The Last Kingdom, a popular Netflix series that aired for five seasons, has culminated in the film “The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die”. This exciting movie continues the story of Uhtred, the warrior who was born Saxon but raised as a Dane after the murder of his family.
Throughout the series, Uhtred faced numerous challenges and sought vengeance for his father’s death. Despite being exiled, beaten, and attacked, he ultimately emerges as the recognized leader of Northumbria, caught between King Edward and his forces in the south and the Scottish king in the north.
However, peace doesn’t last long in Saxon Britain. The film begins with the death of King Edward, forcing his widow Eadifgu and their youngest son Edmund to flee to Northumbria for help. Ingrith, the clairvoyant wife of Uhtred’s friend Finian, foretells a prophecy in her dreams: “Seven kings must die, and the woman you love.” Initially, Uhtred dismisses the prophecy since he is neither a king nor in a romantic relationship. But as the title of the film suggests, we suspect that there’s more to come.
Meanwhile, Edward’s sons, Aethelstan and Aelfweard, compete for the throne. A negotiation between the two goes awry when Aelfweard is slain by Aethelstan after offering a gesture of submission. In Mercia, Wessex, and East Anglia, Aethelstan, now the king, with the guidance (or manipulation) of his lover, Lord Ingilmundr, eliminates anyone who stands in his way.
Unbeknownst to Aethelstan, however, Ingilmundr secretly works on behalf of Anlaf, a Norse leader who has united chiefs and kings, including those from Orkney, Shetland, and Scotland, with the aim of defeating Aethelstan on the battlefield.
As the story unfolds, Edmund and Osbert manage to escape, Uhtred finds his beloved lost sword during battle, he reconciles with Aethelstan, and Finian’s wife and the inhabitants of Bebbanburg are killed by Anlaf’s men, fulfilling the prophecy’s “woman you love” part for poor old Finian.
Finally, everything culminates in the Battle of Brunanburgh in 937 AD, where Uhtred, his friends, Aethelstan, and their forces join together against Anlaf and his allies. Do “seven kings” die on the battlefield? And most importantly, is Uhtred one of them?
Anlaf and Aethelstan face off, but just as it seems Aethelstan may be overpowered, Uhtred’s cavalry arrives, causing some of the Scots to flee. In the end, Ingilmundr is captured and meets his demise with a swift sword to the neck. Farewell, Ingilmundr.
As the five kings fighting against Aethelstan retreat upon realizing their imminent defeat, it is revealed that their sons have been killed, leaving no heirs to continue their line of succession. This means that five kings, or rather potential kings, have died. When we consider the death of King Edward at the beginning, that brings the count to six deceased monarchs. Could Uhtred be the seventh?
No, or at least not yet. Uhtred is found gravely wounded and on the brink of death on the battlefield by his loyal companions, Pals Sihtric and Finian. They prepare to take him back to Bebbanburg in Northumbria.
When they arrive, Uhtred is well enough to pledge his loyalty to Aethelstan, forming England. However, he makes a condition: Aethelstan must not marry or have heirs, ensuring that Uhtred’s half-brother, Edmund, will inherit the throne upon Aethelstan’s demise. It is worth noting that Uhtred is aware of Aethelstan’s homosexual inclinations, so this condition may also be a covert favor towards the king.
Looking terribly pale and weak, Uhtred hears cheers and merriment in the distance. He walks to the end of the hallway, opens the door, and steps into a room illuminated by fire, filled with many people from his past. They laugh, drink, and welcome him to the afterlife.
The seventh king has died.
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