduced as a nobleman with a mysterious illness. This unknown disease weakens him, leading him to conceal it once he becomes the King of Wessex. Similar to the historical King Alfred, who also experienced a lifelong debilitating disease, the show does not explicitly state the nature of his illness. However, historians speculate that King Alfred had Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. During that era, with limited medical knowledge, individuals with this condition would likely be unaware of their specific ailment and its triggers. It is believed that complications associated with Crohn's disease ultimately led to King Alfred's demise, both in the show's season 3 and in real life.
King Alfred Was The Fourth Brother In Line For The Throne Of Wessex
Alfred's journey to the throne of Wessex, both in the show and in reality, was largely influenced by chance. In the TV series "The Last Kingdom," Alfred's older brother Æthelred holds the title of King of Wessex, but his untimely death in a battle against the Danes hands the crown to Alfred. This parallel to real life is even more astonishing, as Alfred was actually the fifth-born son of King Aethelwulf.
In reality, Alfred's three older brothers, Æthelbald, Æthelberht, and Æthelred, all held the title of King of Wessex prior to him. It was only after their passing that Alfred finally became King Alfred. While the series "The Last Kingdom" does not specifically mention Æthelred and Alfred's brothers, it is plausible that Æthelbald and Æthelberht may have existed within the timeline depicted in the show.
Æthelred And King Alfred Had A Strong Alliance
Æthelred of Mercia, not to be confused with Alfred’s older brother, stands out as one of the most formidable villains in The Last Kingdom. As the King of Mercia, Æthelred possesses a crafty, ambitious, and treacherous nature, prioritizing his own desires over the well-being of his subjects and potential allies. Continuously causing strife for Alfred, Æthelred lacks the virtuous and fair qualities that Alfred values.
Contrary to the show's portrayal, historical records indicate that Æthelred and Alfred were actually staunch allies (according to Winter is Coming). Æthelred owed his allegiance to Alfred, and the threat posed by the Danes to both Wessex and Mercia strengthened their bond, keeping them united as allied kings.
King Alfred Burning Cakes Is Probably Apocryphal
In episode 7 of The Last Kingdom season 1, King Alfred and the survivors from the attack on Winchester find themselves living in a swamp, adjusting to their new surroundings. Without the luxuries of court life, both the nobles and common people are forced to work together as equals. Unfortunately, King Alfred's attempt at baking cakes goes awry when he forgets about them and they end up burning. Queen Iseult, clearly frustrated, exclaims, "Lord, you had one task." Interestingly, this incident is inspired by a well-known tale about King Alfred, although its historical accuracy is questionable.
While this story is a popular folktale in English history, there is limited evidence to support its occurrence (according to British Food History). The earliest known references to this event come about 300 years after it supposedly happened. Despite its likely status as a myth, including the scene of Alfred burning the cakes serves as a homage to English legend.
King Alfred Was A Highly Devout Christian
King Alfred's unwavering commitment to Christianity greatly defines his character. It is this devotion that motivates him to stand up against the pagan Danes and rally England against them. Despite being devout, Alfred carries a sense of guilt due to his promiscuous nature. The main conflict between Alfred and Uhtred lies in their differing beliefs; Alfred seeks the conversion of his subjects to Christianity, while Uhtred remains faithful to the pagan rituals of his Danish heritage.
The television series stays true to the historical portrayal of King Alfred and his strong affiliation with Christianity. Alfred's profound faith in the religion and its principles is evident, as he deems the conversion of the English people to Christianity as crucial as unifying the nation and driving out the Danes, as stated by History is Now Magazine. Throughout the unification process of the kingdoms, Alfred implements numerous Christian reforms and incorporates the Ten Commandments and other Christian texts into civil law.
King Alfred Did Want To Unite England Under One Banner
King Alfred's dream in The Last Kingdom is of a unified England. He envisions an end to the animosity between warring factions, and a coming together of all to form a stronger union. Alfred's desire for a united kingdom goes beyond personal rule; he seeks freedom for his compatriots from the Danes, allowing them to live as Anglo-Saxons. This dream of unifying England was also a goal of the real-life King Alfred. Through halting Viking advances and consolidating territories he reclaimed, Alfred laid the foundation for England's eventual unification.
Similar to The Last Kingdom, King Alfred lived to witness the non-Dane kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England united under a single rule, albeit with complete unification occurring many decades later. Nonetheless, both the fictional and historical King Alfred made significant contributions to the creation of what would eventually become the United Kingdom.
