The Last Kingdom Wiki
Register
Advertisement

"Episode 30" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of The Last Kingdom. It aired on April 26, 2020.

Synopsis[]

Hoping to be joined by Edward's troops, Æthelflæd and Uhtred ally with the Welsh to face Cnut's thousand-warrior army at the Battle of Tettenhall.

Plot[]

Deheubarth, Wealas; Pyrlig arrives in the Kingdom of Deheubarth. When approached by guards, he tells them that he has urgent business with King Hywel despite the guards telling him that Saxons aren’t welcome.

Aegelesburg, Mercia; Young Uhtred says a prayer for the lives lost during the Dane attack. Uhtred tells Æthelflæd that they don’t have the time for such luxuries. However, many of the dead are children, which deeply saddens Æthelflæd as she further explains that the Danes also took their heads. Uhtred urges Æthelflæd to leave before the Danes arrive, but it’s too late. Finan and Osferth alert the others that the Danes are charging towards the gate. Uhtred guides Æthelflæd to safety while Aldhelm and Sihtric stay behind with the others to hold off the Danes.

Bjorgulf leads his army into Aegelesburg, killing those who survived the initial attack. He demands that they hand over Æthelflæd. Inside the monastery, young Uhtred, Finan, Sihtric, Osferth, and Aldhelm try to keep the doors shut as the Danes apply force.

Uhtred goes to the roof. Finan and Sihtric follow him with knives held to young Cnut and Esgar’s throats. He tells Bjorgulf to leave or else the children will die. Bjorgulf refuses to leave, and so Uhtred tricks him into thinking that he cut off the head of young Cnut by throwing the body of one of the dead Mercian kids off the roof. In fear that Uhtred will kill Esgar, Bjorgulf retreats.

Knowing Cnut will hunt them down the moment he learns they killed his boy, Uhtred, young Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, and Sihtric prepare to leave. Young Cnut and Esgar are set free by Sihtric as they have served their purpose. They join Æthelflæd and Aldhelm as they leave for Tettenhall.

Deheubarth, Wealas; Pyrlig meets with Hywel as he would like to strike a bargain. However, the king doesn’t make treaties with Saxons. Cnut’s army are slaughtering all in their path and it will bring a dangerous heathen to Wealas’ border. They follow the same God and their faith is now under threat. Pyrlig explains that to take care of Cnut now will save them all bloodshed later. Pyrlig explains that Mercians are gathering in Tettenhall and there are plans for Wessex to join. In return for his help, Hywel wants every last piece of Danish silver. He makes Father Pyrlig swear upon the Bible.

East Anglia; King Æthelred asks for an update on their troops in Lindcylne. Eardwulf explains that the surrounding settlements are resisting, but they will prevail. Æthelred reminds Eardwulf of their bargain; he wants all of East Anglia if Eardwulf's family is to be forgiven.

Eardwulf finds Eadith lying in bed after having sex with the king, who is in a considerably good mood. Eadith reminds her brother that she had sex with the king as a favor to him. So now, he must tell the king the truth about Mercia. However, Eardwulf is reluctant, in fear of the king’s response.

Winchester, Wessex; King Edward trains with Steapa in the yard. He tells Steapa to not allow him to win. Edward is then approached by Lord Æthelhelm.

East Anglia; Eardwulf informs Æthelred that the settlements around Lindcylne have capitulated. Also, Cnut's armies have raided Mercia and taken the king’s palace at Aegelesburg. Æthelred blames Eardwulf, as it was on his intel that they left Mercia. Eardwulf reveals that he got this information from Hæsten, who the king calls a well known liar. Æthelred fears that his reputation will be ripped to shreds. However, Eardwulf explains that they’ve had word from Lady Æthelflæd. She will be at Tettenhall, where she plans to lure Cnut. There is an advantage in this, so the king can return to Mercia a hero. And so, Æthelred asks if his men can be there by morning. As for Eardwulf, when they return to Aegelesburg, the king will have him publicly castrated. His family will never prosper and his sister will never leave Æthelred’s bed.

Winchester, Wessex; Edward questions why his mother has sent Pyrlig to Wealas. He suspects his mother wants Hywel's help. Cnut wants them to march on his terms, and Ælswith has walked them right into his trap. Cnut will hear of them going to Hywel and will think them weak. While this may be true, Ælswith wanted her daughter safe. Edward then informs her that it’s too late as his sister is already marching to Tettenhall. Ælswith tells Edward that this isn’t the way to get people to speak his name in awe.

