Summary
-
The Last Kingdom
, based on historical events, follows Uhtred’s quest to fight off Danes and reclaim his land while navigating complex alliances. - The series features over 20 locations with historical and modern maps, shedding light on England’s bloody history during the 9th century.
- The show’s intense battles and political drama can be streamed on Netflix, offering a gripping portrayal of medieval England’s struggles.
The Last Kingdom is a historical medieval action-drama set in war-shattered England, but without The Last Kingdom map, the series proves difficult to fully grasp. Loosely based on Uhtred of Bebbanburg, The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred’s campaign to fight off the invading Danes and reclaim his homeland from his usurper uncle. Having been adopted by the Danes, Uhtred became a capable leader. Beyond Uhtred’s story, the series shines a light on the factions working throughout the bloody period in England’s history.
With a total of 46 episodes, The Last Kingdomcame to an end with Seven Kings Must Die. Throughout the entirety of its run, The Last Kingdom featured over 20 different locations, with the book series mentioning over 40. The following series of maps were created using historical maps of 9th century England, as well as cross-referencing the locations mentioned in the series with their real-world modern equivalent (displayed in parentheses). The borders are an approximation based on historical references.
The Last Kingdom
is available to stream on Netflix.
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23 Bebbanburg, English Northumbria (Bamburgh)
Season 1, Episode 1
The home and birthright of Uhtred the Bold, Bebbanburg are essential to Uhtred’s motivations throughout the series. With Uhtred captured by the Danes and his father killed in battle, Uhtred’s uncle Ælfric seizes his opportunity to usurp the throne and take Bebbanburg for himself. Once Ælfric discovers his nephew survived, he attempts to kill Uhtred quickly becoming Uhtred’s greatest barrier to reclaiming his birthright.
Despite Uhtred’s desire to return to Bebbanburg, his military prowess and noble blood will entrench him deeply within the conflict boiling between the Danes and the Saxons. The modern BamburgH, located in the county of Northumberland in the North East of the UK, still has an impressive castle that was even used in filming some of The Last Kingdom‘s battles.
22 Eofweric, Danish Northumbria
Season 1, Episode 1
Starting the series off and establishing Uhtred’s core motivations throughout the series, Eofweric is the focus of the Siege of Eofweric in season 1, episode 1. With Uhtred’s father falling to the Dane’s ever-effective shield wall, Uhtred is effectively orphaned and adopted by the invading Danes. Notably captured with him is Brida, who will eventually become Ragnar’s wife and widow.
Uhtred’s ties to the Danes will continually be challenged as he rises through the ranks of King Alfred’s Wessex, and will ultimately muddy his life goal of reclaiming his home of Bebbanburg. Brida, however, will remain among the Danes, straining her relationship with Uhtred. Eoferwic is located in the north of the UK in what is now known as the city of York.
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21 Æsc’s Hill, English Mercia
Season 1, Episode 2
Also known as Ashes Hill, Æsc’s Hill is the focal point for the Battle of Ashdown in season 1, episode 2. After Uhtred learns of the Danes’ plans to mount an assault on Wintanceaster (Winchester), King Alfred decisively marches the army of Wessex north to intercept the invading Danes resulting in the Battle of Ashdown. Proving to be a powerful ally, this is where Alfred begins to see Uhtred’s true potential.
Uhtred’s insight into the Dane’s tactics proves to be invaluable.
Having been raised by the Danes and having a legitimate claim to Bebbanburg, Uhtred’s insight into the Dane’s tactics proves to be invaluable to the ascending Kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons and Alfred’s dream of a united England. While the true location of Æsc’s Hill isn’t known, historians believe it may have been in Berkshire, a county in the southern UK located west of London.
20 Wintanceaster, Wessex (Winchester)
Season 1, Episode 7
The Wessex seat of power and home of King Alfred, Wintanceaster is seen throughout the series as a major political point, even being the setting for several battles. Wintanceaster is sieged for the first time by the Danes in season 1, episode 7, by the combined forces of Guthrum and Ragnar the Younger with King Alfred only narrowly escaping to the Somerset marshlands.
