Which Seven Kings must die in The Last Kingdom sequel movie?

Who are the seven kings in The Last Kingdom movie?

The title Seven Kings Must Die is drawn not from the final books in Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories saga, but from one of the earlier novels. The sixth book, Death of Kings, includes a section where a prophetess named Ælfadell predicts a dour future for Uhtred and King Alfred’s dream of a united England:

"Seven kings will die, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, seven kings and the women you love. That is your fate. And Alfred’s son will not rule and Wessex will die and the Saxon will kill what he loves and the Danes will gain everything, and all will change and all will be the same as ever it was and ever will be."

This scene was cut from the television series. According to Den of Geek, that particular passage is framed more as a Danish attempt to unnerve Uhtred than a bonafide prophecy, but as anyone who’s seen the show or read the books knows, there are aspects of truth in there. Uhtred’s lovers do often die, for example, and plenty of kings have died throughout the run of the show as well.

But Seven Kings Must Die seems to be taking the line seriously. To really try and decode its meaning, we must look at the final book in Cornwell’s series, War Lord, and the Battle of Brunanburh. After no small amount of politicking, young King Æthelstan is issued a challenge to battle by a coalition of other powerful kings and lords. The prize: control of a united England. It’s likely that these rival rulers are the “seven kings” from the title…and the show has already set up at least one of them.

In The Last Kingdom season 5, Uhtred and King Edward found themselves at odds with King Constantin of Alba (Scotland). Constantin is indeed one of the kings who leads this coalition against Æthelstan at Brunanburh. In War Lord, he’s joined by the Norse leader Anlaf, Owain king of Strathclyde, and a number of other lesser rulers. As Reddit user Papageno_Kilmister points out, it’s alluded to in War Lord that these are the seven kings the prophecy is referring to:

"In War-Lord it’s about the kings on the opposite side at the battle of brunanburgh, some of which are just tribal leaders and sub-kings: They are Anlaf of Hlymekr, Owain of Strathclyde, Gibleachán of Sudreyar, Ingilmundr, Thorfinn of Orkney, Prince Cellach of Alba and Domnall, a sub-king to Constantine of Alba"

There’s also the question of King Edward, who is the king at the end of The Last Kingdom season 5. According to the official synopsis, his death sets the events of the film in motion. His death would also lead to his son Æthelstan ascending the throne. Does Edward’s death count as one of the seven? We can’t say for sure until after the movie’s out.

While we wait, here’s something interesting to ponder: consider this stanza about the Battle of Brunanburh from the historic poem The Anglo Saxon Chronicle:

"Five young kings Lay dead upon the battlefield, by swords Sent to their final sleep; and likewise seven Of Anlaf’s earls, and countless of his host."

So we have a few options for how to identify these seven kings. But I’d expect the majority of them will fight Æthelstan at Brunanburh for control of England. Of course, with Uhtred at his side, we expect Æthelstan to pull through.

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