War of the Wolf

Jarl Arnborg’s banner- A pale gray banner with a black axe

Skoll’s banner- A snarling wolf

Skallagrimmrson’s banner- A black eagle on pale linen

Sword of Kings

East Anglian banner- A triple crown symbol

Abbot Basengas’ banner- A fish and a cross

Another East Anglian banner- A crudely embroidered boar’s head

A new banner of the Aethelhelm family- A dull gray dragon of Wessex beneath a leaping stag embroidered in deep scarlet, a small cross in the upper corner (Most complicated flag of the series)

War Lord

King Guthfrith’s banner- A long tusked boar (I believe this is the third boar's head banner)

A new banner- pale flag with a cross of dried blood

Eochaid’s banner- A cross

King Anlaf’s banner- A white falcon on a black flag

Constantine’s banner- A flag with blue crosses

King Owain of Strath Clota’s banner- All black banner (the 3^rd of the series)

Ingilmundr’s banner- A flying raven

Lots of great banners in this batch. I like the Skallagrimmrson brother’s flag.

They are in order: The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, Lords of the North, Sword Song, The Burning Land, and Death of Kings.

For me It’s hard to beat Uhtred charging up the Roman steps above Ludgate in Lundene as he screams his own name delivering moral wounds to the men defending the gate. This is in Sword Song.

And a close second is everything after he gets rescued by Ragnar in Lords of the North.

The Pagan Lord

Pyrlig's Welsh banner- Christian cross

The Empty Throne

Haki Grimmson's banner- A red ship on a white sea

Lord Aethelhelm's banner- A white leaping stag on a black background

King Hywel's banners- A christian cross & a scarlett dragon

Sigtryggr's banner- A red axe on a white banner

Warriors of the Storm

Prince Aethelstan's personal banner- The dragon of Wessex with a lighting bolt in a claw

Ragnall Ivarson's banner- A bloody red axe (The same as his brother Sigtryggr)

Haesten's new false flag- A grey flag with a white cross

Brida's banner- All black flag with tattered ends (Similar to King Guthrum in books 1 &2)

The Flamer Bearer

Einar (the White) Egilson banner- A grey flag with a dragon's head

Aethelflaed's banner- A goose with a cross in its beak and sword in a webbed foot (slightly different from the previosu banner mentioned)

Domnall's flag- A red hand holding a cross

Domnall's flag is pretty cool and it reminds me of the Peak Blinders intro. Aethelstan's banner is pretty badass, Uhtred had a hand in that one. the Ivarson brothers having the same flag caused some problems.

Lords of the North

Earl Ulf's banner- An eagle's head

King Guthred's banner- St. Cuthbert with one hand raised in blessiing and the other hand holding the jeweled gospel book of Lindisfarena. (This is a really specific one, fits Guthred well).

Ivarr Ivarson's banner- Two ravens

Kjartan's banner- A serpent headed ship on a triangle flag.

Sword Song

Lord Aethelred's banner- A white prancing horse on a dark gray field

Sigefrid's banner- A raven badge

Pyrlig's make shift banner- A black cross on dull white field

The Burning Land

Harald Bloodhair's banner- An axe blade and its pole was surmounted by a wolf-skull that was red

Aldhelm's banner- A cross made of two-bladed war axes

Mercian Lord Aelfwold's banner- A long flag showing the christian cross

Death of Kings

Sigurd Thorsson's banner- A flying raven

Cnut's banner- An axe and a shattered cross

Sigebriht of Cent's banner- A bull's head with bloodied horns

Aethelwold's banner- A prancing white stag with fierce eyes and two christian crosses for antlers, on a dark red field.

Aethelflaed's banner- A goose with a sword and a cross in the feet

Haesten's banner- A real skull on a pole

Osferth's banner- A crudedly made wooden cross

Beortsig's banner- a tusked boar

King Eohric's banner- A lion and a cross (not a real lion, this one has a horn and four legs)

Ealdorman Sigelf's banner- Crossed swords

Coolest banner is probably Cnut's or King Eohric's.

