Who is Queen Eagdifu in The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die?

The Last Kingdom movie Seven Kings Must Die is out now on Netflix, marking an end to the epic journey of Uhtred son of Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon warlord who was raised as a Dane. Based on The Saxon Stories book series by Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom toes the line between truth and fiction, often including actual historical figures alongside made-up heroes like Uhtred and his comrades Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravičius) and Finan (Mark Rowley).

One of those historical characters who plays a major role in Seven Kings Must Die is Queen Eagdifu (Elaine Cassidy), the third wife of King Edward. Eagdifu was first introduced in season 5 of The Last Kingdom, where she was played by Sonya Cassidy. Eagdifu caused quite a stir when she and King Edward began an affair while he was still married to his second wife Aelflaed.

Eagdifu of Kent was indeed a real person, and just like in the show, her presence at court was a source for drama. In real history, Edward eventually set aside his second wife Aelflaed, who went on to become a nun, and married Eagdifu. It’s been speculated by historians that this had less to do with Edward’s desire for Eagdifu and more his desire for the land she stood to inherit in Kent.

Eagdifu rose to historical prominence in her later years, when her sons and grandsons eventually took over the English throne from Aethelstan. She was an important figure in the reign of five different kings.

Lady Eagdifu The Last Kingdom: Who is Eagdifu in Seven Kings Must Die?

Eagdifu also plays an important role on The Last Kingdom. In Seven Kings Must Die, she is played by Elaine Cassidy rather than Sonya Cassidy (no relation). She discovers that there’s likely to be a conflict between Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) and his half-brother Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks) over the throne of Wessex following King Edward’s death. Fearing for the safety of her own son with Edward, Prince Edmund, Eagdifu takes shelter with Uhtred at Bebbanburg.

Eagdifu faces various challenges there, including being shipped off to a nunnery by the scheming Ingilmundr before eventually returning to Bebbanburg, where she bears witness to Uhtred’s final proclamation of fealty to King Aethelstan. When the credits roll on Seven Kings Must Die, both Eagdifu and Edmund have survived the war to unify England under the throne of Wessex. Though Uhtred’s story is over, Eagdifu’s would continue on for decades more to come.

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is available to stream now on Netflix.

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