Returning to Wintanceaster, Alfred dies of a mysterious illness in season 3. After being sacked by a surprise attack led by Sigtryggr in season 4, episode 9, Wintanceaster is reclaimed by the joint forces of Mercia and Wessex after peace is brokered by Uhtred between the Danes and Saxons. The settlement of Wintancaester eventually became known as Winchester, a city located in the UK county of Hampshire.
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19 Cumbraland
Season 2, Episode 4
Home of Guthred, the nominal King of Northumbria, Cumbraland serves as a launching pad for Uhtred’s plan to reclaim his home of Bebbanburg. Even marrying Guthred’s sister, Gisela, Uhtred quickly ingrains himself into Guthred’s political aspirations. With a common enemy found in Kjartan the Cruel, Uhtred is even given the necessary military power to eventually assault Kjratan and free Thyra in the Battle of Dunholm.
Unfortunately, Guthred and Uhtred’s tenuous relationship reaches a breaking point leading up to the battle, with Guthred showing his hand in entertaining a possible alliance with Uhtred’s uncle. Despite Guthred’s hope that Uhtred may one day forgive him, he’s never seen again after season 2, episode 4. Cumbraland eventually became the county of Cumbria, located in the north-west of England, which also shares a border with Scotland.
18 Dunholm, English Northumbria (Durham)
Season 2, Episode 4
Dunholm comes under assault in season 2, episode 4, in which Uhtred and Ragnar claim their vengeance on Jarl Kjartan. Kjartan the Cruel had previously escalated his conflict with Uhtred’s foster family. Killing the majority of Earl Ragnar’s house and kidnapping Earl Ragnar’s daughter Thyra on her wedding night, Kjartan’s massacre earns the disdain of the surviving family.
The modern Durham is a city marked by its many cathedrals.
Securing an army through his tenuous friendship with King Guthred, Uhtred can finally exact his revenge on Kjartan and save his foster sister Thyra. The modern Durham is a city marked by its many cathedrals, many of which were established roughly a century after The Last Kingdom.
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17 Coccham, English Mercia (Cookham)
Season 2, Episode 5
The home of Uhtred, from which he had been granted Lordship by King Alfred of Wessex, Coccham makes an appearance in season 2, episode 5. It is here that Uhtred is confronted by Æthelwold regarding a prophecy given to him by the “dead” man, Bjorn. With Æthelwold convinced of the prophecy, he leaves Uhtred with a warning of their fates.
Shortly after, while hosting King Alfred, Uhtred butts heads with the King on how best to deal with the Danes as they continue to fight one another under Lord Æthelstan, worried that under proper rulership the Danes could prove to be a powerful military force. The modern village of Cookham is located on the River Thames in the county of Berkshire.
16 Lundene, Wessex (London)
Season 2, Episode 6
Attacked by the Danes during the Siege of Lundene at the end of season 2, episode 6 the city of Lundene straddles the border of Wessex and East Anglia. Having been orchestrated by the Dane brothers Erik, Sigefrid, and Hæsten, the siege proves successful and ends up luring out Wessex’s army. Using the siege as a trap for Æthelred’s forces, the Danes sneak past the Wessex army to capture Æthelflæd and completely humiliate Æthelred.
In capturing Æthelflæd and forfeiting Lundene, Erik hopes to use the princess to gain a sizable ransom from Wessex and fund a lavish army.
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15 Beamfleot, Guthrum Kingdom (Benfleet)
Season 2, Episode 5
With its strategic position near Lundene, Beamfleot largely works as the staging ground for Hæsten, Erik, and Sigefrid’s machinations in deposing King Æthelstan and their grand plans for capturing Princess Æthelflæd during the events of season 2, episode 5. With the Battle of Beamfleot in season 2, episode 8, Uhtred rescues Æthelflæd from the brothers resulting in Sigefrid ultimately murdering Erik.
Uhtred returns to the Dane stronghold to save Skade from Hæsten in season 3, episode 5, and wins a second battle thanks to the intervening army of King Edward. Despite the victory, Hæsten escapes with Skade. There are two locations in the UK that Beamfleot eventually came to be — North and South Benfleet, both of which are located in the county of Essex.
