The Last Kingdom Has Edward the Elder Completely Wrong

The Last Kingdom Season 4 came out about a week ago and while I did really enjoy this new season and the direction it went in, I have a major bone to pick with the producers regarding the portrayal of Edward the Elder. Edward was the eldest son of Alfred the Great and his wife Ealhswith, and was responsible for the conquest of large parts of the so-called "Danelaw" of Danish controlled East Anglia, Essex and Eastern Mercia during his lifetime. His portrayal in season 4 is of a young man who is both shown as being indecisive whilst then flipping to the other extreme of being rash and reckless towards the end. Furthermore, he is shown as disrespecting and seeking to harm both his mother Ealhswith and Æthelflæd. The historical record of Edward the Elder directly contradicts many of the things shown in the Last Kingdom with regards to his personality and his campaigns against the Danelaw and will be what I look at in this video.
Related Videos of Mine:
The Droom of the Rood - Anglo-Saxon Poetry:
• The Dream of the Rood ...
How the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings Used Money Differently:
• Why Did the Vikings an...
The Lindybiege Video on The Last Kingdom Season 1:
• The history-pedants' g...
My Oldest Video (A Response to the Above):
• A Response To Lindybei...
Were the Vikings Meaner Than Other Medieval Peoples@
• Were the Vikings Meane...
Anglo-Saxon and Norse Paganism - The Same:
• Anglo-Saxon and Norse ...
Old English - The Langauge of the Anglo-Saxons:
• Old English: The Langu...
Alfred the Great:
• Alfred Was Great But W...
Wessex Before Alfred:
• Before There Was An En...
Alfred the Great's Brothers and Sisters:
• Alfred the Great's Bro...
History of the Viking Age in England:
• The History of the Vik...
Further Reading:
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles - anon. ed. & tr. Michael Swanson.
(Really any edition of the ASC is fine but this is just the one that I was reading from and quoting and which has all the relevant manuscripts within it. While this is a primary source and a great wealth of information, do keep in mind the historical context and possible agendas of its authors who had a vested interest in portraying Edward and the West-Saxons in a positive light.)
Edward the Elder: King of the Anglo-Saxons - Michael John Key
(A very recent work on Edward the Elder which I would highly recommend as it compiles textual evidence from both the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Asser's Life of Alfred and later sources as well as charters and law codes and archaeological evidence to create a narrative of Edward's life.)
Go Fund My Windmills (Patreon):
/ historywithhilbert
Dive into Discord:
discordapp.com/invite/UMzHMtA...
Join in the Banter on Twitter:
/ historywhilbert
Enter the Fray on Facebook:
/ historywhilbert
Indulge in some Instagram..?(the alliteration needs to stop):
/ historywithhilbert
Music Used:
Eine Kleine Nachtsmusik - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lost Frontier - Kevin MacLeod
Loopster - Kevin MacLeod
Teller of Tales - Kevin MacLeod
"Sunday Dub” - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Send me an email if you'd be interested in doing a collaboration! [e-mail]
#TheLastKingdom #Vikings #AngloSaxon

[@greengold6705]

I guarantee you we will see Edward turn into a bad ass the older he gets.

[@historywithhilbert146]

Green gold I hope so!

[@greengold6705]

Love the channel thanks for all of your videos.

[@historywithhilbert146]

@@greengold6705 Thanks for all your support at the end of the day that's what makes the channel as much as me ranting about history :P

[@seifyasser2225]

Alfred was bad ass from the beginning till the end.

[@greengold6705]

It's going to be hard to replace Alfred on the show the guy who played him was perfect.

[@lost6516]

I am Uhtred Ragnarrson, son of Uhtred, my son Uhtred Uhtredson, son of Uhtred Ragnarson reminds me of my lost older brother Uhtred Uhtredson who was slain by the vile viking, and my father. Ragnar, father of Uhtred Ragnarson

[@granddaddyotaku636]

And also father to Ragnar Ragnarson who is the brother of Uhtred Ragnarson who is also the father of Stiorra...👍

[@keighlancoe5933]

You can tell they must have been good at concentration in them ye olde tymes

[@danstone8783]

Don't Uhtred on me mister!

[@StaticYonder]

Uhtred: But I'm Osbert Uhtred: YOU'RE UHTRED NOW! NOW SHUT UP AND BECOME A LEGEND

[@rafthejaf8789]

Destiny is all!

[@northernexile]

Still can't believe the lady who plays Edward's mother is 26....yeah, she's younger than almost all the cast.

[@Spider-Man2094]

And her character is a Grandmother.

[@Raws2000.]

She looked younger and younger each episode

[@Hates-handle]

Dude no way

[@eddiezatt5481]

That's a funny fact. And look at Uthred. He looks like he's 26 but he is supposed to be like 50 in the show

[@Raws2000.]

Eddie Zatt yeah bro at least 50 , he’s gonna need a walking stick soon 😂😂😂 still a legend tho

[@ryanvoll7088]

It’s Historical Fiction, not a Historical Documentary. So, everything that happens in the show or books should be taken as a grain of salt.

[@javanbybee4822]

a large lump of Himalayan sea salt.

[@SM-iy9nm]

Thank you! i wish people would look at these works more technically. Looking at accuracy is fun for a little bit but i feel like youtubers like this overlook the historical fiction changes that further a narrative instead of furthering fact.

[@waynepurcell6058]

@@SM-iy9nm True to a point but to many people literally get the historical knowledge they have (whether rightly or wrongly) FROM shows like this. History isn't exactly the most popular subject for most people. If film companies would mix good historical facts IN with the entertainment (and that's ENTIRELY possible) then maybe the historically ignorant would become a little LESS so. It could also teach many people that history isn't quite as "boring" as they first assumed. There is no harm with people that have discovered enjoying genuine history wishing that would happen. To make things worse often when someone get to researching the actual events movies/series are based on often the historical facts and circumstances wind up being a far more interesting than the "made up" story anyway, so WTF? lol.

[@asddsdsssd]

No shit, no one is debating that. I really dont understand why people watch these videos and feel it necessary to claim 'well its a tv show' as if it invalidates anything. Clearly the dude likes history and is using a piece of pop culture that is well known to educate people on what they might not know. Or you could take it as a personal criticism as people tend to do in comment sections.