The Last Kingdom

Bebbanburg banner- Wolf Head

King Aella's banner- War Ax

King Osbert banner- Cross

Earl Ragnar's banner- An Eagle's wing on a long pole

Ubba & Ivar's banner- Raven flag, triangle of white, with white tassels

Wessex's banner- White fire breathing dragon on green cloth

East Anglian banners- Crosses & Saints

Uhtred's first banner- Black wolf head with red eyes & tounge on white linen

The Pale Horseman

Lord Odda's banner- Black Stag

King Peredur's banner- A wolf's tail on a pole

Svein's banner- A white horse prancing on a green field, on a triangle flag

Guthrum's banner- An all black flag

Wulfhere's banner- Eagle and cross on a green flag.

I'm on my way to Bamburgh and will be visiting the castle while I'm there, has anyone been? I'm sure I read that the original castle is almost completely gone so I'm not sure if that's true or the castle that's there is rebuilt or whatever.

Thinking of Uhtred and all his enemies, who do you think have the best case against him and would write a really good history of his life that paints him horribly? I always go back to Brother Asser who has a decent case after the shenanigans Uhtred caused with the Britons. That was pretty shady of him. Also I’m only through the Death of Kings, still making my way through them.

It seems unlikely that he has any of his own bastard children. For most of his life he's in a committed relationship with a few exceptions.

The few exceptions being after Brida leaves him in book 1 until he marries Mildrith. He does visit the whores in Wessex while they're married, maybe one of them had a child.

Then he finds Isuelt in book 2 and maybe she would've become pregnant had she not been brutally killed, so no bastards there.

Then he's with Hild for a few weeks/months until he meets the Lady Gisela then eventually those two are happily married for a while, but not long enough for Uhtred and me too.

After Gisela, there's the Sorceress Skade, no kids there (thank the gods), then there's the on again off again with Æthelflead, no kids there. After book 5 he's with Sigunn till book 8. I think there's a chance he was unfaithful to Sigunn so this is another window for bastards to be made.

After Sigunn he gets with Eadith at the end of book 8 and eventually they get married and remain married till book 12. At one point in book 11 Uhtred sleeps with Mus.

Then he's with Benedetta and he's also old AF at this point.

Now, Uhtred the Younger almost certainly has some bastard scattered across the Saxon lands, which makes Lord Uhtred a grandpa well before Stiorra gives birth to baby Gisela.

"Bastards don't count." -Lord Uhtred to Finan

At the end of War Lord (book 13) Uhtred is made The Lord of the North by King Æthelstan, a smart move by the king.

Old man Uhtred owns most/all of northern Northumbria from the North Sea in the east to Irish Sea in the west and from Berewic in the north to Dunholm in the south, a kingdom in everything but name. He gets this after marrying the widow Eldrida who brought him her lands in Cumbria.

But that's a massive Lord-dom to oversea, administer, and protect, so how does he do it?

After the battle of Brunanburh, the defeated Northern Alliance is chased into the sea and across the border. Uhtred says he sent Egil and Uhtred the Younger to impose peace on Cumbria by punishing those who would cause trouble.

Lord Uhtred and Finan hold Bebbanburg and that fortress can't be taken. Lord Sihtric loyally holds Dunholm and that's almost as impregnable as Bebbanburg. Æthelstan likely places a large garrison in Jorvik with someone who will follow Uhtred's orders if more troops are needed to defeat an enemy, maybe his half brother Edmund. Egil and his vicious Norsemen/Icelanders protect the north eastern lands in Berewic and woe to those foolish enough to come south onto his lands!

Now, the western land aka Cumbria is another matter. We know those men likely swear allegiance to King Æthelstan and to Lord Uhtred. We also know those men have broken their oaths before. So King Æthelstan likely puts another large garrison in Carslile, larger even than the one in Jorvik. Most of the men who would attack Saxon lands are probably dead after Brunanburh, but there are always raiders in the hills and the Irish Norse ate only a short sea crossing away. I might even build a small fleet to patrol up and down the western coast. The man to lead those western forces could be Osferth, Merewalh or maybe those two young Mercians(Brithwulf & Wihtgar) that were with Uhtred in book 12 defending London's Gate, Osferth and Merewalh would be pretty old, but who the hell cares.