14 Fearnham, Wessex (Farnham)
Season 3, Episode 1
Featured in Season 3, episode 1, Fearnham is the setting for none other than the Battle of Fearnham in which Uhtred and the Saxon forces successfully drive off the Danes led by Bloodhair. Utilizing multiple shield walls, the combined Wessex and Mercian armies deftly defeat the Danes. Bloodhair in his haste, abandons his lover Skade, much to her dismay.
Returning home after the battle, Uhtred discovers his wife died shortly after giving him another son (Young Uhtred), setting up the seeds of Uhtred and Skade’s tumultuous relationship and fomenting Bloodhair as a persistent antagonist for the season. Fearnham still exists as the English town of Farnham, which is located in the county of Surrey, southwest of London.
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13 Saltwic, Mercia (Droitwich Spa)
Season 3, Episode 3
Similar to Wintanceaster and several other locations, Saltwic serves mostly as the setting for much of the exposition and political machinations of The Last Kingdom. In particular, Saltwic serves as the home of the often contentious siblings Æthelred and Æthelflæd and first appears in season 3, episode 3. With Uhtred regularly returning, Saltwic serves as a sort of home base for much of the Mercian drama throughout seasons 3 and 4.
Luckily, the village of Saltwic is never successfully sacked by the Danes’ forces in their many campaigns into the Mercian heartland. Saltwic’s final appearance on screen would be in season 4, episode 5. Saltwic eventually became the English town of Doritwich Spa, located in the county of Worcestershire.
12 Legaceaster, English Mercia (Leicester)
Season 3, Episode 6
Season 3, episode 6 follows Brida and Uhtred traveling to Legaceaster to seek out Storri. Desperate to save her late husband from an eternity in Niflheim, Brida hopes the seer can help her. After forcing the reluctant Storri to assist them, Uhtred discovers the ritual by which he can restore Ragnar’s spirit to Valhalla and atone for his betrayal.
He must wet a blade with Ragnar’s blood and use it to kill Æthelwold. After learning what they need, Brida quickly strangles Storri, killing him and informing Ragnar that the only way to break a curse is to kill the sorcerer without spilling their blood. Legaceaster is located in what is now known as Leicester, one of the largest cities in the UK, and can be found in the region of England known as the East Midlands.
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11 Crowland, Danish Mercia
Season 3, Episode 7
The heart of Danelaw, Crowland is visited by Uhtred, Finan, and Osferth in season 3, episode 7. Met with a seemingly warm welcome, Uhtred mentions the group’s position will soon be announced to Cnut. Cnut allows Bloodhair and Hæsten to fight to the death, with Bloodhair unknowingly being poisoned by Skade beforehand. Cnut is lured away from the camp following this, believing Uhtred to have been captured.
Meanwhile, Uhtred and company infiltrate the Danes’ camp under the cloak of night and eventually save Skade. With Skade secured, Uhtred’s party can make a hasty escape via boat and leave with a relatively low body count. Teh town of Crowland still exists, and is found in the county of Lincolnshire.
10 Aegelesburg, English Mercia (Aylesbury)
Season 4, Episode 2
The Sack of Aegelesburg is a prominent moment during the Danish invasion of Mercia featured throughout season 4. Appearing in season 4, episode 2 Cnut attacks Aegelesburg believing Lord Æthelred would be present at the time. However, the Lord wasn’t even in Mercia at the time of the invasion, resulting in one of Cnut’s first fumbles during his campaign through Mercia.
Ironically, Æthelred was raiding the Danish territory of East Anglia believing that Cnut’s forces were in Ireland and unable to perform a reprisal. While Æthelred attacked farms and small villages in East Anglia, Cnut’s forces would be unimpeded to cut through Mercia and go straight for King Edward. The real English town of Aylesbury, which Aegelesburg eventually became, can be found in the South East of England in the county of Buckinghamshire.
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9 Grimsby, Danish Mercia
Season 4, Episode 2
Visited by Uhtred, Young Uhtred, Beocca, Finan, Osferth, and Sihtric in season 4, episode 2, Grimsby is notably where they find two lecherous monks on their journey to Bebbanburg. Following the monks out, Uhtred instructs Young Uhtred to ingrain himself among the monks as a fellow man of the Christian faith. Hesitant, Young Uhtred ultimately agrees and joins the monks on their journey along the coastal roads to Bebbanburg.
