The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die

For a hundred years, there was chaos in our lands.

War between Saxons and Dane invaders.

And war between men who wanted to be kings.

My lord, Uhtred, son of Uhtred, born a Saxon, but raised a Dane,

had brought about a fragile peace.

But as King Edward's health faltered,

trouble spread.

And while most of the country was sworn to the Saxons,

Uhtred's land of Northumbria was not.

And enemies were keen to exploit this.

Wolf!

Wolf! Wolf!

Destroy the settlement. Leave no sign we have landed.

- -

Ah!

Anlaf, we have the spy.

Behold my child.

Behold the daughter of Anlaf.

You look ridiculous.

It is how they dress, Father.

If I'm to hide amongst them, I must appear--

Is King Edward dead?

Not yet.

-But each breath could be his last. -Then we chose our moment.

A king dies, Saxons always turn on each other.

Pass this news to all kings who hate them.

Tell them I have crossed from Irland and wish to make allies.

Return yourself to Winchester.

Wait.

Play with them.

Unleash chaos.

- -

No. Stay back.

Find the queen!

Lady Eadgifu,

the traitor Aelfweard has sent men to take you and Prince Edmund into protection.

I have no wish to be a hostage.

-Can we fight them? -Not without Aethelstan.

Well, surely, my guards can--

Loyalties are shifting and factions forming.

It is not certain who supports us.

We should flee with your son whilst we can.

I will not forgive this.

Nor forgive Aethelstan for leaving us exposed.

Damn him for his absence.

Come, Edmund. We are leaving.

- Where's the queen? - Move! Look everywhere!

- Mother, what's-- - Sh. Quiet.

-Wait. -

- Pyrlig. - We got word.

Aethelstan has gone on pilgrimage to pray for his father's health.

Then find him and tell him of his death.

Then strike him, from me, for he swore to protect us.

Come. There's no time.

Where will you go?

-To Uhtred. -The pagan?

- They're in here! - Go! Go!

Uhtred betrayed my husband.

Are we sure this is wise?

Uhtred was like a father to Aethelstan. He can be trusted.

We go to the last kingdom.

He stood in front of the army, and he said, "Release the arrows!"

And an arrow went right through his head.

Oh, that was something.

But then, the battle for this place certainly sticks in the memory.

-Both times. - Hey. Cnut.

He was a proper… cock!

Then there were the horse-killers. Oh, they were deadly.

-What was his name? -Bloodhair.

Bloodhair. And what was her name? She of the curses?

Do not remind me. Skade!

Now, she was moon touched.

Another one who thought she was a seer. It didn't go well for her.

I am telling you, my dream was a prophecy. Three nights I have had it.

-And what is your dream, Ingrith? - Don't get her started, Lord.

-Hear my words. "Seven kings must die." - Lord?

-Seven kings and-- -Ingrith!

All stand for the queen!

Queen Eadgifu.

And my most noble friend, Lord Aldhelm.

What brings you this far north?

I come seeking refuge with my son.

Edward, rightful king of these lands, has died.

Then my heart grieves.

I'd hoped to reconcile.

One down, six to go.

No! I do not like it.

Northumbria recognizes the new king, Aethelstan.

Do not assume Aethelstan will be king.

-Who is supporting Aelfweard? - The ealdormen of Wessex.

Of course. Still claiming Aethelstan's a bastard?

Yes. Aelfweard has the wealth of Wiltunscir behind him.

Our spies in Aegelesburg say he's there, openly recruiting mercenaries.

We will go to Aegelesburg and seize him before he is at full force.

We would prefer your guard.

My offer gives Aethelstan the time to go to Winchester to be crowned,

and we avoid a clash of armies.

I swore an oath to protect Aethelstan--

And of course, you are a man of your word.

Yet your oath to swear your lands to the king remains unfulfilled.

Your husband showed himself hostile to those of Danish blood.

As such, he was not the right man to unite England.

If he had been, England would be united.

But now things can be different.

Aethelstan can be the king to fulfill the Saxon dream.

If he chooses to swear--

I swore an oath of loyalty, and it stands.

If Aelfweard is buying mercenaries, he will be looking for men from all parts.

Do you think we can still execute an ambush?

If it is for Aethelstan, then yes.

-If he does not fall asleep. -Once. I fell asleep once.

Are you certain this is better than a band of young fighters?

I hear you do little these days but feast and hunt.

I will not send young men to do a task I swore to do myself.

- - Come on, you little…

Come on! Come on.

- - Stop it now.

Osbert! What news from our borders? Do the Scots behave themselves?

Yes, Father. There are rumors Wolf-Warriors landed near Derwent.

-Wolf-Warriors? -Why are you carrying your sword?

We're riding to protect Aethelstan from his brother.

Then I will come.

-Any fight of yours is mine. -Stay here and protect your birthright.

No good comes of sitting waiting for a birthright.

So you train the horses

and you teach that boy how to defend himself.

No one likes the third son of a dead king.

Father.

-Will you swear our lands to Aethelstan? -I must honor my word.

Northumbrians will be sad to lose their pagan lord.

- -

Gotcha!

-Look at this little bastard. -Are we ready?

He's complaining about his saddle.

-Says his arse gets sore. - Didn't say arse. I said my back.

I made you this.

And one for each of you.

Men who sit on cold earth find the cold earth calls for them.

Once again, she shows herself a seer.

Lord, it was nothing.

Tell it again.

"Seven kings must die," Lord.

-"Seven kings--" -Ingrith, no.

Go on.

"And the woman you love."

I'm no king, and I have no woman.

-It means nothing. - Lord Uhtred.

I told my son to train yours.

While you are here, take Wassa as your serving woman.

-Make this fortress your home. -I wish to say one thing of Aethelstan.

He is not quite the carefree boy you raised.

He has grown very much into his faith.

The Brotherhood of Oswald exert great influence.

I have scared off such men before. For some reason, monks find me terrifying.

- Let's go play kingmaker. - Once again.

My father? No, that cannot be.

I thought God had given him the winter.

Lord Aethelstan, you should make haste to Wessex for coronation.

Your brother gathers men.

Establish yourself at Winchester before he raises an army.

We will leave when God commands us to leave, Father Pyrlig.

And that command has not been given.

Return when you have prayed.

Do I depart?

Only the book has answers.

Play.

You have been guided to the Book of Matthew, verse 157.

"Then Jesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon."

God wants you to fight.

Oh. Thank you, lady.

Halt. State your business here.

We heard a man is looking for fighters.

We come to make some coin.

Mm.

Go on.

-This place has fallen to shit. - Edward left it to decline.

I'm glad Aethelflaed is not here to see it.

Huh.

Word has spread.

I swear I've fought half these men.

This is not someone trying to recruit.

This is preparing for a battle.

That is the youth Aelfweard.

Go see what men know of his plans.

I'll show you a sword!

Oh!

Ooh.

-Is that amber in your sword? -How much do you want for it?

Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh.

- Go home to your mothers. - Edgar! No.

Wilfrid!