[@Jasmine-wc2ef]

The truth is this time in history is called the 'Dark Ages' because there is not as many recordings and writings.

[@MrElliejimmy]

There’s some BS in the series but I love it. And it’s so much more accurate than braveheart. Good work love your channel!

[@historywithhilbert146]

Yeah that's my outlook as well tbh. But do wish they'd make more of an effort sometimes ;)

[@steelbonnet8699]

I have just started the series but read the first 5 books a few years back. Cornwell is clearly anti-Christian and it really come out in this. He likes to paint the Saxon world as a bland, colorless thing. My biggest complaint with the series so far is that it always seems to be winter. What I like about it is the portrayal of Alfred is fairer in the series than in the novels.

[@haroldgodwinsonshouldhavew3875]

@@steelbonnet8699 bruh Cornwell is not anti christian did you fucking read the rest of his books not only the saxon stories.we see the saxon world from the pov of uthred who is pagan what you expected?

[@amiscellaneoushuman3516]

"more accurate than braveheart" isn't a difficult thing to achieve though

[@MrElliejimmy]

History With Hilbert the more I read and watch the history of the British idles the more I think they could make lots of movies. The volume of history is way more than the US where I’m from. My lineage is welsh English and scotch Irish. So I do feel connected to the history. Glad to have found your channel.

[@Lalahmaria]

Some of This “mistakes” are inhereted from the books. Aethelhelm is a sort of villain in several books

[@codiersklave]

Just as he said in the video ;-) And Bernard Cornwell also commented on that issue... as is said in the video :-D

[@odysseusflowers5080]

The last kingdom has heavy video game vibes. Main character is extremely significant to historical events yet is seemingly absent from historical documents, and meets all kinds of important historical figures such as ubba, Guthrum, Alfred, Etc. The show’s arcs are structured like quests too.

[@Gekkeijumaru]

not to mention he keeps doing the side quests before doing the main quest

[@odysseusflowers5080]

@@Gekkeijumaru ikr bro took five seasons to complete the season one main quest

[@jonherron7418]

I like to think Uhtred is related to Forrest Gump.

[@gronndar]

loool. In the books when Brida + people take York, Uhtred was doing side quests at Ireland. Had to cancel that anger quest giver (Edwards sister)

[@kuma8093]

Thats what I liked about game of thrones, characters doing quests getting stronger and shit lol. Too bad the last season was a dumpsterfire.

[@neill392]

Cornwell always includes an "Historical Note" at the back of the novels where he explains which bits are made up and which events and characters have been moved around for dramatic effect. The makers of the series have done significant additional "moving/inventing" without acknowledgement. But as someone pointed out, it is fiction, not history.

[@LKeyYT]

Such a pity that they made him out to be this rash, thoughtless arseling. The siege was something else, cavalry charging towards the walls of Winchester, had me dying inside.

[@Shrave]

Right?! What did he expect the cavalry to do once they got to the wall? Stop and wait? Almost as dumb as the Dothraki charging into the white walkers...

[@Talvekuningas]

yeah i have no idea what so ever who these show people hire. they must be absolute fucking dumbcunts. yeah cavalry charge into wall. the dothraki and entire siege episode.. yikes. oh and witcher tv show had also a siege where the nilfgaardians just run at the main gate with swords only to ram it down. no shields either. haha. just yeh i don't get it. also with this show. season 4. WHAT happened to shields?????? only last 2 eps had shields in it. what the fuck . supposed to be anglo saxon/viking era.

[@user-dn4ou7io1f]

honestly no joke that killed the season for me it as so out of place and logic for a king and all his army to go alon running into a wall that it killed the immersion. Unfortunate cuz it was my favorite show.

[@kapneo8399]

and what happened to all the citizens of Winchester?

[@theshadowling1]

At the time, the gates were open, and the guards were clearly not ready. They get to the gates as they close. If the vikings had been a little slower, they'd have been inside, and the whole army could have flooded into the city, avoiding any need to a seige.

[@kristiannicholson5893]

I thought the series did fine, it's impossible to display character growth and maturation if they start off being the best at what they do, Edward will grow into one of the greatest King's in english history because that's what happened in history but to watch a story about it you need drama, failure, and reconciliation. As an aside I grew to hate Aethelflaed this season.

[@JoudanJanaiHa]

What did you hate about her this season?

[@dambrooks7578]

You hate a woman who is dying of breast cancer, how heartless are you? 😂

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Only difference is that Edward by the end of season 4 has been king for 12 years. If he hasn’t got it right yet, how much longer will it take?

[@Lesortic]

Omar_ Elattar. 12 years? how did u gather this

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Nick The time jump from season 3 to 4 is 8-10 years. And the show spans over a couple years in season 4.

[@djJaXx101]

I found the most annoying aspects of this season were things like: Edward losing his temper and charging with his army on horseback at a... brick wall (the castle he was trying to win back at the end)

[@MrAkaacer]

I have no doubt this is where the British started the tradition of attacking walls, eg WW1 and the mg wall ;).

[@the.reel.mccoy.]

I agree. It wasn't an example of "desperation" like I think they meant to make it appear, it was just plain stupid. I kept thinking that everything about the scene could have been awesome, but it just wasn't. I think they would have been better off having the men use Canoes as cover to approach the gates, as they had in some historical reference. Or something at-least a little more logical.

[@keighlancoe5933]

I have noticed the 'realism' has gone out of the window since season 1. It was alot more realistic and believable, and there weren't any fancy sword duels or lone warriors cutting down swathes of men without breaking a sweat like some übermensch, it was very realistic. However as the season has progressed alot of the action sequences have dropped in quality and just look silly. I still love the show but it needs to go back to how it was in the first season

[@keighlancoe5933]

@@MrAkaacer in the first weeks of WWI, about 100 British soldiers killed about 5000 German soldiers in a single battle, the reason being the Germans were marching into battle in formation, like it was still the Napoleonic war; the British had 3 machine guns and literally mowed them all down as they just marched into their gunfire in ranks. Technology at that time had far, far developed quicker than the tactics could keep up with. For the first year of that war they were basically fighting like the Americans did in their Civil War, but instead of muskets they had artillery cannons, machine guns and bolt action rifles that could fire relatively quickly and hit their target at great distances.

