While the brief scene might seem like mere character development to American audiences, the story of "Alfred and the Cakes" is what Historic UK calls "one of the best known stories in English history." During Alfred's time on the run in the marshes (a story that also appears, by all accounts, to be true), the fleeing monarch accidentally burns several "cakes" of bread.
As Cornwell put it, "the moment I met my real family, I thought: 'Somehow this family survived the coming of the Danes, the Vikings, all the way through to King Canute, there was a family connection." So while Uhtred of "The Last Kingdom" isn't Uhtred of history, he was nonetheless inspired by someone equally as real.Īlfred's physicality isn't the only historical detail to make its way into the show. The author explained that his family tree dated back to the 6th century, and that they were "the Lords of Bebbanburg (Bamburgh Castle) in Northumberland, there was an Uhtred." Although the author admits that history "(knows) sod all about him," he nonetheless credits finding the name amongst his ancestry with inspiring his beloved, conflicted Saxon badass. His little story came to him after the adopted Cornwell met his birth father, William Outhred (sound familiar?). There's a bit of "Hamlet," a bit of " Vikings," and a whole lot of real-life history in the series, whose focus on the religious conflict of the era adds intriguing layers to the show's thematic resonance.Īs Cornwell explained to The Guardian in 2015, "most historical novels have a big story, and a little story -– you flip them and put the little story in the foreground." His big story was, of course, Alfred's successful efforts to hold back the Danes and lay the groundwork for what would become England. The charismatic pagan Uhtred - a Saxon who was raised by Danes (aka Vikings) - reluctantly swears allegiance to the Christian Alfred in an effort to take back his fortress and lands in Bebbanburg, which was stolen from him by his conniving uncle upon his father's death.
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Starring familiar period piece actor David Dawson (of " Peaky Blinders," "The Hollow Crown," and "Ripper Street") as the legendary and historical King Alfred the Great, the series is set in the ninth century and centers on the revered English monarch's (fictional) right-hand warrior, Uhtred of Bebbenberg (Alexander Dreymon). Less than a year after its debut on the BBC, "The Last Kingdom" - an adaptation of author Bernard Cornwell's "The Saxon Stories" - appeared on Netflix and developed a massive, loyal following in relatively short order.
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