The 25 Best Characters on The Last Kingdom

11) AETHELFLAED

As the beloved and beautiful daughter of King Alfred and Aelswith, Aethelflaed (Millie Brady) has inherited her father’s thoughtfulness and her mother’s iron will. Her character is similar to Arya on Game of Thrones in that she’s been interested in the male warrior-lifestyle from her earliest days, but unlike Ned Stark, Afred has given her the training she needs to pursue her dreams, at least to a point.

“She has a beautiful relationship with her father, who nurtured her into this warrior,” Brady told CultureWhisperer. “He got this teacher to train her to fight. So, you’ve got this father who really wants his daughter to stand up against the ranks of men, and be able to fight for herself.”

Despite her potential, Aetheflaed, like many noble daughters, is forced into a political marriage, in her case to Aethelred. Unlike her parents, Aethelflaed instinctively understands Uhtred’s spirit and trusts him completely, ever thankful for his protection. Unfortunately for Aethelflaed, her new husband Aethelred is belittling and abusive. When she is kidnapped by the Vikings, she finds love with the honorable Erik, but his crazy brother Sigefrid kills Erik during a rescue attempt.

In the finale of season 2, the battered Aethelflaed manages to kill Sigefrid on the battlefield. When she is safe back in Wessex/Mercia she decides to remain with the awful Aethelred. She believes that she is carrying Erik’s child, and she makes Uhtred swear he will come to her aid if Aethelred ever realizes her deception. Though she’s has a rough go of it, this talented young woman seems destined for great things.