[@david8j796]

Cedric Coe hopefully it’s doesn’t follow in the footsteps of Vikings season 5

[@opwards]

The books are far different to the series. The series take many liberties from the books to form the script. Bernard cornwell the author is a student of history. Granted he is a historical fiction author and does from time to time adjust the facts or timelines to suit his fictional story but for the most part it does seem he likes to stick to history as much as possible. By far the best historical fiction writer out there.

[@keegan112099]

Yeah I was SHOCKED how much of Book 1 was Utrids childhood and then how different book 3 and 4 (that's where I'm at) are from the show as well have been pleasant.

[@opwards]

@@keegan112099 awesome man. Lots of good reading still to come then man. I think there was 13 in total in the series.

[@sarahhiggins1515]

I just recently started reading them. Ive only read the first two and they seem fairly close to the show. It sounds like when netflix took over from the bbc it took a lot more liberties?

[@opwards]

@@sarahhiggins1515 something like that. As they progress. There is 13 books. There is only so much of that they can fit into a tv show so yeah they take some liberties and tweak the timelines or stories a little bit. You will pick them as you read if you watched the series first. The books are even better as they have the time to describe and elaborate on things where when adapted to screen they are limited to time constraints.

[@J..P..]

Cornwell is ok at best. He routinely shoe horns in his anti Christian worldview into his stories, which gets tiresome. For example, in book 1 he writes about the monks at Lindesfarme monastery raping and killing the peaceful Danish settlers of a nearby community. I spent hours looking and could find no reference to this event. It was completely contrived by Cornwell and likely built out of his rejection of the 20th century Catholic church and it's well known issues and conflating it with the monastic tradition of the pre schism 9th century Church. Read/listen to Harry Sidebottom, who has an actual depth of knowledge on the historical timeframe he writes about and can really bring it to life. It came to no surprise to me to find out after I listened to book 1, that he's a university professor on the topic. It also has less of the hero wins victory after victory after victory motif that permeates the historical fiction genre. His "warrior of Rome" series was on KZbin last I checked. (Which was over a year ago) and is honestly better than anything Cornwell has written.

[@tartaruga42]

I don't think Edward is portrayed as an idiot in the series. He lives constantly under the weight of the impossible decisions he must constantly make while trying to balance what's best for the kingdom, his own personal integrity, and the support of his court. There's also the factor of carrying on his father's legacy, and living up to his standard, while he himself being very young and taking up the throne at a stage where not even he himself felt ready. Still, he's had the modesty of acknowledging his own mistakes and tried to right his wrongs.

[@raynemorales6457]

I agree with you on that. Edward is just finding his way. I think he'll turn out to have a very rich character arc. Fingers crossed!

[@jimzimmer2048]

Rayne Abigail Morales he better

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Charging walls with horses is beyond idiotic. And people need to remember Edward isn’t a teenager anymore. In season 4, he’s in his late twenties or early thirties. He’s been king for 12 years by the end of season 4.

[@Tugela60]

Young by our standards, not by the standards of his day. He was a seasoned warrior and trained politician. He did after all get the nobles to support him rather than Aethelwold, who actually had the senior claim to the throne. He was actually one of the great Anglo Saxon kings, up there with Alfred and Aethelstan in terms of importance to the development of England.

[@yeyosilver7067]

He is

[@beastguyson]

I tried saying this exact same thing to people and they were just like nah you're wrong. The show tried so hard to play up to the fact that Edward can't live up to Alfred that they forget how much of a savage Edward actually was in real life.

[@B3li3verAcDc123]

The historical accuracy shouldn’t be a problem since ya know Uhtred. I think the show does this deliberately.

[@uhtredofbebbanburg2233]

Okay, I admit it. I lied a lot about Aethelred and Aethelflaed, Iseult and Eadward, and even the timing of the battle of Cynuit because that happened after Guthrum took Exanceastar. But I did kill Svein of the white horse.

[@andreascovano7742]

3:40 Welcome to hapsburg 101

[@Azaghal1988]

Most of the historical inaccuracies in the show are carried over from the novel series it's based on.

[@ronweber1402]

@k halliday It's like he thinks it's supposed to be a historical documentary or something, it's not, it's a story as much as Shakespeare's Henry V and MacBeth are history.

[@ABAlphaBeta]

And some of them are Alfred's own propaganda, yet people are blinded by fanboyism of this rando king who spent his life wringing his hands at Scandinavians who'd migrated fairly normally - the Saxons had been disunited for centuries and through their own fault and scheming. By all accounts Ceolwulf and Aethelred were normal rulers, but Alfred dragged both their names through the mud despite them actually being on the rank of co-king, at least for Ceolwulf. From a modern, moralist, biased point of view that one must take to say "Alfred was a good and great man", one can quickly realise than killing people for personal gain and the pretense of trying to unite people for political power are not "good" and it's counterintuitive scheming rather than "tactical genius" or "great leadership". Take a man, have him kill everyone, declare some unfeasible project and have him irrationally hate people of other cultures and you've got the workings of a man who will go down in people's hearts as a good man because they read "the Great", some historical vulgarisation works and decide they love him.

[@robbycrawley1569]

Which is why it’s considered historical “fiction “..

[@andrewcleall8667]

k halliday I have to say I got ( with some difficulty) about 12 minutes into this video . I have just done all 4 seasons in 3 days and felt keen to research this part of history in a brief way . I also researched all of Bernard Cromwells books that are based on this fantastic series . It’s fiction .. the series apparently doesn’t follow to the letter the books either , so I am as bewildered as you seem to be as to why you make a video that says the last kingdom is not accurate, Er it’s fiction .

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Not really because the show and books at this point aren’t similar at all.

[@michaelkelly6051]

As others have, I watched "The Last Kingdom" from the first season and knew immediately that it was a dramatization of history rather than an historical account. In that vein, it isn't unlike Shakespeare's plays about English kings: to read (or viewed) as entertainment, not a faithful depiction of history. The giveaway is, of course, from the character of Uhtred and his merry band, which were not historical figures at all. I've not read the Bernard Cornwell series of novels on which the television series is based; so how much in the TV series is from Cornwell's novels or from the show writers' imagination I don't know. I enjoy watching the TV series but I also enjoy watching these videos with your comments regarding the history of that period. I look forward to more videos and have subscribed to stay current.

