10 best The Last Kingdom characters not named Uhtred
By Joel Wagler
No. 6: Aldhelm (James Northcote)
When we first meet Aldhelm, he is the scheming, bootlicking toady for Aethelred. A funny thing happens, however, as Aldhelm falls in love with Aethelred's sometimes abused, sometimes ignored, wife Aethelflaed. The Lady of Mercia also happens to be daughter of King Alfred.
Over time, Aldhelm swings away from being Aethelred's right-hand man to become Aethelflaed's chief advisor and protector. Well...after Uhtred, of course.
As the series progresses, Aldhelm becomes a loyal military leader for Mercia as well. He carries himself in the manner he knew his Lady would approve of and remains a supporter of Aethelflaed's brother King Edward.
In the end, Aldhelm remains a loyal warrior, even to the point when it cost him his life at the hands of the devious Ingilmundr. The latter was a master manipulator who had wormed his way into King Aethelstan's life and bed.
Ultimately, Aldhelm's death is one of the events that helps Edward's son Aethelstan realize he'd been duped by Ingilmundr, and set him on the path his father and Uhtred wanted him to tread.