Source -Books and Movies.
https://en.wikipedia. *The Last Kingdom (866-876) -Historical Characters: Alfred the Great, (Sons of Ragnar) Ubba, Ivar, Halfdan, Guthrum (Dane), King Edmund of East Anglia, King Osbert of Northumbria.
https://en.wikipedia. *The Lords of the North (878-881) -Characters: Alfred the Great, Guthrum (Danish King of East Anglia),
https://en.wikipedia. *Sword Song -Historical Characters: Alfred the Great and members of his family, Haesten (Viking Leader)
https://en.wikipedia. *The Burning Land (892-893) -Characters: Alfred the Great and members of his family, Bishop Asser (who later wrote Alfred’s biography), Haesten (Danish Jarl), Constantin (Prince of Alba -Scotland)
https://en.wikipedia. *Death of Kings (Family Tree of Alfred the Great) -Alfred the Great was dying… not sure this one is based on historical events -it’s about Uhtred (the narrator), a fictitious character…
https://en.wikipedia. *The Pagan Lord. -narrative by Uhtred; ten years of relative peace between the Saxons and the Danes since Alfred the great died. Wessex and Mercia are the strongholds of the Saxons under his son King Edward. Historical Characters: King Edward of Wessex; Haesten (Danish Jarl), Ethelred, Lord of the Mercians. In the year 910, a great battle between the Angles and the Danes at Tettenhall-the system of burhs for defense to keep Wessex safe expands...Uhtred to play a crucial role in the coming war between Cnut’s Danes and Edward’s Saxons…
https://en.wikipedia. *The Empty Throne. (911) The forces of Wessex and Mercia have united against the Danes… Ethelred, Lord of the Mercians is dying without heir, the stage is set for rivals to fight for the throne. Historical Characters: King Edward, Ethelstan, Sigtryggr (Danish jarl). “Action-sequences are pearls of pure adrenaline”, amid well-constructed characters with the historical detail skillfully woven into the plot.
https://en.wikipedia. *Warriors of the Storm. 10th-century Mercia, Northumbria and Northern Ireland. After becoming the ruling lady of Mercia, Ethelflaed is establishing control… Edward, King of Wessex is conquering East Anglia… Uhtred will become involved in a struggle between family and loyalty, between oaths given and political demands; and the class between the Vikings and the Saxons will resound across the land. Historical Characters: Ethelflaed (Athelred’s widow), King Edward of Wessex, Athelstan, Haesten (Danish Jarl), Sigtryggr Ivarsson, Bishop Leofstan.
Yet to be published: The Flame Bearer.
Yet to be published: The Flame Bearer.
Movies - https://en.wikipedia. The Last Kingdom. (Amazon DVD $9.99). TV Series (BBC) -produced by Netflix -Historical fiction based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories. Set in the late 9th century AD, when England was divided into seven separate kingdoms. The Anglo-Saxon lands are gradually attacked, plundered and in many areas effectively ruled by Viking Danes. The Kingdom of Wessex remains the last major stronghold against the Danes. The protagonist, the fictional Uhtred of Bebbanburg, is the orphaned son of a Saxon nobleman of Northumbria after his father, brother and most of his family is killed by the invading Danes…. He is taken back to Denmark as a slave, which becomes his adopted home… years later, his adoptive father’s home is set ablaze and he is burnt alive… Uhtred vows to avenge his death and claim his (birthright) lands… Forced to choose between a kingdom that shares his ancestry and the people of his upbringing, his loyalties are constantly tested. The first series’ story-line roughly covers the plots of the original two novels, The Last Kingdom and The Pale Horseman. The second series’ covers the plots of the third and fourth novels, The Lords of the North and Sword Song. Historical Characters: Guthrum (Danish Viking), Ubba (Viking chieftain, commander of the Great Heathen Army -a coalition of Norse warriors that at 865 AD invaded Anglo-Saxon England), King Alfred the Great of Wessex, Odda (ealdorman of Devon, a Saxon), Ethelwold aka Ethelwald (younger son of Ethelred, King of Wessex from 865-871), Guthred aka Guthfrith (King of Northumbria ca 883), Ealhswith (wife of Alfred the Great), Ethelflaed (Lady of the Mercians, daughter of Alfred the Great), Asser (Welsh monk; in 893, wrote a biography of Alfred) Series 2: Rollo (Viking), Bjorn (Viking)
Series 1, Episode 1: In 866, the Danish earl Ragnar leads a fleet of dragonships to the coast of Northumbria. He lands and kills the eldest son of the Saxon King of Bebbanburg, Uhtred. Uhtred engages Ragnar and his viking army at Eoferwic. The Danish army feints being pushed back, leading the reserves of the English army to ecstatically attack too early, and the entire army is flanked by a hidden force of vikings. Uhtred is killed and his 10-year old son, Uhtred, and a girl called Brida are taken as slaves by Ragnar. Living on Ragnar's estate, the boy saves the Earl's daughter Thyra from Sven, son of Kjartan, Ragnar's shipbuilder. Kjartan is banished and Sven is blinded in one eye. Uhtred and Brida are adopted into Ragnar's family and raised as Danes. In adulthood Uhtred and Brida see Earl Ragnar killed and Thyra taken by Kjartan and Sven. Uhtred decides to embark on the task of regaining his lands from his uncle, who is aligned with the Danes.