[@oseaburime3525]

people have said that this uthred of bebbanburg is supposdley the grandfather of the real uthred. I mean the show

[@samrevlej9331]

@@oseaburime3525 Has to go back further than his grandfather. The historical Uhtred of Bebbanburg was ealdorman of Northumbria between 1006 and 1016, when he was assassinated. The show takes place in the late 800s-early 900s. Uhtred has to be 40-50 years old by Season 4's end (he doesn't look it). His children probably wouldn't have lived past the 950s at most. His grandchildren would've died in the 980s at the latest. It might be a great-grandson or a great-great-grandson of his.

[@joehunt390]

The books are historical fiction allegedly the author is related to the real life uhtred. The character is a based off.the real.gjy bjt again is a fictionalised version

[@mostgar]

SPOILER: I was annoyed out of my mind when they just fucking walked into Winchester like it's nothing. And the way they defeated the Welsh is very cheap and probably not historically accurate. Also armour seems to do nothing. And Uthrid quasi King of mercia... That whole season is a little off.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

I guess they were playing Total War very casually and thought "well Edward is pretty bad at being king too, so he'd probably forget to garrison his capital too, just like me."

[@ericbarney4130]

Him becoming king was the only way Ethelfled could become Queen which is historically accurate it's a TV show some stuff is gonna be fake but some is gonna be historically accurate

[@gerhardswihla1099]

How dare you are. They have this very talented screenplay writter who knows exactly that a viking force beaten in Ireland has no problem to do a suprise attack on a Welsh kingdom and get all thier longbows including the manual how to use a longbow in a blink of an eye. Also it is common knowledge that those Welsh people do know nothing about their home turf, so ambushing them is easy as breathing. And marching from Wals to Winchester in Wessex without gonig by Mercia is no problem if you use the Bifrost Bridge. You only have to bribe Heimdall. Conquering Winchester is the easiest part. Remember this guarded walls and the Gateway at Winchester? Thats the parade gate. Every other Gathouse into Winchester and walls sourounding the capital is still under construction and not worth to guard it. Hope you enjoyed this pure and logic history lecture´.

[@bobs_toys]

@@gerhardswihla1099 why would they need to bribe Heimdall? They're his people. And as for capturing Winchester, all I can say is it looked super easy. Barely an inconvenience.

[@Jake-pm3pz]

Yes true in real history vikings rarely used bows and the welsh actually defeated them. And it makes no sense how siggtrygyrs small group of men took 2 castles that easily, complete joke

[@aaronstonebeat]

I enjoyed the last season very much, and it's not even on Netflix in The Netherlands yet ;-) At least as much I enjoy you putting the historical record straight, as far as is possible. It's a double treat! Dankjewel!

[@historywithhilbert146]

Hey bedankt voor het kijken! Weet je wanneer die wel in Nederland uitkomt?

[@aaronstonebeat]

@@historywithhilbert146 Dat kan nog wel een jaar duren heb ik ergens gelezen.

[@Ponakalaranjit456]

@@historywithhilbert146 You Speak Dutch

[@84LBB]

No lie, this post reminded me that I had a book I ordered about Edward sitting on my front step 😂

[@historywithhilbert146]

84LBB Is it the one by Michael Key?

[@84LBB]

@@historywithhilbert146 It is! Also got one by Harriet Harvey Wood for my Kindle.

[@Bagginsess]

Please go outside more.

[@historywithhilbert146]

@@84LBB Oh brilliant! I quoted it a few times in this video. I read it over Christmas when I was travelling around the Netherlands on a secret channel project but it's a great book with really new information and just a great overview of the existing evidence in my opinion.

[@historywithhilbert146]

@@Bagginsess I 100% agree but legally cannot given the lockdown situation :P

[@lissalong7045]

Very interesting 🧐 and I’m glad you cleared up Edward the Elders reputation. I love TLK because it prompts me to find out more (or the truth) about these historical figures!

[@historywithhilbert146]

Awesome thank you! Really glad you enjoyed it and keep pursuing that interest it makes shows like this more interesting in my opinion!

[@mhmhartmann]

This content was great. I love hearing the historical context for this show which I’m currently obsessed with. Please make more videos.

[@jeffreyzellan4124]

Excellent video. I am very glad you did that. Putting the television character Edward in historical perspective was very interesting.

[@mayabangtan1727]

How is it dodgy for them to marry their first cousins? European monarchies have been doing that till modern era. Queen Elizabeth is the product of two first cousins

[@mrhaz8939]

Right? This guy stretches it way to far

[@ladyliberty417]

Been watching the fourth season and wondering about accuracy so thanks! Also the Scottish question and creating a united England is really interesting, and important!! More info please Hilbert ✌🏼🥰

[@historywithhilbert146]

I'll dedicate some more videos to the topic soon.

[@christrobaugh2882]

It's nice to see the difference between actual history and the show. I enjoyed this video, and look forward to more.

[@georgegooding57]

History is always rewritten. And idiots never question it. Look at modern history books. So different from what I as taught in the early 70s.

[@stevetobin7495]

George Gooding we really havent a clue what happened any-time..we werent there and even written records were created by monks for political reasons

[@therealmaskriz5716]

Sometimes things get corrected. This a fictional series loosely based on real events. Know the difference.

[@Larryandbob]

Why are you certain it is the history books in the early 70s that are correct?

[@aarongraybeal6583]

For a Netflix's show they have done pretty good. Maybe not accurate, but still better than anything else on TV. I give the show props. Cant wait for the next season!!!

[@oseaburime3525]

sorry to break it to you but its not a documentary. And most of the show has been historically accurate

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Ose Aburime No it has not.

[@eddys.3524]

Nice video with a good and clear explanation of the period.

[@historywithhilbert146]

Edwin Slee Thanks Edwin glad you enjoyed it!

[@grubbybum3614]

@@historywithhilbert146 it was ok. I like this show, why must you shit on my parade? This is why you're a historian, and they're film writers. I jest, it's an interesting video. And this show is better than Vikings.

