Is The Last Kingdom historically accurate? 20 Questions Answered
King Alfred the Great (Part 2)
So, how accurately has The Last Kingdom rendered what’s known of Alfred the Great’s life? Alfred did wage war against the Danes invading England for years, and the show depicts his retreat to the marshes after a defeat until he reformed his army at Egbert’s Stone and his ultimate victory at the Battle of Edington. His work to negotiate the Danelaw is mentioned throughout the seasons and may play a bigger role in the fourth season and beyond.
How do we know anything about Alfred and his reign? The real Alfred commissioned Bishop Asser to write his biography, a somewhat fawning accolade to the king’s list of achievements titled the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The character of Father Asser (Nicholas Rowe) appears in The Last Kingdom as an enemy to the hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
Alfred was known to be rather frail physically, thin and gaunt and plagued by ill-health his life — modern doctors believe he probably suffered from Crohn’s disease. The TV show portrays his health woes as history records them. Despite his physical ailments, Alfred was an accomplished diplomat and strategist and a social warrior determined to expand education and reconstruct the English system of law. The Last Kingdom faithfully establishes his character as proficient in these areas.
Was Alfred as committed to the Christian religion as he is on The Last Kingdom? History notes that Alfred was certainly pious and did encourage church officials to promote Christianity throughout his realm. Although we don’t know if the real Alfred was as plagued by doubts as the show’s version, his determination to forge a Christian nation provides the showrunners with fertile dramatic ground when he locks horns with the heathen Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who is himself largely fabricated.
Bishop Asser’s real-life work provides little information about the deeper aspects of King Alfred’s personality, which leaves the door open for The Last Kingdom to develop of his character and his more intimate relationships. The TV show constructs an Alfred both virtuous and manipulative, certain and plagued with doubt, a man capable of both great shrewdness and willful blindness. In his era of dangerous, complicated conflict with power-hungry nobles and bloodthirsty enemies, it’s likely that Alfred had to constantly shift his priorities in order to keep himself and his dream of a united England alive.
Overall, The Last Kingdom has done a fine job sticking to the known records regarding King Alfred the Great.