The fourth season of The Last Kingdom it is finally on Netflix, once again offering relentless action and Game of Thronesat the level of political parties. After a considerable time jump, the show follows Uhtred saga. Their children are now older and have stories of their own. It is also grown is Aethelflaed’s daughter, Aelfwynn, who is 12 years old and plays an important role in the new season. However, to get away from the books in the series and in the real-life story, the show puts in doubt his father’s identity. That is Aelfwynn of the father, if not the lord of Mercian?
If you simply want to know, read ahead for spoilers!
As a young woman, Aethelflaed is home with the Lord Aethelred. This political union between Wessex and Mercian quickly turns sour for the young wife, as your husband proves himself to be cruel and abusive. His sense of duty keeps Aethelflaed to run away, but there is no love between them.
The jealousy and the grudge, Aethelred drag Aethelflaed to the field of battle, where she is the time taken by the Danes. While in captivity, she meets Erik. The two fall in love and plan to flee together, but their union is not meant to be. Erik is killed by his brother once his affair is revealed, and Aethelflaed have to return to her husband.
The issue with Erik casts doubt on the identity of Aelfwynn of the father, even a decade later. Aethelred himself does not believe that she is his, to the point of ordering her and her mother’s death without a second thought. However, on his death bed, he finally undertakes to protect his house after he is gone — a small gesture of kindness after so much pain caused to his wife.
In Bernard Cornwell’s novels, there is no doubt Aelfwynn is the father of Aethelred, but, although not confirmed by the way, the show seems to point to Erik. What is certain is that Aelfwynn remains an essential piece in the game of politics in The Last Kingdom as the men try to marry her off against her mother’s wishes— while the pursuit of power and influence.