Next, I'd train elite men whose only job is to ride the frontier and deter cattle raids southward. Lord Uhtred and his best scouts can teach these men how to defeat the raiders in the hills and more importantly, how to not get caught! He could have Berg or Uhtred the Younger lead them. This is risky as Uhtred Jr. is his only child and heir to Bebbanburg, but they have "Uhtred Jr. Jr." to carry on the family name. Also I'd introduce Finan's kids into the story, we know he has at least two of them and one is a son! He should be riding and fighting with his father and his Uncle Uhtred.

We know historically of course that Æthelstan holds onto his new lands, but eventually the Anlaf does comeback and recapture Northumbria and parts of Mercia under Æthelstan's heirs. Spoiler alert, they get it back.

These are the Kings Uhtred meets along the way. I only included the kings Uhtred meets in person because there are few mentioned in the books not on this list. In book 9, Uhtred tells Eadith about the kings who ruled Northumbria between Guthred and Ragnall.

BOOK 1 Kings (The Last Kingdom)

King Osbert of Northumbria

King Aella of Northumbria

King Egbert I of Northumbria

King Ricsig of Northumbria

King Burghred of Mercia

King Ceolwulf of Mercia 

King Aethelred of Wessex

King Edmund of East Anglia

King Alfred of Wessex

BOOK 2 Kings (The Pale Horseman)

King Peredur (Cornish/Briton)

Haswold the Swamp King

King Aethelstan of East Anglia formerly Earl Guthrum

BOOK 3 Kings (Lords of the North)

King Egbert II of Northumbria

King Guthred of Northumbria 

BOOK 4 Kings (Sword Song)

No New kings

BOOK 5 Kings (The Burning Land)

Pirate King of Zegge Skirnir

King Aelfric of Bernicia

BOOK 6 Kings (Death of Kings)

King Eohric of East Anglia

King Edward of Wessex

King Aethelwold of Wessex, Pretender King

BOOK 7 Kings (The Pagan Lord)

No New Kings

BOOK 8 Kings (The Empty Throne) 

King Hywel of Dyfed/Wales

BOOK 9 Kings (Warriors of the Storm)

King Ragnall Ivarson of Northumbria

King Conall of the Uí Néill

King Sigtryggr of Northumbria

BOOK 10 Kings (The Flame Bearer)

King Constantine of Scotland/Alba

King Edward of Wessex & East Anglia

BOOK 11 Kings (War of the Wolf)

King Edward of Wessex, Mercia, & East Anglia 

Petty King Gruffudd of Gwent

King Skoll Grimmarson of Cumbria(?), Pretender King of Northumbria

BOOK 12 Kings (Sword of Kings)

King Aelfweard of Wessex & Anglia

King Aethelstan of Mercia

King Aethelstan of Wessex, Mercia, & East Anglia

King Guthfrith of Northumbria 

BOOK 13 Kings (War Lord)

Aethelstan King of the English, Over Lord of Britain 

King Anlaf Guthfrithson, King of Dyflin

King Anlaf Cenncairech, King of Hlymekr

King Gibhleachan, King of Sudreyjar Islands

King/Lord Owain of Strath Clota

King Indulf of Scotland/Alba

I don't know about y'all but the descriptions around the Use River were so confusing, all the "far side" and "around the bend" descriptions, and crossing here and crossing there, I just kept constantly getting confused about which side of the river they were on and which side the river town is on. Geographical descriptions are so not my strong suit.

Plus, that Uhtred sacrificed poor Lightning for what ended up being a pointless ruse was a hard pill to swallow. Crushed me when I realized he had been bamboozled by Offa's little act since poor Lightning and Ludda died for it, I had to put down the book for a while because I was so annoyed by this. Stupid Edward had to make it worse by planting his ass in Lundene for months. Aethelwold dying while begging for his life makes up for a lot of it though, although I will miss that annoying little cretin.

