The show is an adaption of Bernard Cornwell’s best-selling series of historical novels known as "The Saxon Stories." In the year 868, Alfred and his brother King Aethelred were campaigning, trying to rid England of the Vikings. Ealhswith or Ealswitha (died 5 December 902) was the wife of King Alfred the Great.Her father was a Mercian nobleman, Æthelred Mucel, Ealdorman of the Gaini, which is thought to be an old Mercian tribal group.Her mother was Eadburh, a member of the Mercian royal family, and according to the historian Richard Abels she was a descendant of King Cenwulf of Mercia. A subreddit for "The Last Kingdom," the BBC/Netflix television show set in medieval England. King Burhred of Mercia was invaded by the “Great Army” of Scandinavians and they had camped out near Nottingham. A daughter named Aethelthryth or Elfrida was born c. 877. Alfred and Aethelred took their troops to Nottingham and began a siege. The Last Kingdom soundtrack is available now on CD, vinyl and streaming. She was never called queen and she never witnessed any charters during Alfred’s administration. [4] Whilst training at RADA, Butterworth performed lead roles in "The Daughter in Law" and "The Witch of Edmonton". Is this just mythology or was there some truth in it? If the character Aelflaed is … The Last Kingdom is on Netflix now and the series is based on the books called The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. Awesome blog. [6] Butterworth has also appeared in single episodes in 2015 as Holly in DCI Banks and Lucy Hamilton in WPC 56 (TV series), both in 2015. It was said that King Alfred married Ealhswith in a church on the site which is now all Saints Church on Church Street. She would marry Aethelred of Mercia and became a formidable warrior who fought the Vikings and won. Eliza Butterworth is an English actress best known for playing Aelswith the wife of King Alfred the Great and mother of King Edward in The Last Kingdom, as Holly in DCI Banks, and as Lucy Hamilton in WPC 56 (TV series) both in 2015. Alfred, who is played by David Dawson, is one of the central characters in the BBC historical epic The Last Kingdom, which follows the fictional hero Uhtred. King Alfred had little control over Cornwall. Gisela’s death in book five, The Burning Land, happened in the first episode of The Last Kingdom season three. She may have dedicated the land of an urban estate that she owned there for the institution. It was the beginning of an affliction that would last for the rest of his life. In 868, Alfred married Ealhswith, daughter of the Mercian nobleman Æthelred Mucel, ealdorman of the Gaini, and his wife Eadburh, who was of royal Mercian descent. Butterworth is best known for playing a lead role as Aelswith the wife of King Alfred the Great, played by David Dawson, in three series of the BBC/Netflix production The Last Kingdom from 2014 to 2020, and mother of King Edward in series 4. Alfred led guerilla attacks on the Vikings and made plans for a huge offensive against Guthrum. But she was the mother of illustrious children and she is remembered as “the true and beloved lady of the English”. Intellectually nourishing, and historically fascinating. But the festivities were interrupted when Alfred fell ill. We don’t really know what the illness was but he seemed to suffer from some intestinal disorder. Ealhswith survived Alfred by three years and died on December 5, 902. She was known as the Lady of the Mercians. The show is an adaption of Bernard Cornwell’s best-selling series of historical novels known as "The Saxon Stories." The series follows King Alfred (played by … Alfred was initially buried in the Old Minster at Winchester. This is where Alfred met and wooed Ealhswith. Watch out! Reblogged this on Lenora's Culture Center and Foray into History and commented: We know very little about Ealhswith’s life. She is a medieval marvel, but – as the daughter of Alfred the Great, and ultimately succeeded by her nephew Æthelstan – Æthelflæd has been overshadowed by the men in her life. King Alfred appeared in the first three seasons of The Last Kingdom and was passionate about uniting the kingdoms of England. They even built a small housing estate on a Civil War Battlefield!!!!! He and his army had left the fort to go raiding leaving his wife and children behind with just a handful of guards. She was responsible for the four stages of the foundation: construction of the monastic buildings, assembling the group of nuns to inhabit the Nunnaminster, the appointment of the first abbess who was named Aethelthryth and for the provision of the community’s endowment. 