The Last Kingdom (2015–…): Season 4, Episode 1 - Episode #4.1 - full transcript

I am Uhtred, son of Uhtred...

born a Saxon and rightful heir
to the great fortress Bebbanburg.

For many years, I fought
for King Alfred of Wessex...

and for his vision of the kingdoms
as a single union... England.

But my loyalty was
never rewarded.

You are not the best of fathers.

My children were taken from me
and my son handed to the Church.

Finally, we made peace...

although the
reconciliation was brief.

The King is dead and so
together we pray for his soul...

for his successor Edward.



The new king has much to learn.

Wessex appears to be in
a land of chaos and doubt.

God is with us.

However, Alfred's
widow, Lady Aelswith,

alienates men who
were loyal to him.

You were the King's priest and,
as such, you no longer have a role.

And Lord Aethelhelm
has ambitions of his own.

Why was I not told that Edward
had been married previously?

Aethelflaed's marriage has
also not brought harmony.

I want her dead.

She holds a place
in my own heart.

Brida's great love
Ragnar is dead.

She has made a new alliance
with the Dane Earl Cnut.

You should be under
furs, woman, with me.



And I want to enjoy all
of you, while there's time.

Whilst the warrior Haesten
schemes to gain influence.

I also have scores
I must settle.

Throughout all my victories,
defeats, loves and losses,

I have stayed true
to my conviction

that I will one day return to
Bebbanburg and overthrow the man

who will stop at nothing
to have me killed...

my uncle Aelfric.

Destiny is all.

Bastard Scots! Kill them!

Slay them all! Don't
spare a single one of them!

Sons of whores!

They're weakening. Forward!

We have them! Advance!

Don't let them escape!

Advance, you cowards! Kill
them all! Do not let them escape!

What in God's name...

Retreat!

Retreat to Bebbanburg!

Open the gates!

Open the gates!

Open the gates!

Go! Go!

Open the gates!

How many did we lose this time?

Over half, Lord.

Then we need more men... Or
it'll be our heads on the ramparts.

Will they go back
across the border?

They'll gather
reinforcements in Scotland,

keep attacking till they
whittle us down to nothing.

If they take Bebbanburg,
they have a gateway south.

They want all of Northumbria.

- Lord, where do we bury the dead?
- Leave them for the scavengers.

On your feet!

The last men standing.

My greatest fighters.

Or the most fearful, the ones
who cowed and hid and ran?

The Scots will return!

They want to take our
land and see us gone.

So unless you want to end
up rotting on a slave ship,

I suggest you find
the stomach to fight.

To fight!

Or leave!

Go on, leave now!

There is no place for doubt...

or weakness.

I will never
surrender to invaders!

My men can be destroyed!
The villages starved!

They can dig a
trench a mile wide!

But while I live, these
walls will not be breached.

This fortress will not fall!

I will never yield my birthright, nor
seek peace with those who attack us.

We fight on, until
they are all butchered.

It's time we're
heading south, Osferth.

We fight on for Bebbanburg!

For Bebbanburg!

What?

Outside.

No one knows I'm here.

The people that
know will not betray us.

Wait.

Who is there?

It is Aldhelm.

Lady Aethelflaed's absence
has been noted by her husband.

She should leave here
before she is discovered.

Stay with me.

- I cannot.
- Yes, you can.

If Aethelred sends
soldiers, we will fight them.

Please, he has tortured
you long enough.

I know, but men should not
die, so I can love you, Uhtred.

Men have died for less.

Not the ones who serve me.

I will not be the
cause of bloodshed.

Aethelred would seek Edward's
help. We would be outnumbered.

So, you'd take chastity while your
husband is chasing another woman?

We both know that's different.

Do not return to him
and be humiliated.

You are more than that.

I know.

And, hopefully, in time,
things will change for us.

I will go to Winchester
to comfort my mother

and come back
here as soon as I can.

Your men will return
from the north soon.

Lady, you know, I do not
speak in envy, but, please.

Your husband would take great
pleasure in punishing you for adultery,

should you give him the excuse.

He takes great pleasure in
punishing me for whatever I do.

So, I must try to live
with a little happiness.

Besides, I have good
men to protect me.

And I know you do
not speak from envy.

- Any word from Finan?
- Nothing, Lord.

Do you want to give up
your gods for your life?

