"The Last Kingdom" | Characters Whose Death Hurt Me

As you all know, I watch a lot of television. With that being said, I want to highlight some deaths from one of my favorite shows, 'The Last Kingdom'. You can currently find 'The Last Kingdom' on Netflix. If you have not watched this show already, I strongly encourage you to check it out. It is truly worth the watch.

Trailer

Okay, without further hesitation let's get into today's blog. ⬇️

Thyra Ragnarsdottir

Thyra is a character from Netflix's hit series, "The Last Kingdom." Thyra's had been bullied a lot ever since she married Father Beocca and moved into Saxon land. Mind you, Thyra is a Dane. Apparently, her being a dane was enough for her to be bullied and that eventually led to her demise.

During King Alfred's funeral, one man in particular would not allow Thyra to rest. Her husband, Father Beocca, was occupied with the service. Thyra decided to leave in hopes of seeking solice at home. The man that was bothering her at the service followed her home.

For context, this show is set before the United Kingdom is established. Thyra and Beocca's home is small hut. Thyra hides under the floor boards. The man that stalked her from the King Alfred's funeral service, busts into her home but cannot find her. Just as he his about to leave, Thrya takes a breathe. The man steps back and eventually realizes that Thrya is hiding under the floor board of the house.

What does he decided to do?

The man starts to set Thrya's house on fire. After setting the house on fire, he lays on the floor, above the area Thyra is hiding son that she can't get out. As a last attempt to scare her, Thyra, he says something silly but before he could finish, Thyra stabs him.

The problem now is, the man is stuck on the floor directly on top of her. The man is heavy. So a dead man is porevently her from being able to escape the fire. Thyra, knowing that the end is near, she stabs herself to death before the flames eventually take over.

Thyra's death really hurt men because Thyra did not bother anyone. She was quiet. She stayed to herself. She minded her business. The way that she dies was so uncalled for.

Father Beocca's reaction to Thyra, his wife's, death made her passing even more painful because he wasn't there. Her death and everything leading up to it was just so messed up. Out of all the people, Thyra did not deserve that.

I am yet to recover from her death. Anytime I watch this show, Thyra's death messes me up everytime.

Osferth- "Baby Munk"

Osferth was one of the guys. Osferth was good people. My man had been labled as the kings bastard and made his way into Uthred's crew. Osferth may not have been much at first but he grew into a fine warrior and was making strides.

Fighting in a war and then suddenly a man drives a sword through Osferth's body...I did not expect it. I understood a war was happening but come on...Osferth is one of the main sub characters; moreover, he was apart of Uthred's crew. Osferth made it all the way to season 5, why would the writers not let him make it?

I just need to know why?

The way Osferth stayed in Finan's arms as his body slowly turned lifeless...That was a different level of sadness. I honestly feel like, Osferth deserved to make it to Bebbanburg with Uthred.

Halig

Halig's death was depressing.

To die being tied up to the edge of a ship...I can only imagine how painful of a death that was. Your limbs are bound, your consuming gallons and gallons of ocean water and not to mention, before that your a slave?!?!?!

I feel that Halig's death was also a defining moment in Uthred's life and that's part of what made Uthred the type of Warrior that he become after being held in captivity as a slave.

Erik

Erik is a viking who also happens to be the father of Aelfwynn; Aethelflaed's first and only child. Erik was a reasonable man who treated Aethelflaed with respect. Erik is killed by his brother, Sigefrid, while trying to protect Aethelflaed.

Sigtryggr Ivarsson

When I say I HATED Brida for a hot minute, after Sigtryggr died, I was really over her. Me and Brida could never be cool.

Sigtrygger was a peaceful Dane. He had a different way of thinking and his plan worked. Sigtrggr was living amicablly and harmoniously with King Edward. Here comes Brida's hot headed self, sending in Sigtrggyr's brother to ruin a fortress that Sigtryggr had been running without problems.

Long story short, Brida (and ealdorman Æthelhelm) instigates a war that leads to a misunderstanding between Sigtryggr and King Edward. The misunderstanding being about the death of the king’s wife. Obviously, or course, killing a queen is a grave offence.

Although, Sigtryggr did not kill her majesty himself, it was brought to the king's attention that he may have sent the order leading to her demise; so Sigtryggr had to pay with his life.

The crazy part about his, is that King Edward made Uthred kill Sigtryggr.

You're probably wondering, "why is this crazy?"

It's wild because Sigtryggr is Uthred's SON-IN-LAW.

...

Yeah.

When Stiorra got her revenge and did what Uthred couldn't do...

Father Beocca

Beocca at this point, before his death, is still griefing the loss of his wife Thyra. Uthred at this point officially has his sight set on reclaiming his birth right to Bebbanburg. Father Beocca, who is essentially family and is somewhat of a father figure to Uthred, decideds to follow Uthred to Bebbanburg because he understands how much this place means to Uthred.

Bless Father Beocca; a good man till the very end.

Sadly, Uthred and his men were unaware that Bebbanburg was armed with a lot more men than they had originially been told.

Push came to shove and Beocca ends up taking an arrow to the heart as he tries to defend Uthred, because the arrow would have pierced Uthred otherwise.

Beocca's death was sad for the following reasons:

1. We just got through Thyra's death.
2. He died protecting Uthred in a hostile situation.
3. Uthred and his men, weren't able to give Beocca a proper burial because they would have probably ended up dead; so they had to leave Beocca's body in Bebbanburg.
4. Uthred didn't even win the fight. Uthred had lost Bebbanburg so it felt devastating that Beocca, seemingly, died in vain.

A Few Honorable Mentions

Below is a list of a few other deaths that I feel I should include that were not as hard hitting but significant.

Gisela Hathacanutesdottir or Gisela of Cookham

Although we, the audience, don't actually see her death, to know that she dies while Uthred was a away at battle was sad. For a while, I could not forgive Alfred for what he did to Uthred's children without Uthred's consent.

Gisela's death played a huge role in molding how Uthred would be precieved in Wessex because of how Uthred was told of her death and what he did after.

Also because of her death and Uthred constantly having a battle to fight, and Alred's influence, Uthred initially finds it hard to connect with his son.

Vibeke

I may not mess with her mother, but Vibeke was just a child who was under terrible guidance. Perhaps if her mother wasn't a hot head, Vibeke may have survived.

Æthelred of Mercia

Æthelred was absolutely a horrible person. He deserved to die. However, at his last hour he acted like a decent person who may have been worth redemption. His death was partially sad because of how he died at the hands of a coward. If Eardwulf didn't snap his neck, Æthelred would have most likely been a vegetable at best; Eardwulf did not need to kill that man. It was an unnecessary necessary evil.

Leofic

Leofic was a good mentor. I feel like we, the audience, could have had more time with Leofic. I also do understand why Leofic's death was needed for the plot.

Thanks For Reading!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read today's post. If you have never watched "The Last Kingdom" I hope I was able to persuade you to tune in. This show is a great watch. It's a binge worthy show.

If you do tune in, please start with the series and not the movie. The movie is pretty much what would have been season 6 but the creators decided to make the shows finale into 2 hour+ movie instead of episodes.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope you enjoy watching 'The Last Kingdom'.

Have a great day. Bye!