The Last Kingdom: What is the True History Behind It and How Historically Accurate Is It?

The Last Kingdom: What is the True History Behind It and How Historically Accurate Is It?

Blog Article

Introduction

"The Last Kingdom" is a popular historical drama series based on Bernard Cornwell's "The Saxon Stories" book series. It brings to life the turbulent and fascinating period of 9th and 10th century England, a time when the Saxons struggled to defend their kingdom against Viking invasions. The series primarily focuses on the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman captured by the Vikings and raised as one of their own, torn between his Saxon heritage and Viking upbringing. The show is filled with battles, betrayals, political maneuverings, and larger-than-life characters, but how closely does it reflect the true history of this period?

In this article, we will explore the historical events and figures depicted in "The Last Kingdom," compare them to the real history, and evaluate how accurate the show is in its portrayal of the Viking Age.

The Setting of The Last Kingdom

The events in "The Last Kingdom" are set during the period of the Viking invasions of England, spanning from the late 9th century into the 10th century. This was a time when the island of Britain was divided into several kingdoms, including Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria, and East Anglia. The most significant threat during this period came from the Norsemen (Vikings), who were intent on raiding, settling, and conquering the lands of the Anglo-Saxons.

The Viking invasion began in the late 8th century with the infamous raid on Lindisfarne in 793, but it was the 9th and early 10th centuries that saw the greatest impact on England. The series begins with the Viking conquest of Northumbria and follows the conflict between the Saxon kingdoms and the Danelaw (Viking-controlled territories) that eventually leads to the unification of England. shutdown123