Mercia; Cnut and Brida command their soldiers to have their defences built by sunset. Just as Brida is about to tell him something, Bjorgulf returns, but without Æthelflæd. Bjorgulf reveals that Uhtred was in Aegelesburg with Cnut’s sons, and he beheaded young Cnut. Cnut grabs Jackdaw’s axe and bludgeons Bjorgulf with it. He commands that Uhtred be brought in immediately. Brida tries to remind him of their actual goal, but Cnut is blinded with rage. Cnut orders Jackdaw to prepare the men to march and send men ahead to follow them.

Mercia; Uhtred and Æthelflæd kiss in the nearby woods. Æthelflæd believes she’ll survive the battle with the Danes because God favors those with goodness in their hearts. Uhtred argues that the Gods simply play with them. But tonight, he will believe what Æthelflæd believes. She then asks about Bebbanburg. He thought it was his destiny for so long, but it apparently was not. All he knows for certain is that destiny has brought him back to Æthelflæd.

Winchester, Wessex; Ælflæd interrupts Edward’s prayer and tells him to come to bed and that God is guiding him. She tells him that their son would like to see him as he often speaks fondly of his father. Edward tells her to leave him alone.

Ælflæd tells her father that Edward is too deep in prayer and that he shouldn't be bothered. Lord Æthelhelm explains that what Edward needs is to listen to those wiser than him, who knows the cost of battle. He then reveals to his daughter that Ælswith was seen visiting Edward’s bastard at the monastery. She arranged a reunion between the boy and his mother. And a rumor persists that her marriage to Edward was legitimate. One that could endanger Ælflæd’s son when the time comes. Lord Æthelhelm encourages his daughter to keep the king satisfied. Another son would strengthen their position. Ælflæd tries to but matters of Kingship weigh heavy on Edward. Æthelhelm must act before Ælswith turns Edward away from them. Æthelhelm assures his daughter he will do what he must.

Tettenhall, Mercia; Uhtred, Æthelflæd, young Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric, and Aldhelm arrive at Tettenhall. They are joined by Father Pyrlig and King Hywel’s army. Pyrlig explains that it was Ælswith who sent him to find allies, as he’s heard nothing from the king. Uhtred still fears that the men they have may not be enough. However, Æthelflæd refuses to back down. With no word from Edward, Uhtred advises Æthelflæd to lie to her men to keep their spirits up.

Mercia; Jackdaw reports to Cnut and Brida that Uhtred is waiting at Tettenhall. Despite Brida's protests abandoning their strong position insults the Gods, Cnut insists he will have his revenge and he and his men ride out.

Tettenhall, Mercia; Uhtred, young Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, and Sihtric devise a plan to fend off the Danes during the Battle of Tettenhall. However, they aren’t certain it will work. Æthelflæd, Aldhelm, and Pyrlig join them as the Danes get close.

Cnut, Brida, Jackdaw, and the Dane army arrive in Tettenhall. Brida notes that something isn’t right and orders them to fallback, but Cnut leads his men forward, right into Uhtred’s trap; a large, camouflaged ditch. As the Danes try to recover, Uhtred, Æthelflæd, young Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric, Pyrlig, and Aldhelm charge, with the Welsh as backup. Brida is knocked off her horse, but she manages to take out two enemies in the same breath. Meanwhile, Cnut pulls himself up from under the pile of dead bodies in the ditch. Young Uhtred is nearly killed by a Dane, but Uhtred saves him, and Father Pyrlig helps him up.

Æthelred, Eardwulf, and the Mercia army join in on the battle.

Just up the hill, King Edward and Steapa arrive with the Wessex army. He wonders who fights alongside his sister. Steapa replies Mercian fyrds, her husband, and the Welsh. Christians united, and without Wessex to lead them forward.

Æthelflæd and Aldhelm fight back to back, taking out multiple Danes. However, Æthelflæd is disarmed and they find themselves surrounded. Æthelflæd has asked that Aldhelm kill her should they ever find themselves cornered, as they now have. Jackdaw doubts that Aldhelm has the courage to kill her, and he is right. She pleads with Aldhelm to show her mercy, but he can’t bring himself to do it. An arrow fired by Edward kills Jackdaw and provides Aldhelm and Æthelflæd with a chance to fight back.