[@ser3589]

Great video. I always look forward to a new one.

[@isajmody2344]

I'm still catching up with this series, so thank you for the historical confirmations. I was getting a little confused.

[@WarDogMadness]

wait wait the welsh helping mercia, pull the other leg raiding it maybe. there's an obsession with showing the welsh as romano British post migration period stuff, but there kit would be the same as the saxon.

[@Jake-pm3pz]

The welsh usually wore lighter armour than the english to suit their guerilla tactics in the mountains and forests. Small welsh armies wiped out much larger english armies by using these tactics.

[@kristiannicholson5893]

They would have used more bows, before it was the English Longbow it was the Welsh Longbow. Hard to climb mountains with a hundred Welshmen shooting arrows down a slope at you.

[@thesnoopmeistersnoops5167]

Wasn’t there a kingdom in wales in his King Arthur series that still tried to imitate a roman legion

[@WarDogMadness]

@@Jake-pm3pz well no armor just tunic and the important people have mail.the guerlla tactics are wrote about later owain glyndwr time 13th the evidence show field batlles meeting the viking in the field rhodri the great defeated them could have been why they never settled in a large amount of wales.

[@WarDogMadness]

@@thesnoopmeistersnoops5167 if you got the evidence id love to see it the reenactment group hilbert and i are in regia anglorum would like it as well because welsh centric kit his hard to find evidence for.

[@swan6279]

The Last Kingdom is one of my favorite shows and there's not enough channels on KZbin that do videos about it. I've always understood that there's a lot of fiction in their stories to make the show and books better. But I would love to know more about the real characters and the true history behind the show.

[@ivymoon1779]

There are lots of books about it. Be ready for dry reading for the most part and very complicated.

[@Vingul]

The lazy historical inaccuracies and outright falsities doesn't make the show better. More like unwatchable (unless Lindybeige is narrating the stupidities).

[@ringsideT]

WOW… interesting..! Your knowledge of this history is quite impressive!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@HighAdmiral]

I didn't know this series was still ongoing. I'm glad I'm subscribed to you... how did that sentence go... good as barley...

[@lisandromartinez7687]

Inglés well ... in the season they said more than once that he is "young" and he is learning. at the end of the season he was seen as more comforter (as he was)

[@arsenal1548]

Bernard Cornwell knows this. He even admitted he edited the character in the historical notes part of his novels. The show just took his edits to extremes

[@omar_elattar.6500]

In the books, Bernard at least portrays Edward as a competent King. He’s not a major character but on the side, he’s taken East Anglia.

[@danielelliott95]

Just preordered Kay’s book. I’m so excited to learn even more about him.

[@ryanhey3425]

Now the new season is out I can imagine your brain blowing up with the historical imaccuracy can't wait for the video please make one!

[@Don_duex]

The show is based on books that are historical fiction... It's Uthred's story not Edward's so obviously its not going to be historically accurate..

[@dambrooks7578]

Indeed, abput as historically accurate as Sharp 😉

[@Ben-vl5ew]

So what? This video is just talking about Edward and informing people about the real king edward

[@Don_duex]

@@Ben-vl5ew I agree 👍

[@eclipceis8086]

But make him into a shit ass character? I don’t think so sis

[@bubba842]

Im Kind of worried how far the TV series is deviating from the books. Since Netflix has taken over its getting further from the books every season. The whole Winchester seige was stupid in my opinion and didn't happen in the books. I still enjoy the show but I'm a little disappointed in the script writers.

[@AtlanteanVrilChad]

Siggtrygr was supposed to have lost his left eye trying to besiege Ceaster.

[@bucko9423]

Everytime Netflix gets its grubby hands on a TV show it inevitably goes to shit. That's typically why lots of shows produced by them have really strong first seasons, then fade over time.

[@thesnoopmeistersnoops5167]

Bucko the BBC dropped it though. No Netflix = no Last Kingdom

[@SolarDragon007]

Yeah I don't know why they don't stick more closely to the books. They have great source material to work from, yet they decided to just make shit up this season. It's extremely disappointing too since Book 8 was my favorite book of the series.

[@Patrick-vh5nr]

thesnoopmeister Snoops that would be better than this turd of an offering.

[@TheWelshViking]

Spot on as usual, dude!

[@Caroleonus]

This is a great video but I did chuckle when the arrow for Winchester (8:14) pointed somewhere into deep west Dorset, being a Hampshire lad

[@Jasmine-wc2ef]

This time is called the dark ages because there isnt a lot of writings & recordings from this time so no one really knows.

[@MrFirefox]

yet they still make terrible mistakes

[@degeest5571]

I agree with you, he was quite different in the books also.

[@wiseoldwizard]

Thank you for making this video :)

[@sian2337]

This was fascinating, thank you. Do you have any film or series recommendations? I could never get into this period of history before, but am intrigued to learn more now.

[@PunishedlLongshanks]

Any chance of a video on AC: Valhalla? Could be a fun game, but, in terms of its depiction of history...well...

[@historywithhilbert146]

I think a few channels have gone through it but guess I could too?

[@PunishedlLongshanks]

@@historywithhilbert146 Up to you, mate. I always enjoy your takes.

[@grubbybum3614]

@@historywithhilbert146 nah.

[@RamanShrikant]

man I miss Leofric

[@TonyMontanaDS]

Started the video excited...I'm falling asleep and there's still 16 minutes left.

[@juliandeboer27]

Hey Hilbert! Waar kunnen we seizoen 4 zien?! Hij staat hier in NL nog niet op Netflix helaas.. :( in ieder geval weer een goeie vid en een duimpje omhoog!