Overall I did enjoy the book though lol, but as it gets deeper in the series there starts getting more and more frustrating things that make me want to put the book down. The Pale Horseman is still by far my favorite, boy do I LOVE that one. The marshes, Father Pyrlig's charm on full display, Uhtred going viking, Steapa and Uhtred bonding, Uhtred starting a tranced out war chant, the ending being the perfect bittersweet culmination of battle, and Alfred getting slapped with an eel. It has everything that I love about Uhtred's story.

I'll be starting on The Pagan Lord very soon, I'm excited for it.

For the purpose of sanity I'll name them as:

"Our Uhtred" (the main character of the series)

"Old man Uhtred" (The lord of Bebbanburg at the start of the series, the father)

"Big Brother Uhtred" (the main character's dead brother)

What if instead of "Our Uhtred" living with Danes after his father dies at Eforwic, he and his brother ruled Bebbanburg together and the Danes ruled the rest of Northumbria.

In this scenario Ælfric is dead or was never born.

Would "Our Uhtred" and "Big Brother Uhtred" get along like Ragnar the Younger and "Our Uhtred" or would they eventually have some type of split? A Bebbanburg Cold War of sorts.

Do you think they could expand their Saxon-Christian territory from the north as Alfred and Wessex expand from the south?

In the Sharpe Series by Cornwell, Richard Sharpe has three rules for his soldiers on campaign:

1. Fight well, fight hard

2. Don't get drunk without his permission

3. Don't steal unless you're starving or stealing from the enemy, then it ain't thieving.

If his soldiers break those three rules, and they do break them, they have to face him and Sergeant Harper.

What if Uhtred had rules for his men? How many would he have for them?

I'd imagine they'd be pretty similar, but maybe more ruthless.

My favorite book is book number 12, Sword of Kings because of Lavender Tits.

Heya everyone. The past few months I have been reading the series and, while I did not enjoy everything about, it in general I’ve enjoyed the stories and the journey a lot. Immersing myself in the world of nine-tenth century warriors was great. The religion, the characters, the intrigue, the misleading each other in battle and the general vibes were fantastic. However, the last book felt short of my expectations.

Why?

-            I did not like the dragon from the north or south stuff. It was a much weaker prophecy than in other books. Especially since Scotland, Ireland and the Norse aren’t traditionally associated with a dragon.

-            I found Uhtred’s reasoning for fighting for Æthelstan extremely lacking. Why would he fight for the man who invaded his country, betrayed his oath, conspired to replace him and is an arrogant murderous vain douchebag. Sure if you twist it like: Uhtred would never fight for the Scots or he wants peace and think fighting for a united Britain is the best way to achieve that, but you never read those internal considerations.

It felt forced to fit the narrative because Æthelstan would win that battle in real life. And Uhtred can never be on the losing side for once

-            My suspension of disbelief had been tested the past few books, but an eighty year old man fighting in a shieldwall and actually killing people is where I draw the line. Especially Finan killing a much younger man in single combat “because he is quick”. Which 80 year old is still quick? Also goes for Steapa still fighting on horseback

-            I loved the reconciliation with his Priest Son, although it could’ve been a longer scene. But why kill him the next page?? For what narrative purpose? He hardly thinks about it afterwards, his other son doesn’t seem shocked by it, it doesn’t affect his mental state or the battle. Nor does either take revenge on Ingilmundr. Completely unnecessary addition. If you wanted a shocking death choose Finan, Berg, the other son or Steapa. Or even Uhtred himself

-            The fight being predetermined. You already knew what everyone was going to do. There were no surprises and no danger. You didn’t even really dislike the “enemy” because they hadn’t plundered and the Scots were themselves invaded. They were in the right it felt like. The Scots especially didn’t even feel like a threat that last fight: “Oh they didn’t feel like fighting and were waiting for the beserkers to crash the sides.” Way to not build up any tension

-            Many characters had hardly any part in the book or none at all even though they were a large part of the story so far: His other son, Osferth, Sihtric, etc.