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The towns council are not big on history, so any new comers haven’t a clue about it’s ancient history what-so-ever which is very sad!!! That is a real shame about the town not honoring it’s history. The attack on the fort was led by Alfred’s son, Edward, as Alfred was still in Wessex dealing with yet another Danish invasion near Exeter in Devonshire. Alfred’s wife, Aelswith, is the most annoying character ever [No Spoilers] Close. He also gave her his estate at Eddington, the site of his great victory over Guthrum. I thought this was really interesting, Susan. […]. Ealhswith and Alfred had five children who survived and she may have had other children who died in infancy. I love this time period and will do more posts about this era. H/T The Freelance History Writer, Thank you Susan for including Gainsborough’s Queen, and for mentioning her birthplace. [7] The same year, Butterworth finished filming series 4 of The Last Kingdom in October 2019, which is anticipated to be aired by Netflix on April 26, 2020. Series The Last Kingdom is preparing for its fifth season, but, remembering the last season of the show, fans expressed their views on one of the characters who died. The Last Kingdom: 10 Worst Things Uhtred Has Done. [5] Butterworth sings Alto, Mezzo-Soprano, dances Ballroom, Flamenco and plays Percussion. We know very little about Ealhswith’s life. She’s devout, dangerously so, and not afraid of a … The Last Kingdom is set in ninth-century England when Alfred the Great ruled Wessex and eventually became King of the Anglo-Saxons. On the show, King Alfred is, of course, based on Alfred the great, therefore the show's era is accurate to his … Alfred did mention Wantage in his will and he gave it to his wife Ealhswith, suggesting it was a place of great importance to […], Reblogged this on History's Untold Treasures and commented: Alfred fled with Ealhswith and his family to the rough and desolate island of Athelney in Somerset where they lived for about four months. Butterworth came from Lincolnshire, in England, but is half American with American citizenship. He merely owned a few estates in the north-east. So his son was educated in his father school at court, that is very interesting!!!!!! Burhred sent a message to Alfred and Aethelred, appealing for help in the fight. Alfred of Wessex was a main character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2016 | a division of NBCUniversal International Studios | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy Pious, haughty, and often quite snippy, she is an unpopular figure in Alfred's court. It is very interesting. “A queen by title, but in deeds a king.”. All the children were educated as Alfred was an ardent advocate of education. Further reading: “Alfred the Great: The Man Who Made England” by Justin Pollard, “The Royal Saints of Anglo-Saxon England: A Study of West Saxon and East Anglian Cults” by Susan J. Ridyard, “The Kings and Queens of Anglo-Saxon England” by Timothy Venning, “Alfred the Great” by David Sturdy, “The Royal Line of Succession” by Hugo Vickers, “Alfred the Great: Asser’s Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources” Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Simon Keynes and Michael Lapidge, […] মার্সিয়ান (Mercian) রাজকেন্দ্রের বংশধর এলসওইথ (Ealhswith) এর সাথে বিবাহ বন্ধনে আবদ্ধ হন। […], […] endowment of nunneries and monasteries was carried out by both the kings and queens. The Last Kingdom (TV Series 2015– ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Thanks for reading. Their last child was a son named Aethelweard, born c. 880. Aethelflaed, The Lady of the Mercians, ruled the prominent English midland kingdom for seven years following the death of Aethelred. Ealhswith and Alfred had five children who survived and she may have had other children who died in infancy. Edward finished his father’s project of building the New Minster at Winchester and had his parents relics transferred there when it was completed. Ealhswith, wife of King Alfred the Great, established the Nunnaminster (St Mary’s Abbey) at Winchester. There was feasting and gift-giving that lasted long into the night. