Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last Kingdom season 5.
The Last Kingdom season 5's ending fittingly resolves the historical drama's riveting narrative by granting Uhtred his birthright of Bebbanburg and the surrounding lands. The thrilling series finale pits the armies of Uhtred and King Edward's Saxons against King Constantin's Scots, Wihtgar's forces, and Aethelhelm in a brutal fight at Bebbanburg. The Last Kingdom's action-packed final season prefaced its conclusive battle with the gutwrenching deaths of Aethelflaed, Sigtrygger, Osferth, and Brida, all while Aethelhelm's treachery against Edward brewed in the background. All of The Last Kingdom's story threads culminated in season 5, as its ending paves the way for the series' final chapter.
The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred Ragnarsson, who was robbed of his ancestral land of Bebbanburg as a child. Uhtred was born of Saxon ancestry but adopted by Danes after his father's death. Uhtred's endeavors in The Last Kingdom take place in medieval England in the 9th and 10th centuries. Beginning his journey serving King Alfred of Wessex, Uhtred made a name for himself slaying Danes in the name of Saxon rule and in hopes of accruing enough influence to one day reclaim his birthright. Throughout the series, Uhtred's dual identity solidifies his stance as a warrior who dances to the beat of his own drum.
The Last Kingdom season 5 may signal the end of the TV show's run on Netflix, however, the streaming service will produce a follow-up movie titled Seven Kings Must Die — which adapts the final three novels of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories series and conclude Uhtred's journey. While not many loose ends remain at the end of The Last Kingdom, the series concludes with several open-ended developments that should see their resolutions in the film. Here's where The Last Kingdom finishes its story and the meaning behind each major event.
Why Does Uhtred Deny King Edward Power Over Northumbria?
Uhtred's reclamation of Bebbanburg as Lord of Northumbria marks the resolution of The Last Kingdom's central plotline. The outcome generates a new conflict, as Uhtred had initially intended to cede the lands to Edward and even supposed that it was his destiny to make England for Alfred's son. The Last Kingdom's biggest finale twist arrives when Uhtred refuses to grant Edward control of Northumbria after their victory. The shift in Uhtred's plans appeared to partially stem from the promise Uhtred makes to Stiorra and the Danes as he convinces them to align with him and Edward in the battle for Bebbanburg. Uhtred vows to ensure that Danes will live freely in his lands — a prospect that Edward's jurisdiction would have undermined. Edward's history of waging war against Danes contradicts the hope of a peaceful future, thus the only way for Uhtred to pay the Danes their due was to refuse Edward control over them. As Uhtred conveys to the man himself, Edward never represented a leader capable of ruling a just kingdom of both Saxons and Danes–quite similar to King Aethelred in Vikings: Valhalla.
Furthermore, Uhtred's power in Northumbria would have faced the threat of King Constantin and the Scots — who had long contested their right to the lands. Uhtred's gradual transformation into an expert negotiator results in a deal with Constantin obligating the Scots to rescind their claim to Northumbria in return for the territory's neutrality. In the end, Uhtred secures a lasting peace that promises to benefit all of his lands' inhabitants. However, Uhtred and Constantin's negotiation unfolds unbeknownst to Edward, who seethes upon learning the news. A betrayal in Edward's mind, Uhtred's scheme likely won't pass without future consequences.
Why Does Aethelhelm Take His Own Life?
As his chances of victory crumble, Aethelhelm cowers inside Bebbanburg's walls in The Last Kingdom before Aethelstan finds him. After forcing Aethelhelm to tell Aelfweard that he orchestrated the attack that killed his mother, Aethelstan allows the traitorous Saxon to live, though Aethelhelm announces, "Tell my grandson I am a man of honor" before driving a knife in his throat. Aethelhelm takes his own life due to the ultimate failure of his plan to seat his grandson Aelfweard on the throne of Wessex. Aided by the Danes, Uhtred and Edward's army had overcome Wihtgar's and Constantin's men, leaving Aethelhelm cornered and without any powerful allies. Furthermore, Aelfweard's abandonment of Aethelhelm following his discovery of his grandfather's schemes serves as the final straw. With his only other option to live ashamed and alone as Edward's prisoner, Aethelhelm makes the decision to end his life instead.