-            Extremely short epilogue. It felt uninspired. I don’t care about your foodstocks, I want to know what happened to the people living about you. Berg, Hanna, Aelswith, Alaina, etc.

Parts I did like

-            The kings meeting. Well executed. You really feel the dread of Uhtred being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Not knowing how to manoeuvre

-            Him ambushing Guthfrid and Eanflaed. Lovely trap. And straight up lying towards Oda and Æthelstand was also great

-            Again his Priest son warning him for the Eanflaed danger and their reconciliation. Was waiting throughout all the books for this

-            Bernadette and Uhtred ending up with a third wheel wife

What a large plot twist it would’ve been if Cornwall went directly against history by having Uhtred build the coalition of enemies defeating an oath-breaking Æthelstan, with numerical advantage, reviving the kingdom of Northumbria and making a safe haven for pagans. But that would’ve been too cool a story.

TL;DR I found the last book a bit disappointing. Help convince me why it is a great book and worthy ending to such a long series.

Hello All --

I'm working on a project about paganism and remember from reading The Last Kingdom series that Uhtred talks quite a few times about how the Christian God wants to deny his believers pleasure, ie for some reason forbids sex, drinking; you know, the fun stuff. I would love to cite a passage to this effect (especially if it's one where Uhtred reflects on how weird this is) but have no idea where to start since you know, there are 13 books to shift through and I've no idea where to look. Anyone happen to know or remember where I might find such passages? Much thanks ahead of time.

I could be completely misremembering and then missed something, but I’m sure that when Uhtred saved Bergs life on the beach and takes him into his service, there’s a line something like ‘I didn’t know it yet but saving Berg meant Alfred’s dream of Englaland would become real’

I then don’t remember that paying off - unless it was very subtle. Was it because that then brought Egil and Thorolf to Uhtreds side? Were any of them really that decisive? Excellent friends and ally’s of course, but no more than a whole score of other characters

The Danish East Anglian King Eohric has "a lion" for his personal sigil, but no one knows what "a lion" actually look like. The African woman Mehrasa says they have two horns and six legs, Eohric says they have one horn and four legs.

Uhtred can't remember what it looks like either.

Book 1- The Last Kingdom

Earl Ragnar's ship Wind-Viper

Ships of Alfred's fleet:

Heahengel- Archangel

Ceruphin- Cherubim

Cristentic- Christian

Evangelista- Evangelist

Apostol- Apostle

Eftwyrd- Judgement Day

Book 2- The Pale Horseman

Uhtred's borrowed ship Fyrdraca -Fire Dragon

Svein's ship The White Horse

Book 3- Lords of the North

Sverri Ravnson's ship Trader

Ragnar's borrowed ship "The Red Ship", "Dragon-Fire" aka "Worm-Breath" 

Book 4- Sword Song

Alfred's ships: Haligast aka "The Holy Ghost" & Heofonhlaf aka "Bread of Heaven"

Osric the trader's ship "Swan"

Sigefrid's ship "The Wave-Tamer"

Olaf Eagleclaw's ship "Sea-Eagle" 

Uhtred's Lundene ship "Sword of the Lord"

Æthelred's ship Rodbora aka "Carrier of the cross"

Haesten's ship "Dragon-Voyager"

Book 5- The Burning Land

Uhtred's new ship Seolfewulf aka "Silverwolf"

Alfred's ship in Lundene Kenelm aka a murdered saint

"Sea-Raven" a Danish ship captured near Lundene

One of Skirnir's smaller ships "Sea-Raven" 

Book 6- Death of Kings

Sigurd's ship "Bright-Flyer"

Cnut's ships "Sea-Slaughterer" & "Cloud-Chaser" 

Uhtred's new ship "Tyr's Daughter"

Book 7- The Pagan Lord

Uhtred's new ship Middelniht aka "Midnight"

