Mildrith of Liscumb (Mildrith of Oxton in the books) is a supporting character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. Mildrith was Uhtred's first wife.
They were married as part of an arrangement whereby Uhtred gained command of the tiny Wessex fief. The two do not really love each other, as a result of their vastly different outlooks on life and religion.
Biography[]
The Saxon Stories[]
Mildrith is mentioned the first time in the novel "The Last Kingdom" when Uhtred serves on the Saxon ship "Heahengel". It is around the year 874 when she is 16 years old. Her age gives the men around Uhtred the reason to ponder why she is not married yet, and they consider her "ugly as a sow" because women usually married much earlier. To see her the first time, Uthred must meet Odda the Elder in Exanceaster. Mildrith's other suitor is Odda the Younger who is envious about Uhtred.
As part of her dowry Mildrith brought with her a homestead in Oxton which bore an enormous debt because her father had pledged a substantial portion of his estate to the church which he had repeatedly been unable to pay.
They had a son, named Uhtred after his father, but the child died young on January 22 in the year 878 (Saint Vincent's Day), after choking on a pebble. The elder Uhtred believes the death is supernaturally connected to the survival of Alfred's son Edward, who was healed by Iseult at the same time that the younger Uhtred choked.
After young Uhtred's death, through grief Mildrith retreats further into her religious devotion, eventually joining a convent and taking residence in Lord Odda's household. Mildrith would meet Uthred one last time when he returned to Lord Odda's estate to assemble Wessex's army. There, the two finally severed all ties they'd once held.
The Last Kingdom[]
Season 1[]
Winchester, Wessex; Mildrith is arranged to be married to Uhtred. Uhtred ensures that Mildrith is given her price of 33 pieces of silver. Uhtred then takes her hands, and Beocca joins them together. Mildrith then starts to cry. ("Episode 1.4")
Wessex; Mildrith, Uhtred, and Leofric cross paths with Danes on their way to the farmstead. They draw their swords but continue on their path. Uhtred questions why Alfred has gifted him such a beautiful bride. She reveals that her father wanted to find favor with God, so he devoted a tenth of his land to the church. They don’t own it but they’re entitled to its yield, even when crops fail. Meaning Mildrith’s betrothal to Uhtred is because of a huge debt her family owes. Which increases yearly. The amount of 2,000 shillings. ("Episode 1.4")
Lyscombe, Wessex; They arrive at Lyscombe. Uhtred’s new home. They are greeted by Oswald and the other villagers. Mildrith has a gift for each family; a piece of silver for each of them. ("Episode 1.4")
Mildrith enters her home, upset that Uhtred will not gather with the villagers. Uhtred is upset as he is now 2,000 shillings in debt having been married to Mildrith. Leofric then leaves and goes to the barn. Uhtred discovers that Mildrith was only given 18 of her 33 pieces of silver and promises her that she will see the rest of it. ("Episode 1.4")
The next morning, Uhtred finds Mildrith outside washing clothes. He does not blame her for the debt but rather Alfred for his deceit. He assures her that he will get what she is owed in silver. Mildrith surmises that if God brought them together that it must be for a reason. They kiss and Uhtred lifts her off her feet. ("Episode 1.4")
Several months have past. Leofric, Uhtred, Oswald, and a now pregnant Mildrith spots an army of Danes moving through the land. In a day or so, if they keep heading west, they’ll reach Werham. Uhtred orders Oswald to take his family to the hills until the Danes have passed. ("Episode 1.4")
Winchester, Wessex; Mildrith, Uhtred, and Leofric arrive in Winchester to inform the council that the Danes are crossing through Wessex. Before Uhtred leaves, Mildrith makes him promise that he’ll return. He assures her that he will and asks that she run into the woods should the Danes attack Winchester. Afterward, Ælswith finds Mildrith praying. She too is pregnant. Ælswith feels bad for Mildrith, having been forced into marriage with Uhtred. But Mildrith informs her that Uhtred treats her well. Ælswith isn’t convinced and hopes that Uhtred will fall in battle. Mildrith then prays to God that he watch over Uhtred. ("Episode 1.4")
Mildrith gives birth to a boy in Winchester. He will be Uhtred, son of Uhtred. ("Episode 1.4")
Young Odda comes to retrieve Mildrith and her child. The peace is over, and they are under siege. She asks of Uhtred, who Odda claims is a traitor and demands that Mildrith come with him. She complies. As she’s leaving, Oswald assures her that he’ll see to it that the livestock is taken to the hills and that anything of value be buried. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred finds Mildrith in the woods and kisses her. She takes him to their child, Uhtred, son of Uhtred. Uhtred remarks that his son has a kingdom to inherit. Before that, Uhtred will go to Alfred and tell him how he saved Wessex. Uhtred is certain that Alfred will relieve them of their debt. Mildrith would like for their son to be baptized in Winchester. Uhtred is reluctant, but Mildrith assures him that God is good. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred and Mildrith arrive in Winchester. Beocca is thrilled to see that he is alive, as the last he heard of Uhtred, he was a hostage at Werham. Uhtred then explains how he escaped and fought at Cynuit. Uhtred realizes that he has not been credited for his actions against Ubba and bursts into the prayer hall to confront Alfred. He also confronts Young Odda for not telling them the truth behind Ubba’s death. Beocca tries to stop Uhtred but he continues to explain how he and he alone took down Ubba. Alfred is upset as Uhtred has broken his peace. He tells Uhtred to go to the courtyard and wait for him to pass judgement. Mildrith follows him out. Alfred then resumes his prayer. Ælswith tells him that this interruption can’t go unpunished. She wants Uhtred sentenced to death. