Does the portrayal worry Lavelle, a lecturer in Early Medieval History at the University of Winchester, and The Last Kingdom’s historical advisor? The TV series, and the Bernard Cornwell novels on which it’s based, have clearly employed dramatic licence. In fact, sources suggest that Aethelred cooperated with his wife, and may well have done the bidding of King Alfred as a kind of puppet king. But what say the history books? Is there evidence that the real Aethelred was such a swine? Aethelred’s a dangerous egotist driven by self-regard, with no concern for his people.
Toby Regbo’s character in the series is a cowardly, scheming, abusive rapist who tries to have his wife murdered and plots to overthrow his father-in-law, King Alfred of Wessex. In Netflix historical drama The Last Kingdom, “complete shit” doesn’t begin to cover Aethelred. That’s exactly the question we’re asking. “The leading question I think you’re asking,” he laughs, “is was he really such a complete shit?” Den of Geek is speaking to Professor Ryan Lavelle about Early Medieval ruler ealdorman Aethelred of Mercia.
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