Series 1, Episode 2: The death of Earl Ragnar and an English uprising in the North is blamed on Uhtred. Appealing his innocence to the Danish warlords Ubba and Guthrum, Uhtred witnesses the death of the East Anglian King Edmund in the manner of a Christian saint. When his appeal is rejected, Uhtred and Brida flee to Winchester, capital of Wessex, the last surviving English kingdom. Alfred is wary of the pagan Uhtred and Brida and when Uhtred supplies information of an impending Viking attack he advises King Aethelred to imprison them pending the outcome of the battle.
Series 1, Episode 3: King Aethelred and Alfred win the battle but the king is mortally wounded, bequeathing his crown to Alfred rather than his own son. Uhtred and Brida are released and Alfred seeks a peace treaty with Guthrum and Ubba. Uhtred advises Alfred what the Danes fear and watches Alfred negotiate a peace to give Wessex time to prepare for future battles. Uhtred trains the Saxons after pledging his allegiance to Alfred for a year. Brida miscarries Uhtred's child. Earl Ragnar's son, Ragnar the younger, appears, seeking the truth about the death of Ragnar the older. Realizing that Uhtred will not break his word to Alfred, she leaves with Ragnar who is bent on revenge against Kjartan.
Series 1, Episode 4: In order to gain land and become an Ealdorman, Uhtred is persuaded by Alfred to marry Mildrith. Unbeknown to Uhtred, she bears the burden of her deceased father's debt to the church, two thousand shillings. Uhtred realises he has been tricked. Despite this, love blossoms and Mildrith becomes pregnant. The Danes, under Guthrum and Ragnar the Younger, capture the fortified town of Wareham. During peace talks Uhtred and nine others, including a priest, are used in a hostage exchange with the Danes. He meets his brother Ragnar and Brida again. Meanwhile Mildrith gives birth to a son. When the peace collapses, with Ubba's imminent return from Ireland, the hostages are all killed except Uhtred, who is allowed to leave after Ragnar's intervention. He spies a large Danish fleet under Guthrum, and lights the first beacon warning Wessex of a new invasion.
Series 1, Episode 5: The Danish fleet lands in the south but loses many ships in a huge storm. Alfred goes south to defend against Guthrum and Uhtred joins the force led by Odda the Elder, facing Ubba and the Danes at Cynwit on the Severn. Uhtred sneaks into the Danish camp and sets fire to some of their ships, causing confusion. But he is spotted and forced to fight Ubba to the death. He kills Ubba and Odda's forces arrive and defeat the Danes. But Odda is injured and, in Winchester, Odda the Younger persuades Alfred that the victory was his work. Uhtred objects and is humiliated by Alfred. Mildrith, Uhtred and their baby son (also Uhtred) return to their lands. Uhtred kills Oswald, the estate's steward, after realising that he has been cheating him.
Series 1, Episode 6: Uhtred and Leofric leave Wessex with armed fighters dressed as Danes, to raid Cornwall and pay off Uhtred's debts. They are approached by Brother Asser, a monk. His king, Peradur, pays Uhtred and his band to attack a nearby fort held by Skorpa of the White Horse and his vikings. Uhtred and Skorpa double-cross and kill Peradur and his men. Skorpa then double-crosses Uhtred to take the king's treasure. But Peradur's pagan queen Iseult shows Uhtred the hidden treasure. Uhtred pays off his debt to the church with some of the plunder. Uhtred and Iseult arrive at Alfred's court, where Uhtred is accused in the Witan by Asser of raiding Cornish territory. Leofric, who is forced to testify against Uhtred, pleads with Alfred to resolve the dispute by fighting Uhtred to the death.