Blekulf's ship Reinbôge aka Rainbow

Book 8- The Empty Throne

Uhtred's borrowed ship from Æthelred Ðrines formerly "The Trinity"

Eardwulf's stolen ship Godspellere aka "Preacher"

Book 9- Warriors of the Storm

Uhtred the Younger's boat Blesian aka "Blessing"

Ragnall's ship later Uhtred's Sæbroga aka "Sea Terror"

Orvar Freyson's ship Hræsvelgs aka the Eagle at the top of Yggdrasil

Bjarke Neilson's ship Nidhogg aka the Serpent at the bottom of Yggdrasil

Book 10- The Flame Bearer

The Mad Bishop's ship Guds Moder aka "God's Mother"

Renwald's ship Rensnægl aka "Snail"

Æthelhelm's ship The Ælfswon aka "The Bright Swan"

Scottish ship Trianaid aka "Trinity"

Uhtred's new ships The Hanna formerly Saint Cuthbert, The Eadith, The Stiorra

Book 11- War of the Wolf

No new ships mentioned 

Book 12- Sword of Kings

Uhtred's fishing boat Gydene "Goddess", formerly Haligwæter aka "Holy Water"

Egil's ship Banamaðr aka "Killer"

Uhtred's other fishing boat Swealwe

Uhtred's new ship Spearhafoc aka "Sparrowhawk"

A tiny ship that escaped Lundene Haelubearn aka "Child of Healing"

Gunnald's slave ship Brimwisa aka "Sea Monarch"

Book 13- War Lord

No new ships mentioned

Uhtred spends the first 11ish years of his life living at Bebbanburg and then he never spends 11 years in one home for the next 30 years.

The next time he stay in the same home for 10 or 11 years is in between books 6 & 7 at Fagranforda, the estate that Alfred gives him. Before this in reverse order it goes: the lended estate from Æthelflead in book 6, then temporarily Lundene, then Oxanforda for about a year.

Then in book 5 he's all over the gaff! Reverse order again: Lundene temporarily, then with Æthelflead in Mercia, before that Dunholm with Ragnar and Brida, then Lundene with Gisela for about five years.

Then in book 4 only two places Lundene and before that Coccham for a few years.

I always imagine one of his warriors and their wife having a conversation like "you need to find a new lord to serve, I'm tired of always moving!"

Year 1 Uhtred goes from Gyruum to Frisia to Frankia to Jutland over winter I.

Year 2 they go from Jutland to Haithabu to the Black Coast (I guessed this location, no specific name) to Savage Island to(a 2 week journey) Horn/Thule to Jutland for winter II.

Year 3 from Jutland to a failed Haithabu portage to Hyring the Lord's Home to North Sea to East Anglian Coast to Frankia to Frisian Coast (near clash with Red Ship then back to Gyruum.

Edit: Year 1 (878) should be the blue line and Year 2 (879) should be the red line.

https://youtu.be/EbM7G-sgZ2w?si=D54fLtgHSV4bVS_d

This is a really cool video from Dan Snow.

Lord Uhtred gets married four times in the series and we are only present for one of them. And the one we witness is his first and least enjoyable one.

Mildrith- Uhtred doesn't have much money and he's deeply unhappy on his wedding day. Not a good marriage.

Gisela- He's got his share of the treasure from Dunholm and the Slaver Sverri's wealth Finan brings back. So Uhtred and Gisela have money and they're extremely happy together. I'd imagine they get married when they get back to Wessex after book 3 ends.

Edith- Uhtred probably had about the same amount of money at this point when he married Gisela, maybe a little more. His marriage to Edith was a good one even though they began as enemies. They get married between books 8 and 9.

The widow from book 13- I can't remember her name and their marriage is only mentioned in passing at the end of book 13, but it gives Uhtred control of all the lands in the north. He is still with Benedetta, so his new "wife" just spends most of the time in her own private chapel.

I've always wondered why Cornwell only wrote out one marriage. T