It’s Historical
And we know you love a good Historical story around here. I’m not going to verify ANY of the following things I’m about to tell you about this time in history which I’ve put together from watching the show and the little I remember from possibly learning this shit in high school. But before England was England, she was divided into different kingdoms led by Kings and Lords (who I assume went on to be the aristocracy once England was united under one king) and was under constant attack from the Vikings (referred to as “The Danes” in the show).
When I first started watching the show, I did do a little googling to find out how historically accurate it is. What I do know is that King Alfred is THE King Alfred The Great who led England to victory against the Danes and brought the country together, ultimately resulting in the England we know of today. I hope I didn’t ruin anything for you. But spoiler: England is still there and you can go visit and have tea and fish and chips with a pint (of tea probably) It’s great.
The Last Kingdom
The show takes places in the late 800s AD at the beginning of the reign of King Alfred. It starts with the backstory of our hero Uhtred of Bebbanburg while he’s a child, the son of a Saxon (English) Nobleman.
As a child, Uhtred is taken by the Danes during a battle and raised as a slave to a Viking warlord. The first episode follows him around during childhood, and I guarantee you’ll think “Aww. This is a cute story about an English kid whose a foster slave to a Viking” and then BAM the kid walks into some water at about 40 minutes in and OUT WALKS A F*CKING MAN. Just wait. This moment will happen to you and you’ll say to yourself, “Oh THAT’S why Bekah told me to watch this show.”
They call Sex “Humping”
It’s weird. But “Let’s hump” is a phrase heard as often on this show as it was at a homecoming dance in the early 80s. Or on my bedroom floor with my best friend Ashley when we made our Barbies do it.
You don’t know if you’re on Team Dane or Team England
I mean you’re Team England, obviously, because they eventually give us Colin Firth, Rob Pattinson, Theo James, Tom Hiddleston and SO MANY MORE. And all Team Dane has given us is Viggo Mortensen, but it’s HARD to know who to root for because Uhtred sells a pretty good Danish story. And the English are NOT cool. This is the time in history when the Church had so much power and basically told the King and military leaders what to do. People were paranoid, thought “thoughts and prayers” were going to fix major illnesses and keep them safe (what a bunch of idiots. Man we’ve come so far*) And the Dane have lots of Gods, lots of drinks and lots of humping.
Okay there’s also terrible stuff like death and rapes and pillaging, but honestly, if you’re a bad ass Dane woman, you win everyday in my book.
Let’s look at Uhtred
Great idea
Uhtred is a dirty, horny warrior who doesn’t hesitate to kill. He’s hungry for money and power and control of land that was once his. But he’s loyal to those he loves and vows to protect and is equally torn between his roots with England and life he spent with the Vikings.
Here’s a peek at a few of the women in the show:
This is Brida, Uhtred’s Viking foster sister (who is also a Saxon slave) who is one badass Danish woman. LOOK AT THAT FUR.
This is Mildrith, an Englishwoman who plays an important role in Uhtred’s life.
This is Queen Iseult. She is not a Queen.
I literally cannot tell you much without giving major plot points away but let’s just state the obvious: It was TOUGH being a woman back then.
The Season Finale of The Last Kingdom recently aired and all episodes are streaming now on BBC America. Watch this show! You won’t be sorry!
Have you watched The Last Kingdom?
*See what I did there? Yeah, you did.
