Let’s explore the ending, the historical realities behind it, and what it meant for the future of England.
Historical Context: After King Alfred’s Dream
At the heart of The Last Kingdom and Seven Kings Must Die lies the ambition of King Alfred the Great—to unite the warring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms into a single kingdom of England. Alfred’s death left this vision in the hands of his son, Edward the Elder, and later, his grandson Æthelstan, who becomes a central figure in the film.
When the movie begins, King Edward has died, leaving a power vacuum. Multiple claimants vie for the throne, including Edward’s sons and several kings from northern territories. Æthelstan ultimately emerges as king, but at great cost and under the manipulative influence of the shadowy Bishop Ingilmundr.
Who Were the “Seven Kings” That Must Die?
The title Seven Kings Must Die is drawn from a prophecy that haunts the characters throughout the story. Although not literally fulfilled, the prophecy represents the bloodshed and sacrifice required to unite England. In the film, seven kings (or warlords) fall in the climactic Battle of Brunanburh—including kings from Scotland, Strathclyde, Orkney, and Northumbria, all of whom stood against Æthelstan.
Interestingly, the prophecy also hints at Uhtred himself—neither a king nor fully Saxon nor Dane—whose own death or symbolic passing marks the end of an era. shutdown123