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred and Mildrith are escorted to the courtyard. She questions why he couldn’t simply wait. She fears the consequences of his actions. She tells him that he should look to God and have some humility. Uhtred replies that what he needs is justice. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred and Æthelwold are taken before the village by Wulfhere and forced to grovel. They must crawl on their knees to the palace and kiss the cross and lie flat down on their face. And then God and the king will forgive them. Mildrith watches as the villagers throw spoiled food at Uhtred and Æthelwold while they grovel. Beocca instructs Uhtred to lay flat and kiss the cross. However, Uhtred refuses and leaves. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred prepares to leave Winchester. He tells Mildrith to pack her belongings, but she informs him that it will be dark soon and Young Uhtred still hasn’t had his baptism. Uhtred refuses to allow his son to be baptized. He tells Mildrith that they will stay the night and leave in the morning. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred and Mildrith return home. They are greeted by Oswald. Uhtred asks about the tree that Oswald has with him. He explains that he’s taking it to Wigulf’s Mill, for splitting. They need timber for repair and Wigulf takes his payment in split wood. Uhtred questions why they don’t split wood themselves. He then asks how much does Wigulf pay Oswald for his timber. Oswald doesn’t answer and takes off running. Mildrith tells him to stop but Uhtred goes chasing after him and kills him for stealing. ("Episode 1.5")
Uhtred, Leofric, and Mildrith have dinner. She remains upset with Uhtred for not only killing Oswald but refusing to pay wergild to his family, and now their villagers are calling him "Uhtred the Godless." He then tells Mildrith that he’ll be leaving tomorrow. She informs Uhtred that Oswald’s wife has gone to Bishop Aelwold, and he will go to Alfred. Should Alfred send men, Uhtred tells Mildrith to tell them that he won’t pay a penny. Mildrith threatens to have Young Uhtred baptized should Uhtred leave. Should that happen, he will no longer be Uhtred’s son. Mildrith wonders what happened to that kind man she originally met. Uhtred explains that he is still upset that Alfred made him grovel and will never forget the humiliation he faced. ("Episode 1.6")
Uhtred promises Mildrith that he’ll find the wealth to pay off the debt. Unlike with him, he doesn’t want Mildrith’s land taken from her. She begs him to change his ways and allow God into his heart. He can never be the man that God wants him to be. He tells Mildrith that he has loved her and then leaves with Leofric and a group of men. ("Episode 1.6")
Young Odda and Bishop Alewold arrive and ask for Uhtred. Mildrith greets them and tells them that he’s left, claiming that he doesn’t trust the Danes. Odda gives Mildrith a letter for Uhtred. He must settle the wergild for Oswald’s death or face confiscation of his property. As for Mildrith, if she is ever in need, she’s always welcome at Odda's house. Regarding his father, he is frail but still alive. ("Episode 1.6")
Mildrith reveals that their son been baptized against Uhtred’s wishes. Iseult tells Mildrith that she’s no longer part of Uhtred’s path. Although, Uhtred did settled her debt to the church. That’s the only reason he came back. Before Uhtred left, he’s said that he loved her, and while that’s true, he no longer wishes to be with Mildrith. And so, she kicks him out. ("Episode 1.6")
Mildrith watches from her window as Uhtred snuggles up with Iseult. She calls Edwina over and tells her to inform her family that they’ll be traveling with the child to Lord Odda’s estate. And she would like for Edwina to join her. ("Episode 1.6")
Odda calls out to Mildrith. He’s tired of resting and demands to know where his wife and son are at. He looks to Mildrith and blames himself and God for what has happened to her. She deserves so much more than the clothes of a nun. Mildrith retorts that she has purpose and her child is with God. Odda tells her to never fear the Danes as his son will ensure she is protected. ("Episode 1.8")
Young Odda reveals to his father and Mildrith that Uhtred and Leofric have arrived at the estate. Uhtred approaches Mildrith and tells her that he knows their son is dead. However, she doesn’t believe there is much to say. She has found peace and hopes that Uhtred will do the same. He asks how the child died. Mildrith replies that children are frail. And she’s sure that Uhtred will have more kids without her. She wishes for Uhtred to leave her alone and never speak to her again. They have nothing that binds them. ("Episode 1.8")
Appearances[]
The Saxon Stories[]
| Books | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Saxon Stories | ✔ | ✔ |
The Last Kingdom[]
| Episodes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||
| Season 2 | ||||||||||
| Season 3 | ||||||||||
| Season 4 | ||||||||||
| Season 5 | ||||||||||
| Seven Kings Must Die |
Trivia[]
- Mildrith is a native of the West Saxon shire (county) of Defnascir (Devon), which is close to the native British land of Cornwalum (modern Cornwall) to the west.
- Mildrith is the daughter of a thegn who was a vassal of Ealdorman Odda of Defnascir (Devon). Mildrith's father had fallen into severe debt with the church in Wessex, which Uhtred inherited by his marriage to Mildrith.
- The name Mildrith derives from the Anglo-Saxon name Mildþrȳð. The name is made of the words milde, which means "gentle", and þryð, which means "strength".
- Mildrith is a noble; she was born to the lord of Liscumb (Oxton in the books).