Edward and Steapa join the fight along with the Wessex army. They fight side by side. Steapa even saves Edward from a Dane that nearly kills him. However, in saving Edward, Steapa is killed. Eardwulf then saves Edward from an incoming attack. The Danes then proceed to flee into the forest, Uhtred shouting orders not to let them escape. Cnut spots Uhtred in the thick of battle and gives pursuit, determined to avenge his firstborn.

King Æthelred is nearly killed in battle. He is knocked on the back of his head, causing his ears to ring, though he manages to recover and orders his men to push on. However, he has a notable gash in the back of his head.

Tettenhall woods, Mercia; Cnut follows Uhtred into the woods and they fight. Cnut demands to know why Uhtred killed his first born. Uhtred claims it was revenge for Ragnar. Brida arrives as the two fight for control, though she doesn’t intervene. Cnut claims that Ragnar was weak and Cnut needed him to die, while his son was innocent. Unbeknownst to Cnut, Brida has overheard him admit to killing her former lover. As Uhtred places him in a chokehold, Cnut demands Brida give him his seax. She slowly picks up his blade and Uhtred lets Cnut go. She confronts him for sending Æthelwold to kill Ragnar and stabs him with his own sword. As Cnut kneels there with his sword in his chest, gasping for air, Uhtred reveals that both of Cnut’s boys are alive just before he dies from his wounds.

Brida finds herself surrounded by the Welsh as they take in Dane prisoners. She asks Uhtred to spare her and send her to Valhalla. She refuses to be a slave, which is a fate worse than death. Brida simply wants to be with Ragnar. She pleads with Uhtred to kill her, but they take her in as a prisoner.

Tettenhall, Mercia; After the battle, Edward greets King Hywel. He’s made all Christians proud, and Edward is most grateful. King Hywel then reveals that Pyrlig offered them the spoils of battle in return for their assistance. Though surprised by this revelation, Edward does not contest it. He proposes this strengthens their union. However, King Hywel isn’t interested in an alliance. Nor will he be doing anymore favors.

Uhtred and Æthelflæd reconvene after the battle. However, Uhtred feels guilty for sending Brida to her doom.

Aldhelm believes they owe their victory over the Danes to Æthelflæd. She led them to a great victory that they will speak of for years to come. To which she thanks Aldhelm that she is alive to see it, as he did not kill her as she requested.

Lord Æthelhelm arrives after they have won the battle at Tettenhall. Æthelflæd then thanks Edward for his contribution and for saving her. However, he came against his better judgement, and he doesn’t take his sister’s defiance lightly. He lost many men in the battle, including Steapa. The man they’ve both known since childhood. He blames Steapa’s death on Æthelflæd’s ambition to be loved by all and chronicled for her bravery. He tells her not to return south. Lord Æthelhelm adds that she would not be welcomed by the grieving widows of the Wessex men whose lives were lost. Æthelflæd explains that none of this was done for anything but love of her country. Edward has been made a fool. Unable to even reward his men for their bravery and paying tribute to the Welsh. He intends to make this right.

Uhtred wonders what excuse Edward gave for his cowardice. Æthelflæd explains that he wanted to avoid bloodshed for his men. Which Uhtred argues created more bloodshed. He wants to speak with Edward personally, but Æthelflæd asks him to leave it be and for them to celebrate their victory over the Danes.

Mercia; Eardwulf returns from battle. Eadith suggests that they take advantage of all the chaos and run. The king will simply think that Eardwulf died in battle. However, Eardwulf refuses to run. He will find Æthelred and beg him for forgiveness. Eadith assures her brother that the king will never forgive them for what they’ve done. King Æthelred is carted back to camp. He is wounded, unconscious, and the back of his head is split open.

Appearances[]

First[]

Deaths[]

  • Bjorgulf - Killed with an axe by Cnut.
  • Jackdaw - Shot in the throat with an arrow by Edward.
  • Steapa - Head crushed with an axe by a Dane soldier.
  • Cnut - Stabbed in the stomach by Brida.
  • 800+ Dane soldiers
  • At least 100+ Wessexian, Mercian, and Welsh soldiers

Cast[]

Starring[]

Supporting[]

Guest Starring[]

Uncredited[]

Advertisement