[@HansVonMannschaft]

Bernard Cornwell very often used characters who were historically already dead, or not there, or quite different from how he is depicted etc etc. It's just a technique he uses to tell stories with more narrative freedom

[@Michelle-qd9gm]

A massive fan of the last kingdom just watched season 5 and it does not let us down it’s fantastic

[@Censord]

So. Much. Death . Lol

[@rafharmain6808]

I hope Edward will be given that character development throughout the series with him becoming a better King and learning from past mistakes 💪🏽

[@remontada9916]

Really loved the intro theme music at the beginning😂😂😂😂

[@keighlancoe5933]

In fairness, he's only just become Se Cyning, he's still half an Æþeling. I think he'll make a few more mistakes and endure some trials that will mould him into a much better man eventually

[@kevwhufc8640]

Alfred is made to look weak & yes he suffered from " chrones disease) or something like that, but he fought against the Danes , he's more like a priest in tv series , yes he was very pious , but I don't believe he was such s sap that let his wife bully him ⚔ Love your vids btw

[@SuperRichyrich11]

The real Alfred was weak, frail and constantly sick. They actually got that part dead on. He did fight in battles, but it's likely he either did very little actual fighting himself and when he did he was either mounted or surrounded by a body guard unit, or both... just like in the show. He was sort of like Octavian / Augustus, brilliant politician and military strategist... but not much of a fighter.

[@kevwhufc8640]

@@SuperRichyrich11 comparing Alfred to Octavian is high praise indeed.

[@adventussaxonum448]

@@SuperRichyrich11 So weak and frail that he led his personal troops in an uphill charge against the Danes at Ashdown, before his brother had finished praying. His reoccurring bouts of sickness did not mean he was frail in between.

[@PamelaClare]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks! My knowledge of Britain comes to an abrupt end at the departure of Rome. I love THE LAST KINGDOM, but I also enjoy knowing which parts of it are wildly inaccurate.

[@avalonseer]

Love the show and this video :) I've read all the books as well and historical fiction, either in books or television, will usually take some liberties with the facts to make a more "interesting" story. Also there are just a lot of things we don't know about this time period, after Alfred the Great died there was no one recording everything so it goes a bit dark information wise. As a lover of history though I love to compare the real and the fictional just to see where they choose to change things up.

[@donarw1064]

In season 4 it is clear that they want a piece of the "Vikings" pie as this show comes to its end. They deviate a lot from history , seasons 1 & 2 were close. Also they need to pay more attention to weaponry . Saxons did not carry rectangular shields . Danes wore helmets , they make them look like a heavy metal band . Also their combat tactics were very cautious , the show depicts them like crazy berserkers. Also Hungary where the show is shot is far more sunny than England.

[@witcher3andthewildblunt834]

You know the show starts with the Saxons adopting Danes tactics and formations right? So what you mean they just act as berserkers? Also if you have to complain about the sun being too bright I think you're grasping at straws

[@ayachoo]

Its historical fiction and not a historical documentary. The author of the books said many times he doesnt want to write a 100% historical accurate book

[@keighlancoe5933]

As an Englishman it's very obvious Last Kingdom isn't filmed in England. The grass and the trees are the wrong shade of green, the hills don't look anything like our rolling plains.

[@Matthew-cp4mu]

Ye the historical inaccuracies kinda pissed me off but it was a pretty good season

[@nathandurrence134]

@history with Hilbert, you’ve read the books right? Could you do a video discussing the radical changes between the books and the TV shows? I think it would be interesting

[@bengeorge9063]

The intro music was hilarious !

[@patrickblanchette4337]

To be honest, what really bothered me this season was the nerfing of Æthlflæd and Brida’s characterization (seriously, WHY DOES SHE HATE UTHRED?!), and the fact that Edwards allow’s Cnut’s brother (correction: cousin) to live (when he has him completely surrounded!).

[@bubba842]

Styerger is not Cunt's brother. It was silly but it was scripted for the TV show. The Winchester seige is not a part of the books.

[@pghbeaster]

You mean to tell me i've been watching a Historical fiction and not a documentary? My life is a lie

[@martinbobfrank]

I love the show, and even though it is not historically accurate it gets people talking about it and even looking it up. It just makes the show better to realise that things like this happened in the past. I normally wouldn't listen this long to a history video that is 90% talk, but I found it interesting and so well done and I hope you do more. You do not have to 90+ to talk about history, but younger people talking about it sounds like they are reciting something at school, but you don't.

[@deeds517]

Thank you for the information I’m a huge history nerd. ♥️

[@deeds517]

Me too

[@internetenjoyer1044]

The siege was stupid. Why didn't he...starve the Danes out? You know, what sieges are for? The show tried to show what was a winning position for Edward as some kind of desperate circumstance.

[@KingdomCooperFan]

The siege was ineffective largely due to Edward's own fortifications and preparations which he had built up in the years before in the event that he himself would be placed under siege. The Danes essentially used Wessex's fear of an invasion against them. As a consequence, Sigtryggur's army was both well-defended and had stores upon stores of food. He wouldn't be able to stay in there forever, but his plan was always to humiliate Edward and then negotiate with him in order to receive some land, not to conquer Wessex. He also had plenty of hostages to threaten and kill if Edward proved to be stubborn.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

@@KingdomCooperFan But if he killed those hostages, he had nothing but time. He could hold out long, sure, but holding out long does nothing when there's nothing he can do. His hostages could've bought the siege to an end on good terms for him, but he gave away the hostages and his walls were breached. He had lost, completely. And THEN Edward negotiates? Makes no sense.

[@Cklert]

@@internetenjoyer1044 I think the idea was that time was against Edward in the long run. The Danes essentially had Edward's entire family, his heirs, and Alfred's legacy as hostage and that it could be ended at any moment. So if they did ended up starving them they'd probably just kill his heirs anyway. It was suppose to show that Edward had more to lose than the Danes. Which to a degree, is true. Everytime the Danes lose, they just retreat and regroup again with overwhelming numbers like they always do. Though I do agree the negotiations was something that could only happen in fiction.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

@@Cklert They had hostages, but they couldn't touch those hostages if they wanted to survive. The only viable end goal for the Danes was to bring Edward to the table; showing them destroying Alfred's possesions slowly would be very good to that end, and the family are good assurance that Edward will be willing to give them a away out rather than kill them at all costs, but Edward had time. He could've demobilised half his forces to save money, and just sat and wait for the Danes to inevitably negotiate. Now, Sieges were well understood in the middle ages. maybe this is too early for the military docitrine to be establish, but both parites, upon reflection, should have looked at each other and gone "yeah okay this is obviously a negotiation sitution. We Danes can't hold this place, but we can take a lot of this stuff, including your family, with us if you insidt on killing us. So now we talk about how much gold you give us to leave.".