Series 1, Episode 7: During Leofric and Uhtred's fight to the death, Guthrum's army attack. Uhtred, Leofric and Iseult rescue Hild and escape, hiding in the Somerset marshlands. There they discover Alfred, fleeing the Danes with his family. The king sends a message to Wulfhere, Beocca and Asser, who rally to him with their remaining forces. Iseult cures Alfred's sick son Edward, but warns that another child will die as a result. Skorpa's fleet of ships is moored elsewhere in the marshes. Uhtred and his men lure the guards into the deeper marshes, where they are killed and their ships set alight.
Series 1, Episode 8: Wulfhere and his men desert Alfred to join Guthrum. Alfred and his remaining force journey to Odda in the hope of gathering an army. Uhtred discovers his son has died, fulfilling Iseult's prophecy. Iseult also reveals that Uhtred's sister Thyra is still alive. Alfred sends messages for loyal troops to gather at Egbert's Stone. Odda the Younger rejects Alfred's request for troops. Odda kills his son for his treason, and his men join Alfred and meet up with the other troops. Alfred's army defeats Guthrum and Uhtred slays Skorpa. However, Leofric and Iseult are also killed. Young Ragnar and Brida are taken as hostages to secure the new peace with the Danes, and Guthrum converts to Christianity having seen Alfred's victory as proof that his 'God is with him'. Uhtred, Hild, and Halig ride north to Bebbanburg.
Series 2 (2017), Episode 1: In 878 Uhtred, the fearless and instinctive warrior, beginning his voyage north to reclaim his ancestral lands of Bebbanburg. Alfred's conviction to unite the kingdoms of England is stronger than ever, and he sets his sights on the wild lands of the north, which have fallen under the control of the Danish warlords Erik and Sigefrid. Beocca recruits Uhtred and his companions to rescue Guthred, the king of Cumberland, from his Danish captors. Guthred is both Dane and Christian and the hope is that he will unite northern England against the pagan invaders. Guthred is held for ransom by Sven, and Uhtred pretends to be an undead warrior, sent by Odin to avenge the death of Ragnar the Elder. The ploy works and the Danes are scattered. At his keep in Dunholm, Kjartan hears word of Uhtred's presence in Northumbria and plots revenge.
Series 2, Episode 2: Kjartan's spies infiltrate the Cumberland camp. Uhtred is attacked, but saved by his warriors. Hild goes on a journey of self-discovery as she considers exchanging her life as a nun for that of a warrior, and Guthred's efforts to emulate Alfred's conciliatory tactics backfire when his indecision and lack of ruthlessness weaken the Saxons' position. Uhtred and Guthred's sister Gisela discover a mutual attraction while the Cumberland count brokers a truce with Erik and Sigefrid. Uhtred swears loyalty to Guthred as his ealdorman, but Guthred's advisor Eadred convinces Guthred that Uhtred's popularity among the men will eventually lead to Uhtred usurping the crown. Guthred enters an alliance with Uhtred's uncle Aelfric and has Uhtred made a slave, to be sold off. Uhtred's follower Halig refuses to leave his master and is sold as well.
Series 2, Episode 3: Uhtred and Halig are thrown in chains on a ship by the Icelandic slaver Sverri. The lords of the north congregate in Eoferwic, where Aelfric abandons his alliance with Guthred due to him not being presented with Uhtred's head. Erik and Sigefrid break their truce with Guthred as well, now that he has no backing. Uhtred and Halig are brought to the Norse colony at Húsavík as timber workers. After a failed escape attempt, Sverri has Halig bound to the prow of his ship, where he eventually dies. Uhtred is eventually brought back to England to be sold to Sven. Young Ragnar arrives and rescues Uhtred, having been instructed by Alfred to bring his field commander back. Hild nurses Uhtred back to health. Eadred tries to force Gisela into marriage with Aelfric to rekindle the alliance, with a proxy standing in for the missing Aelfric. Uhtred and Ragnar interrupt the "marriage", and Eadred is killed by Uhtred after taunting him numerous times. In Wessex, Alfred confronts Uhtred about the murder. As Ragnar held responsibility for Uhtred, Alfred blames him and blackmails Uhtred into swearing fealty once more to save Ragnar from retribution.
Series 2, Episode 4: The followers of Ragnar the Younger, lead by Rollo, gather to avenge the death of Ragnar the Elder. In order to have sufficient men to storm Dunholm, Guthred's men are needed and an alliance is necessary. However, Brida does not want Ragnar's men to die for Guthred, whom she dubs "the Turd". Uhtred confronts Guthred about his betrayal and Guthred agrees to support Ragnar's campaign if Uhtred expels Erik and Sigefrid. Uhtred sneaks into the brother's camp and attempt to assassinate Sigefrid. The assassination is botched, but he manages to take Sigefrid hostage and forces Erik to agree to leave England. Uhtred releases Sigefrid after cutting off his sword hand, which he presents to Guthred. Uhtred and Beocca infiltrate Dunholm through a secret entrance and let Ragnar's and Guthred's forces into the keep. In the ensuing battle, Rollo and Sven are killed, and Ragnar duels with Kjartan to the death. Thyra scolds her brothers for not rescuing her years ago, but Beocca soothes her and helps her deal with her trauma.