Eventually reaching Bebbanburg, Young Uhtred successfully signals his father’s forces, facilitating the Siege of Bebbanburg. Unfortunately for Uhtred, the siege is discovered by his cousin Wihtgar, who uses the siege as an opportunity to kill his father Ælfric. The town of Grimsby still exists, and is located in the north east of Lincolnshire.
8 Tamworth, English Mercia
Season 4, Episode 4
Leading up to The Battle of Tettenhall, Tamworth does little more than add another burnt Mercia village to the Danes’ tally as they continue their invasion. With Bjorgulf returning to Cnut with the head of a supposed dead Tamworth resident, the Danes appear viciously prepared for their continued incursion.
With Tettenhall preparing for the coming Danish horde, Tamworth serves as the Danes’ base of operations with Cnut seeking any possible advantage against the coming battle. Tasking Bjorgulf with finding and capturing Æthelflæd, Cnut hopes to use the political prisoner as a means to coerce the Saxons into surrender. Like many locations in The Last Kingdom, the town of Tamworth still exists in the UK, and can be found in the county of Staffordshire.
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7 Tettenhall, English Mercia
Season 4, Episode 4
Featured in season 4, episode 4, Tettenhall is the location best known for the Battle of Tettenhall. With Uhtred and his group fighting against the Danes alongside King Hywel’s army. Uhtred plants a clever trap and lures the Danes into a camouflaged pit that grants the Welsh forces a considerable advantage and effectively cripples Cnut’s forces.
In the chaos of the battle, Jackdaw attempts to capture Æthelflæd but is fatally shot by Edward. As the conflict spills over into the surrounding woods, Cnut confronts Uhtred but is unexpectedly killed by Brida in an act of revenge. Brida is subsequently captured by the victorious Welsh army. The village of Tettenhall still exists in England, though is now a region of the city of Wolverhampton.
6 Wollerton, English Mercia
Season 4, Episode 6
In the heart of Mercia south of Ceaster (Cheshire), Wollerton is one of the many stops Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric, Ælfwynn, Æthelstan, and Young Uhtred find along during their journey to Ceaster at the end of 4, episode 6. With disease ravaging Mercia and Ælfwynn showing signs of the sickness herself, Wollerton serves as a much-needed respite for the group.
A small village even today, Wollerton has nonetheless persisted for over a millennium. Sitting alongside the road A53, Wollerton’s only notable feature today is the 4-acre Wollerton Old Hall Garden built during the 16th century.
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5 Saint Millburga’s Priory, English Mercia (Wenlock Priory)
Season 4, Episode 6
Featured in season 4, episode 6, Saint Millburga’s Priory lies south of Wollerton, and just east of Tettenhall sits Saint Millburga’s Priory, also known as Wenloca. Receiving word that Æthelflæd and Aldhelm are awaiting him at the priory and worried about encountering more sick on their journey to Ceaster, Uhtred elects to take his party through Saint Millburga’s Priory.
With Æthelflæd and Aldhelm becoming spooked by the smell of burning bodies not far away, they elect to abandon their position at the priory and hope to meet Uhtred in Ceaster. Continuously pressed by their pursuers and with Ælfwynn’s condition worsening Uhtred and company end up stopping to rest in Wollerton. The ruins of the monastery are now known as Wenlock Priory, located near the village of Much Wenlock in Shropshire.
4 Thatcham, English Mercia
Season 4, Episode 9
North of Wintanceaster (Winchester), Thatcham appears in season 4, episode 9, as Uhtred and company travel south towards the Wessex capital. Unbeknownst to them, the Danes had successfully sacked Wintanceaster. Hæsten catches the group by surprise except for Eadith, who hides nearby during the ambush. Hæsten’s men tie Uhtred, Osferth, Finan, Sihtric, and Pyrlig up and hang them upside down from a tree as a form of prolonged execution.
Luckily, Eadith can lure away the Danes, killing one of them herself before returning to release Uhtred and the others. Upon discovering the severity of the situation, Uhtred and the others travel south to Wintanceaster. Thatcham still exists in England today, and the town is located in Berkshire, just over 50 miles west of London.
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