[@kapneo8399]

the battles and fight scenes are so unsatisfied to me. it's hard to point out which acts/moves/strategies won the battles.

[@franburkett8810]

anime OSOME it would be really hard to film that situation. However most of the battles were fought head on as portrayed by the shield wall.

[@jeffreyzellan4124]

Perhaps you can do a similar type of video with regard to Aethleflaed? For example, they gloss over her victory up north, but perhaps there is more to the story of the Lady of Mercia.

[@christianlovelock3910]

For example, she never took Eoferwic

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

Oh and yes please MORE Last Kingdom videos!

[@georgevana]

This was my biggest beef with the show so far. Same as you, I was expecting better from Edward, based on my knowledge of him from history books. Lets hope it will get better next season and the focus will be little less on his sister.

[@jimzimmer2048]

Jiří Váňa it’s like all Saxon men are incapable

[@kingolo97]

@@jimzimmer2048 well no Alfred was highly capable, as was Odda, Aldhelm, and the Saxon warriors. Even Aethelwold was competent, he was a proven warrior, not top tier but still, and tbf he was smart; he just wasn't brave and he was sneaky, those were his flaws

[@jimzimmer2048]

@@kingolo97 you know what i mean they portray all non vikings as stupid in most shows

[@kingolo97]

@@jimzimmer2048 not to the extreme of vikings though, in vikings they were portrayed as literally invincible. In this show I saw it more as the vikings getting the better of the Saxons whenever they let their guard down, but Edward I'll admit he's weirdly impulsive, but I think they did that on purpose to illustrate his inexperience

[@jimzimmer2048]

@@kingolo97 in the last kingdom its just Uthred,Uthred and more Uthred

[@mahadibrahim8836]

Could you make a video of the real uthred I heard he was 100 years later after alfred

[@nathanscarlett4772]

History Time has already made it. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIGlen58iZKMiKM check out this guys other stuff too, simply amazing!

[@mahadibrahim8836]

@@nathanscarlett4772 yeah I watch it already I wanted to hear from it in a different perspective. History time is one of my favourite youtuber alongside kings and generals and flashpoint.

[@historywithhilbert146]

I'll probably look into him at some point but in the meantime as Nathan said my mate over at History Time has a dedicated video and I do talk about him in my video on the Viking Age in England: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn-0fmVvj7qLrM0

[@markios6824]

I Learned a bit,thank you.

[@jonathanmoran2412]

Bernard Cornwell, the author of the books this series is based on points out his historical inaccuracies at the end of each book, along with an explanation of why he took creative license with the historical record. The guy is an amazing writer and if you enjoy this series you would really enjoy the books.

[@sairadha674]

Books themselves are so good

[@SolarDragon007]

@The Nova renaissance I'm currently on "The Flame Bearer". Is there any sense in the latest book that the series will reach it's conclusion soon?

[@matthewlucas4142]

SolarDragon007 there’s one more coming, that’ll be the end of the series

[@kevwhufc8640]

Bernard Cornwall usually says when and why he diverts from history, at the back of his books. Its been years since I read the books, but I don't remember him making Alfred seen as weak as the tv series, Edward is being made to look weak indecisive stupid, in reality he had been fighting the Danes long before Alfred died. Chester was taken back from the Danes by athelflead mercians They took back more and more of mercia, forcing the Danes to stay behind the eastern side of watling street. Ethelred was thought to have received severe head injuries possibly at tattenhall ( spelling? Ethelred is just made out to be a bad guy , nothing historically says he was,. The ships are the Saxon navy that alfred the great started. ⚔⚔⚒🗡⚒

[@ABAlphaBeta]

You thinking he looks great is fanboyism and personal preference but ahistorical

[@pjeffries301]

Excellent comment, thx.

[@kevwhufc8640]

@@pjeffries301 the audio books are on utube , I love listening to them at bedtime, they're more detailed as books always are and uhtred is more violent than the TV character, I forgotten how much the TV version has changed or left out altogether I love beocca , but he's nothing like the book version. Uhtred fought steapa not ( I cant rem his name, aelfwich!? Steapa Snotor ( the clever) bc he was slow witted even though he was a good fighter. Give the books a go , I love the details books can go into. But on TV would take forever fitting everything in. The Sharpe books are available too, Sharpe is completely different in the books, really violent , he robs kills bashes everyone it seems, nothing like the good guy of the TV series.

[@pjeffries301]

@@kevwhufc8640 Hey, thanks! Love drifting off to a good book. Most folks seem to think they are better than the show, which I enjoy, so looking forward to it.

[@kevwhufc8640]

@@pjeffries301 I like both , more details & characters in books , impossible to add everything in TV series, would be great imo but each series would be about 30 episodes , lol Audio books are great I keep falling asleep and have to remember where I got up too ⚔👍

[@tinkdnuos]

Man...yeah, the books (and Cornwell's historical notes at the end of each) explain it all.

[@lindakennedy750]

The Anglo Saxon history was very informative for me since I’m from America we don’t know too much about English history I know some I was a history major but this was really really great and enlightening and in my old age I’m going to delve into this Anglo Saxon Chronicle which I know about years ago for my history courses you did an excellent job so good so well prepared I’m American impressed

[@benscott326]

The whole season was a little botched. Hopefully they get it back together because it’s still a great show with amazing story/actors

[@joka619]

there can never be historical accuracy in this world cuz history is written by the victors.

[@ksodz1397]

Well saxons defeated the vikings so I guess they are the victors

[@theblueblurb5270]

Please do one over the new season!

[@agentlemanofhermajesty7051]

I hope they show Æthelstan The best King out of all Anglo-Saxon Kings

[@NorthernLights10]

15:35 I think I read somewhere that the Welsh were the last bastion of the Romano-Britons after the withdrawal in 410, and thus they inherited a lot of Roman culture by the time of the 10th century. Tell me if I've got that completely wrong.