What Does Osbert's Arrival At Bebbanburg Mean?
One of show's final scenes depicts Hild approaching the fortress from the shore of Bebbanburg accompanied in The Last Kingdom by a boy named Osbert. The show clarifies that Osbert is Uhtred's estranged third child when Hild hints that the new Lord of Bebbanburg knows something of his origins. Osbert was born when Uhtred's wife Gisela died in childbirth, after which Uhtred was exiled from Wessex. With Young Uhtred and Stiorra seemingly on Uhtred's side, Osbert's arrival promises to create an intriguing dynamic within Northumbria's ruling family.
Perhaps even more interesting is the prospect of Osbert becoming an antagonist. Before Uhtred impales his cousin Wihtgar at Bebbanburg, Wihtgar promises that Uhtred's son will kill him one day, referencing their grim family history. It would seem farfetched for Young Uhtred, marked by his humility and devotion to his Christian faith, venturing down a sinister path in which he seeks to unseat his father, so Wihtgar's final words might foreshadow Osbert's eventual role as one who vies to secure the title of Uhtred's heir. This outcome could prove reasonable, as Osbert might feel wronged by Uhtred's neglect of him, motivating the boy to pursue revenge.
Uhtred Finally Fulfills His Destiny
In the spirit of The Last Kingdom's defining phrase, "Destiny is all," the series finale fittingly delivered Uhtred's fated ending as the Lord of Bebbanburg and its surrounding lands. Despite all of the hardship he endured over the series' five seasons, including losing three love interests, two children, and two of his childhood friends, not to mention being bargained into slavery, Uhtred triumphed over impossible odds. With his many years spent serving kings and fighting battles finally rewarded at The Last Kingdom's conclusion, Uhtred now possesses the leverage he always dreamed of and can hopefully retain for generations.
Stiorra Reconciles With Uhtred
After choosing the lifestyle of her Norse ancestors at the end of season 4, Stiorra followed a stunning path in The Last Kingdom season 5. Overcome with anguish following the execution of her husband Sigtrygger, Stiorra shockingly killed Brida moments after Uhtred promised to forgive her instead of choosing vengeance. Stiorra's subsequent disavowal of her father resembled Brida's own growing distaste for Uhtred prior to season 5, however, it appears that the two reconcile, as Uhtred's promise to protect Danes' livelihoods in Northumbria indicates a promising future for the pair's relationship, as well as for the peaceful coexistence of Saxons and Danes. Stiorra's actions in The Last Kingdom season 5 prove that she possesses her father's fiery defiance, which could drive her toward darkness, but also like Uhtred, she exhibits fearlessness and competence in the face of peril, making her the perfect figure to lead alongside her family in Northumbria.
King Edward Falls Short Of A United England
When he inherited the throne of Wessex following King Alfred's death in The Last Kingdom season 3, episode 9, King Edward was tasked with turning his father's ambition for a Saxon land unified under one king into a reality. Although conflicts with Danes and turmoil among the Saxon leaders hindered Edward's pursuit of England, The Last Kingdom season 5 brought him ever closer to his goal (though, much like Edmund in Vikings: Valhalla, his flaws have somewhat hindered him). After he declared himself ruler over Mercia and Eoferwic, only Northumbria has evaded Edward's grasp by the end of The Last Kingdom, though it's hard to believe that Uhtred's newfound leverage will discourage the Saxon king from attempting another conquest in the years to come.
How The Last Kingdom's Ending Sets Up Seven Kings Must Die
The plot of The Last Kingdom sequel movie Seven Kings Must Die has been kept under wraps, though it's likely that many familiar faces will join Alexander Dreymon as he portrays Uhtred one last time. Uhtred's refusal to grant Edward a united England is primed to spark further conflict beyond The Last Kingdom season 5. The two headstrong leaders possess deep-rooted respect for one another, however, their history is simultaneously marked by profound discord. Edward is certain to view Uhtred's surprise move as an undermining of his power as King of the Saxons, which could land the two on opposing sides of the battlefield. Additionally, with Osbert in the picture at the end of The Last Kingdom season 5, it's likely that he will represent a prominent figure in Seven Kings Must Die alongside his father, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
The Last Kingdom season 5 is now streaming on Netflix.