The Last Kingdom - Every Episode Ranked

At the end of his days, Alfred takes Uhtred into his confidence about his plans for Edward's uncertain future, but Aelswith charts a different course.

As a huge battle with the Danes is close, Edward has to make pivotal decisions that will affect the fates of Uhtred, Wessex - and England.

Married by Beocca to Gisela, Uhtred joins Ragnar and Alfred's nephew, the reluctant Aethelwold, and others including Hild and Beocca to travel north and defeat Sigefrid and Erik - and ultimately Kjarten, meeting up with Brida on the way. An early victory sends the treacherous brothers into exile and later brings Uhtred's party to visit a contrite Guthred, who now approves the storming of Durham, and release of Ragnar's sister, Thyra. The town is successfully captured and Ragnar faces Kjartan in single combat, a victory for justice, though Thyra does not react as hoped.

Uhtred is a galley slave on a Viking ship but Aelfric is angry that Guthred did not kill him and breaks the alliance, joining with Erik and Sigefrid to take Durham with savage violence. To appease Aelfric Guthred offers his sister Gisela in marriage but Gisela, in love with Uhtred, refuses and goes into hiding. In Wessex Alfred arranges the marriage of his daughter Aethelflaed to the young king of Mercia Aethelred and sends Hild and Ragnar to rescue Uhtred, which they accomplish when the ship comes ashore to winter. Uhtred is reunited with Gisela but Alfred holds the rescue and the killing of the odious Eadred over him to force him back into the king's service.

Uhtred returns to Alfred, keeping Aethelflaed's secret and allowing the king to believe he can ransom his daughter, setting him at odds with Odda and Aethelwold, who propose a military intervention. To his brother's annoyance Erik falls in love for his captive, and the two plan to escape with Uhtred's help, with Uhtred forced to choose between rescuing Aethelflaed and proving loyal to Alfred.

A deadly betrayal threatens to splinter Ragnar's army. Uhtred forms a cunning battle plan and finds an unexpected ally in young Edward.

The future of England is at stake and the King refuses to hide. He is a man on a mission. Leaving the cover of the marshes, a united King Alfred and Uhtred must get word to Saxon forces; they make a rallying call to all Saxon armies to converge at Egbert's Stone to fight a decisive battle against the Danes. Treachery, deception and heartache follow, though hope remains. Wessex can still be saved, but at what cost to Uhtred?

Uhtred puts himself forward for a daring stealth mission to outflank the Danes and destroy their ships, but in the process he attracts Ubba's attention and is challenged to a one-on-one fight to the death.

King Alfred's health is failing. As time runs out for him to unite the kingdoms of England, his greatest warrior Uhtred must lead Wessex in battle against the fearsome Bloodhair. When Uhtred is cursed by vicious seer Skade, tragedy follows.

Uhtred turns his attention to Aethelflaed's plight. Alfred forces Edward to face his duty. Ragnar's army marches but traitors emerge from within.

A message from Uhtred and the machinations of Skade exploit divisions among the Danes. His health failing, Alfred wrestles with Aethelwold's fate.

Uhtred and Leofric must face off against each other in a death match-a consequence of their actions in Cornwall. But there are ominous signs of a greater battle to come - The Danes launch an invasion on Wessex, pouring through the streets and killing all in their path. Running for their lives in an escape to find safety, a bond is finally struck between Uhtred and King Alfred; the two men recognize they must now stand and fight together if Wessex is to be reclaimed. Uhtred realizes that his best chance of regaining Bebbanburg rests on Alfred's return to the throne.

Tricked into abandoning their camp for an abortive attack on London the Saxons and Uhtred return to find it a scene of massacre with Thyra, now married to Beocca, among the few survivors and Aethelflaed captured by the Danes and taken to East Anglia as a hostage. Alfred is furious with Aethelred, to Aethelwold's delight, and sends him to negotiate her release . At the suggestion of Odda and Aethelwold, Uhtred accompanies him. However Aethelflaed finds captor Erik far more tender towards her than her brutal husband, who is richly humiliated by the Danes and she lets Uhtred know she has no desire to return to Wessex.

Uhtred suffers a great loss on his attack on Bebbanburg. As he retreats south, he takes some valuable captives. Aethelflaed prepares for war.

Aethelflaed and Uhtred ally with the Welsh king Hywel to face Cnut's army of a thousand warriors at the Battle of Tettenhall, hoping that they will be joined by Edward's troops.

As he awaits Aethelflaed's reinforcements, Edward besieges Winchester. Uhtred isn't convinced that conquest is really Sigtryggr's ultimate aim. Stiorra seeks to follow her own path. The wind shifts in Winchester.

When Uhtred commits a serious crime Alfred turns events to his advantage but is outraged when Uhtred retaliates with an act of violence. Uhtred must embark on a voyage and Skade's power takes hold - has he passed a place of no return?

Uhtred risks returning to Wessex to fulfil his vow to Brida. As the royal wedding approaches, Aethelwold spreads discord from the shadows.

Edward makes a kingly decision. Alfred lays plans for his son's future reign. Aethelwold faces a treacherous task. Uhtred and Brida search out a seer.

Bloodhair and Athelwold try to coax Uhtred into their alliance against Alfred. Fearing for her life, Aethelflaed turns to Father Beocca for aid.

Alfred's daughter Aethelflaed is married to the arrogant, scheming Mercian lord Aethelraed, for whom both Uhtred and Aethelwold have nothing but disdain. Aethelraed is also a bullying husband, casting doubt on his wife's fidelity, but he manages to secure influence with the king by persuading him that Uhtred is not to be trusted. After failing to buy off Erik and Sigefrid following their capture of London Aethelraed and Uhtred join forces to lead a liberating army but find the city strangely empty. This is because, unknown to them, the Danish brothers have a more lethal plan of their own.

As Uhtred and his men draw closer to Bebbanburg, the prodigal son Wihtgar returns with some tricks up his sleeves. News of a treachery troubles Uhtred.

Uhtred and Leofric lead a raiding party to Cornwall, on a mission for wealth and independence. The party becomes mercenaries for a Cornish King and Uhtred attracts the attention of a beautiful sorceress queen named Iseult. Iseult's charms and the promise of silver make Uhtred feel like he finally has the chance of a new start. However, when he returns to Wessex he is faced with the wrath of King Alfred and a judgment that leaves both his life and the life of his best friend Leofric hanging in the balance.

Uhtred and Brida are on the run. Uhtred attempts to clear his name for a wedding massacre. Brida finds an inventive use for a twig.

Brida and Sigtrggr lead the Danes to Winchester, guided by the traitor Eardwulf. Haesten ambushes Uhtred's party and seizes valuable captives.