[@historywithhilbert146]

I mean yes but the show is set post 910 which is a long time after the last vestiges of the "traditional" Roman influence on Britain left. There are influences from Rome but these come in the form of the church at this point, think of the manuscript tradition we see sometimes, but even that evolved and developed an awful lot since the days of Classical Rome. I take your point that they were aspiring and looking back at Rome but the fact they're all wearing quasi-Classical Roman gear like it's some kind of dystopian "choosing day" where they all wear the same colour etc. is a bit ridiculous in my view :P

[@NorthernLights10]

@@historywithhilbert146 Yeah I suppose it is a little incredulous that the Welsh would be wondering about in Roman gear 500 years after the withdrawal. Still I just thought it was a interesting side note.

[@dianeshelton9592]

History With Hilbert I must admit I enjoyed seeing a little colour in the show, everyone else is unhistorically accurate dressed in shades of black, almost impossible in those days, grey, see above and various shades of brown. Plant dyes are extremely vibrant, Rose madder, woad blue and tansy yellow. Though granted they did wallow in the mud, there is no reason to suppose they would not have cared for their extremely expensive, in terms of labour and fabric , clothing by washing it.

[@toade1583]

Not really, the lands of the Welsh were originally the parts of Roman Britain that weren't Romanized. It was the cities like Londinium(London). That's why the Welsh and Cornwall kept their Celtic culture and religion up until the 1100s. The reason why the Anglo Saxons came to Britain in the first place was due to the Romano-Britons calling them to defend against the Welsh and the un-Romanized Celts of Britain.

[@jameswitts3793]

I thought the casting of Sigtryggr was pretty bad Looked like a skinny emo trying to be a Viking

[@Knez_Pavle]

More like a b-list glam metal frontman 😅

[@jamesw9873]

I think the point is that he's younger, hence a younger and less stocky actor

[@ronweber1402]

@@jamesw9873 You can have young but huge dudes. Look at Viking's Alexander Ludwig.

[@AtlanteanVrilChad]

His acting was good though. If he had worn chainmail you wouldn’t even see his skinny arms

[@ABAlphaBeta]

@@ronweber1402 Who looks like an wrestler and not a single bit like an actual medieval Norseman.

[@ilijas3041]

I think the idea with this portrayal of Edward is to show how he was burdened with this huge responsibility from an early age, he was naturally a bit reluctant and afraid at first, easily influenced by heavyweight eldermen around him... and than he evolved into the beast he really was on the screen in front of us. Probably much thanks to Uthred and his help, similarly to how his father developed through his relation with Uthred. And also this little bastard boy who later became the first king of the English will probably be somehow Uthreds product. The Last Kingdom is like the story of this most influential but never really mentioned and remembered person in these formative time period for England, Uthred the forgotten father, grandfather and godfather of England :D

[@omar_elattar.6500]

He’s been king for 12 years. I like Timothy as an actor but he wasn’t that well written.

[@minisam1988]

completely agree with you but here is the kicker, in the books he is portrayed as needing his fathers guidance and when Alfred dies (in books) he relied on his Thengs, Earls and lords to guide him the lord of Wiltshire plays a big role but I cant remember his name Aethelhelm I think. I haven't seen the series yet but from book cannon I didn't like how he was portrayed either.

[@iclapuyt5582]

But still... Is no one going to talk about the hollywood style fighting?

[@seanmcguire7974]

I was thinking the same thing. They're making edward out to be a nut compared to what's written about him

[@melindam2776]

Agree, the series is more history fiction. But, so many of us didn't know anything at all about this era until this series. But watching it they started to look for more information.

[@matfhju]

Where doo i stream this show? I hawe only seen the 2 first seasons and i lowe it

[@ladyhecate9450]

When I started watching this series in the beginning, I really did not know the was that much of a history, not until I did research. I loved the show simply because it is really good. So if some parts of the show is not real....oh well. They make movies under the guise that it is historical but anyone knowing history know that something did not happen like in The Longest Day or the shootout at the OK Corral. Why do that....I guess to make things interesting.

[@Silonch]

*stuff looks like it’s going to get serious* Tywin Lannister: the battle is over, we won

[@ceradaddygibson]

Aside from perhaps the dates of death being wrong and the painful vagueness of the passage of time, I think the books and the show did a wonderful job of creating a meaningful story and character development out of historical events that we really don’t know much about.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

Hilbert, I must take a moment to thank you for this work. I am a direct descendant of Edward the Elder through all three of his wives. I am also a direct descendant of Æthelhelm, Ealdorman of Wiltshire. Moreover there are two Æthelgyth of Wessex and Mercia. I distinguish them a 1 and 2. The Brittonic and Welsh names are confounding to the English tongue.

[@Lsempleify]

hahahahaha aw that intro's brilliant

[@historywithhilbert146]

Glad you enjoyed it ;)

[@Lsempleify]

​@@historywithhilbert146 i get up and dance every time that woman starts singing.

[@witcher3andthewildblunt834]

Am I the only one who thought this latest season was a bit of a mess? Beyond the pacing i don't know what I dislike about it but it just felt like the weakest season so far

[@Patrick-vh5nr]

Witcher 3 and The Wild Blunt it was terrible

[@Talvekuningas]

Season 3 was masterful tho ! so many shield walls !

[@user-dn4ou7io1f]

I agree , the editing was weird as well and uthred ended the season exactly where he started pretty bad character progression. The battles and tactics were even more retarted then ever i mean stopping mid-fight to negotiate , charging cavalry into a wall? it was pretty retarted and all this coming from someone who proudly says the last kingdom is his favorite show.I guess it got net-flixed.

[@christianlovelock3910]

Definitely not - pacing was off, characters acting out of character, things that didn't make sense

[@christianlovelock3910]

@@user-dn4ou7io1f One of my biggest gripes is what they've done to Uhtred, or taken away from him. He's supposed to be slowly growing his wealth, power and band of loyal warriors. Considering what happens in The Flame Bearer, which should be the second half of next season, it's a bit ridiculous that at the end of this one he just returned to Cookham... again. I used to say the same thing man but now, I probably wouldn't.

[@billwhite364]

Bernard Cornwell takes liberty with history in his books of fiction. The books are enthralling. The series is epic. Thanks for this history lesson The movie will be a must see!

[@mommaofheathens3509]

The characters are named after real historical people, including the powerful/defeated (by Uhtred) Vikings of the series. But their lives were 100s of years apart. Uhtred was a real warrior but not alive during King Alfred’s reign. I did some research after the first season after becoming really interested in all the Viking’s Earls.