Alfred

Lore & Background

Alfred's interaction with Uhtred begins in earnest during the year 877 AD, when Uhtred first meets the king after the Battle of Cynwit. Upon joining Alfred, Uhtred is forced to learn to read and write at the king's specific insistence, a unique requirement because Alfred believes his military commanders must be able to read his written orders. This educational mandate highlights Alfred's strategic vision for a disciplined Saxon army capable of executing complex commands. He further solidifies control over Uhtred by arranging a marriage between him and Mildrith, an orphaned West Saxon girl. Unbeknownst to Uhtred at the time, this union also binds him to her father's enormous debt to the Church, a political move designed to anchor the warrior to Wessex. Alfred leads the defense against Guthrum and other Danish warlords. After Guthrum's surprise attack on Chippenham, Alfred agrees to an exchange of hostages with the Danes, but Guthrum breaks the peace and murders the other Saxon hostages, forcing Alfred's forces into renewed conflict. It is during this period that Uhtred, having escaped the massacre, eventually returns to find his wife taken by Odda the Younger, an event occurring after a critical battle where Uhtred kills Ubba.

In Their Own Story

In 874 AD, Uhtred arrives in Wessex and enters the service of King Alfred. The king immediately sets about reshaping the Danish-raised warrior, insisting he learn to read and write so he can understand written military orders. Alfred then orchestrates a marriage between Uhtred and Mildrith, an orphaned girl from Wessex, ostensibly to bind him to the kingdom but secretly saddling him with her father's massive debt to the Church. Later, after a battle against the Danes, Uhtred meets Ragnar the Younger, Earl Ragnar's eldest son, sharing stories of their fathers' fates and swearing an oath to one day rescue Thyra and take revenge on Kjartan. The narrative reaches a turning point when Alfred orders hostages exchanged with Guthrum. While staying in the Danish-held city over the winter, Uhtred witnesses Guthrum break the peace and murder the other Saxon hostages. Ragnar the Younger saves Uhtred's life during this betrayal. Following his escape to find his wife, who has been taken by Odda the Younger, Uhtred rides to Exanceaster at age 20. There, he participates in the critical Battle of Cynwit, killing the renowned Danish leader Ubba in single combat. Despite strong advice from a wiser friend to personally inform Alfred of this victory immediately, Uhtred chooses instead to ride to find his wife and newborn son.

Reader's Guide

Alfred the Great is a historical figure serving as King of Wessex within the story's setting. He ascends to power during a time when Northumbria has fallen to Danes and Wessex remains under threat from the Great Heathen Army led by figures like Guthrum, Ivar Ragnarsson, Halfdan Ragnarsson, and Ubba Ragnarsson. Key events involving Alfred in The Last Kingdom include: - 874 AD: Uhtred joins his service; Alfred mandates literacy for commanders. - Marriage Alliance: Alfred arranges Uhtred's marriage to Mildrith to secure loyalty and transfer debt. - Hostage Exchange: A peace deal with Guthrum results in the murder of Saxon hostages when Danes break the truce, saving only Uhtred thanks to Ragnar the Younger. - Battle of Cynwit (877 AD): Uhtred kills Ubba under Alfred's banner but disobeys orders to report the victory immediately. Alfred is portrayed as a calculating leader who values written communication and strategic alliances over personal bonds, often using Uhtred as a tool to bridge the gap between Saxon and Danish cultures while maintaining strict control.

Did You Know?

• Alfred insisted that Uhtred learn to read and write specifically so he could understand the king's written military orders.
• King Alfred arranged for Uhtred to marry Mildrith, an orphaned West Saxon girl, which unknowingly saddled Uhtred with her father's enormous debt to the Church.
• After Guthrum's surprise attack on Chippenham, Alfred agreed to a hostage exchange that ended with Guthrum breaking the truce and murdering the other Saxon hostages.
• At the Battle of Cynwit in 877 AD, Uhtred killed the Danish leader Ubba in single combat while serving under Alfred's banner.
• After killing Ubba, Uhtred deliberately ignored advice to immediately inform King Alfred of his victory, choosing instead to find his wife and newborn son.