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I love that you see the details. Asser tells us he was the ealdorman of the Gaini around Gainsborough. In his will, he designated that Ealhswith be given one hundred pounds in cash along with two great estates in Berkshire. Aelswith is fiercely loyal and protective of her husband, King Alfred. While Uhtred spends most of Season 1 fighting Alfred’s battles, abandoning his Viking upbringing, and making it with a woman from every kingdom, Alfred’s wife, Queen Aelswith schemes behind the scenes. Learn how your comment data is processed. We recall that the fourth season of The Last Kingdom, we saw many disputes between the Saxons after Alfred’s death, as her wife Aelswith accepted her loss and the disputes of her children. Although I think it was a very narrow escape for the whole family. For all … Season four of The Last Kingdom is widely expected to cover books seven and eight of Bernard Cornwell’s saga, The Pagan Lord and The Empty Throne.Alfred the Great is dead, as is his ever-conniving nephew Aethelwold; Alfred’s son Edward the Elder sits on the throne of Wessex; his daughter Aethelflaed is wed to the ruler of Mercia; … Thank you, always learning!!!!!! Another daughter named Aethelgifu was born c. 869 and would become the Abbess of Shaftesbury. Well done! Alfred died on October 26, 899. [8][9], "Exclusive: The cast of The Last Kingdom talk all about Season 3 & how Netflix will change the show", "Eliza Butterworth - currently filming for the BBC Two four-part thriller THE NORTH WATER,", "The Last Kingdom series 4 : Premier date, cast, trailer, spoilers, recap", "When is The Last Kingdom season 4 released on Netflix? She married Count Baldwin of Flanders in 893 and was an ancestress of Matilda of Flanders who married William the Conqueror. He even allied with Uhtred. She was the daughter of Aethelred Mucil, an east Mercian nobleman. ... A subreddit for "The Last Kingdom," the BBC/Netflix television show set in medieval England. Their first child was a daughter, Aethelflaed who was born c. 868. He was the King of the Wessex. In my hometown of Gainsborough it is only the older generations who really know of Ealhswith. She was prevented from finishing her project by death but her son Edward the Elder completed the foundation and dedicated his daughter Eadburh as a nun. One was Lambourn and the other was Wantage where Alfred was born. Eliza Butterworth is an English actress best known for playing Aelswith the wife of King Alfred the Great and mother of King Edward in The Last Kingdom, as Holly in DCI Banks, and as Lucy Hamilton in WPC 56 (TV series) both in 2015. This may be an ancient tribe of Mercia. Content from both the books and the TV series are welcome! [4] Butterworth then undertook a three-year acting course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and graduated with BA Hons in Acting in 2014. Sorry for the ramble…. Spoilers ahead. Sounds like mythology to me Martin. Your email address will not be published. Alfred dies in 899, incredible all is great info, and in Christmas was in January, you know little details when I read I see the small details!!!! Aelswith is fiercely loyal and protective of her husband, King Alfred. I had read that after Guthrum’s attack on Chippenham he held Ealhswith captive. Alfred succeeded his brother Aethelred as King of Wessex in 871. The ceremony took place in the royal vill of Sutton Courtenay. Alfred succeeded his brother Aethelred as King of Wessex in 871. ... Alfred was wrong to force Uhtred into taking land in recompense for the huge debt to the church and the crown, but Uhtred was stupid to attack a friendly nation to pay that debt. Stephen Graham. The Battle of Eddington was fought in May of 878 and Alfred was victorious. Ealhswith was a Mercian princess who married Alfred, Anglo-Saxon king of Wessex. I was appalled. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. In The Last Kingdom, Edward and Aelflaed marry for strategic purposes, to secure his claim to the throne and produce legitimate heirs. 3. No worries about the ramble Glen. It was the beginning of an affliction that would last for the rest of his life. In 866, Leeds is a decent sized town, but in The Last Kingdom, it is a tiny farmstead with a handful of houses. Battles and war was the way of life, even in this era!!!!! But she was the mother of illustrious children and she is remembered as “the true and beloved lady of the English”. Ealhswith was a Mercian princess who married Alfred, Anglo-Saxon king of Wessex. What is the plot of The Last Kingdom season four?. Their next child was a son who would be known as Edward the Elder. The cast and characters of The Last Kingdom season four on Netflix, including Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred of Bebbanburg ... inner circle when Alfred died, as his surviving wife … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. […] Ealhswith, Wife of Alfred the Great, Anglo-Saxon King of Wessex […], […] more centrally located in Wessex.