HomenewsSeriesWhy Do The Last Kingdom Fans Hate Edward As King (But Love...

Why Do The Last Kingdom Fans Hate Edward As King (But Love Alfred)?

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Fans of “The Last Kingdom” hold King Alfred (David Dawson) in high regard, whereas his son King Edward (Timothy Innes) is generally held in contempt by these same fans. In this fast-paced thriller about the political instability generated by the Viking invasion of Britain, there are dramatic fight scenes, political backstabbing, murder, and romance.

As King, Alfred Was Able To Exercise Better Judgment In Various Political Matters

Uhtred Ragnarsson, played by Alexander Dreymon, is the main protagonist of The Last Kingdom. Initially, he was a Dane named Uhtred Ragnarsson before he was kidnapped by Vikings and reared as Uhtred Ragnarsson. Alfred and Edward, the two rulers of Wessex who act as Uhtred’s adversaries, are at the center of a good deal of the political intrigue and war discussions during the program.

The Last Kingdom Why Fans Hate Edward As King

After his brother’s death, which occurs three seasons into the show, Alfred succeeds on the realm’s throne. As king, Edward is much less successful than his father, who passed away in the second season, and many supporters dislike him because of the multitude of mistakes and ill-advised judgments he makes.

Alfred has proven himself to be a powerful ruler, much like Canute did in the Vikings: Valhalla trilogy. Alfred reveals to Uhtred, “Whatever I learn about my opponents gets written down,” indicating that he realizes the importance of documenting prospective hazards to the kingdom by demonstrating that he is aware of the necessity. Alfred, who has “eyes and ears in every domain” and isn’t afraid to become a spy himself to learn more about his adversaries, develops espionage skills to accomplish this goal.

When it comes to intelligence, Alfred Lannister is on par with his cousin Tyrion Lannister, but he is aware of his shortcomings. Because “a wise king relies on sound advice,” it was necessary for King Henry VIII to rely on the knowledge and experience of others to safeguard Wessex and establish the basis for a unified England. 

Many of his military achievements can be attributed to his dependence on advisors such as his wife Aelswith (Siobhan Fiennes), Odd the Elder (Simon Kunz), and Father Beocca (Ian Hart) (Eliza Butterworth). Consequently, he does not trust easily or readily the intentions or actions of other people. While he does what Uhtred tells him to do, he is well aware that the warrior will never be completely trustworthy.

More than Alfred’s abilities, his stormy relationship with Uhtred made him such a beloved character in the story. Even though Alfred’s religious ideas might seem a little strange in today’s culture, they are historically accurate and fit the pattern that previous plays have established. 

Due to Alfred’s unyielding beliefs, the surprising and engaging conflict between Uhtred and Alfred is also essential to the progression of the story. Alfred begins to question if the devil may have sent Uhtred to cloud his judgment by refusing to convert to Christianity.

In the end, Edward places his faith in Uhtred and Aethelflaed, both of whom perished in the fifth season of The Last Kingdom because of their superior strategy. Regrettably, even the show’s funniest moments are not enough to make up for Edward’s incapacity to deal with traitors, poor battlefield strategy, and lack of regard for his family. Edward does not merit the accolades he receives for his accomplishments, even though he has accomplished a lot. 

On the other hand, Alfred relies on Uhtred’s assistance and cunning to defend Wessex and acquire long-lasting alliances, wealth, and troops. As King Alfred prepares to go into battle and pulls his sword, the citizens of Wintanceaster are heard chanting, “Long live the King!” To leave behind a legacy that will outlive him, Alfred the Great devoted a whole series to the task of creating a gift that would stand the test of time. 

In the novel The Last Kingdom, the Wessex kings Alfred and Edward play important roles, although the former receive a warmer reception than the latter.

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