Series 2, Episode 5: Some time has passed since the battle of Dunholm, and Uhtred still serves Alfred as lord of the Wessex town of Coccham. Despite the peace of recent years, trouble is brewing in nearby East Anglia and Aethelwold brings Uhtred a strange tale, along with a proposition that is hard to ignore. Uhtred's continued strong will and latent restlessness create tension and strain during a royal visit from Alfred, and an unexpected meeting with the Northman Erik gives Uhtred more food for thought, although it puts him and Gisela at odds. Meanwhile, at Winchester, preparations for the royal wedding are under way, as Aethelred of Mercia arrives. Beocca confides in Uhtred and is left with an important question to ask.
Series 2, Episode 6: Winchester celebrates Aethelred and Aethelflaed's wedding, but the festivities are short lived as the clouds of war gather and Alfred runs out of options to keep the peace. When rumours swirl, Alfred's mistrust of Uhtred deepens and Uhtred is relegated in his duties as the warlord of Wessex. Aethelred is called to step forward, but a fatal mistake allows Erik and Sigefrid to outwit the Saxons. Terror reigns.
Series 2, Episode 7: Aethelflaed is missing and Aethelred and the Saxons return to Winchester to break the news to King Alfred, while Uhtred goes home to Gisela with plans to uncover the truth by his own means. Alfred's stubborn determination causes Odda to question whether the will of the king and the good of the kingdom are at odds - will he need to make a choice of loyalty between the two? Uhtred and Sigefrid come face to face for the first time since the Northmen's banishment from Northumbria, and Uhtred is confronted with a decision which will define the fate of Wessex.
Series 2, Episode 8: When King Alfred is told the great sum of Aethelflaed's ransom - and the horror that will likely befall his daughter if Wessex does not pay - he feels there can be only one way forward, despite this jeopardising the kingdom. Suspicions at Beamfleot threaten to unravel the lovers' escape plan, and Uhtred must think on his feet if he is to secure Aethelflaed's freedom and save Wessex. Odda risks everything for the kingdom and makes an unlikely ally, while Gisela and Uhtred contemplate a future as enemies of Alfred. In a devastating showdown at Beamfleot, there is passion, heartbreak and treachery.
Critical reception: mostly positive…hairy dudes with swords, daggers, cloaks, leather, mud, blood, imaginative violence… (ladies -some) beautiful, wise, brave, bad… (a little less sex than Game of British Thrones -with a fraction of the swearing or nudity) ”it isn’t pure fantasy, but is about a real time and a real place, and some of these hairy dudes are actual dudes.” -it’s a ton of fun”
Movies - https://en.wikipedia. (1969) Alfred the Great: portrays Alfred the Great’s struggle to defend the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex from a Danish Viking invasion in the 9th Century. Plot: When the Vikings invade England, Alfred is about to take his priesthood vows. His brother, King Ethelred of Wessex, summons him to his aid and Alfred leaves for battle, where he appears to be a great tactician. Ethelred dies… Torn between following intellect or passion, Alfred at first refuses to succeed Ethelred, but is forced to accept kingship after the Danes attack again…. Alfred defeats Guthrum (King of the Danish Vikings in the Danelaw), knocking him out, but decides to spare his life and forgives (his wife) Aelhswith (Ealhswith)... also, listed in the Cast, Ivar the Boneless, Viking leader and a commander who invaded England… (Amazon DVD $17.99) *see, also, http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/ The making of Alfred the Great.
Movies - https://en.wikipedia. Churchill’s People, TV Series (BBC), based on Winston Churchill’s A History of the English-Speaking Peoples. (1st broadcast, 1974, ended 1975) was widely regarded as misconceived: little in the way of realism, much of the acting was criticized -viewing figures plummeted and the program was swiftly buried in a later time-slot for the remainder of its run.
Books - https://en.wikipedia. *C. Walter Hodges, The Marsh King and The Namesake: A Story of King Alfred (available on Amazon.com).
(Poem) Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton -about the idealized exploits of Alfred the Great (under the auspices of God working through the agency of the Virgin Mary)
xxx
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