Do you want me
to show you mercy?

No!

No. Mercy is for
Christians. What will you do?

Good boy.

If they capture you,
you do exactly this.

Hey, careful, Cnut!

It means they like you.

They're good boys, Cnut.

- Yes.
- You're blessed.

Come, they'll have taken
down the camp without us.

To the settlements
until the winter.

We must hide you away,
while the men go to war.

Any of you caught humping a
Saxon will be executed on our return.

Go!

Arse-Licker.

You are the man they
call the Arse-Licker?

I am Eardwulf of Mercia, commander
of the King Aethelred's guard.

His latest new commander.

I heard you wormed your way
back from a family disgrace.

And that your father lost his
lands for humping his horse?

I heard there was a Dane who was
willing to betray his kinsfolk for money.

You are steel-eyed for a turd.

Perhaps we are fated to
work together, Lord Arse-Licker.

They've been loading
ships for three days.

Leaving land they
fought so hard for?

It's unlike the
Danes to slink away.

- Where is Cnut taking his men?
- Irland.

A cousin Sigtryggr is being
held captive by the natives.

That will take
at least a winter.

Will they come back?

The women are going
to local settlements,

so, there will be
warm tits to return to.

Why do you tell us this?

Because, unlike you, I'm
not rewarded for my service.

- You should have licked more asses.
- Perhaps.

And...

I no longer want war.

I'm too old to
sleep in the dirt.

I want silver and
Lord Aethelred has it?

Makes his own coin?

How ambitious.

- How is the weasel?
- Still a man of wisdom and honor.

Who promotes an
ambitious soldier... brave.

Who rewards loyalty.

I hear he takes your
sister as his whore.

Then you heard wrong, Dane.

She's not a whore and
he does not take her.

- This is good work.
- Thank you, my Lord.

There's a boat down river, Lord.

Women of Coccham!

We are back!

They know, Finan. They
can smell you from here.

You look like shit.

- What have you done to my ship?
- Now, that was Osferth's fault.

- What news from Bebbanburg?
- Good news, Lord.

My Uncle Aelfric is dead and
you have his balls to prove it?

No, but he is being attacked
by the Scots pushing south.

He lost half his men in
the most recent assault.

- So, Bebbanburg's weakened?
- For now, yes.

Until he finds more men.

Or is slaughtered by the Scots.

So, we could take it.

With an army...
we could take it.

Well, perhaps. It
will not be easy.

- How many men does he have?
- Barely 40.

- Can he raise a fyrd?
- Oh, God, no. Local lords think he's...

That he's a turd,
yes. And they're right.

- We should not delay.
- No.

Go before he buys more men.

We head to Bebbanburg
before the Scots return.

The gods are telling us to
strike and take back what is mine.

Now, Lord, it'll
take ships and men.

The venture could
cost you all your silver.

Finan, if we take Bebbanburg,

we'll have all the silver
we ever dreamed of.

You will all be rewarded for
your service, even you baby monk.

Amen.

- How many men remain here?
- Not enough.

We will ride to Winchester
and raise an army.

It's time for Wessex to
repay all that I have given.

What are they doing
with Father's books?

Lord Aethelhelm wants this room
given over to planning our defenses.

Apparently, it has the
best light to work by.

Be careful!

That is my husband's Chronicle.

Take it to my quarters.

His legacy, all the learning...

is no one to keep a
record of our times?

They keep a record...
of building fortifications.

See, this one tells us how 20 men
can fashion a palisade in under a day.

It is all for our
own protection.

- Mother, I'm so sorry.
- Please, do not pity me.

I have a better life
than many widows.

And my new rooms are
comfortable, if rather near the kitchens.

Every time I return,
there is a new insult.

I am not certain I believe it.

Are the men that bring
the news to be trusted?

- Lord Aethelhelm.
- My King.

What did you hear?

Well, simply that Cnut is leaving
for Irland to help a cousin, Sigtryggr,

who's besieged there.

Then it must be true. Danes are
known for their kindness and loyalty.

We ignore this news
until the scouts confirm it.

Continue to fortify
along the border.

When the Danes break
the peace, we will be ready.

I will inform the whores.

Quicker than the monks
at spreading news.

We are resolved.

Every man who can wield an
ax should be building defenses.

- Mother?
- What news do you talk of?

Perhaps I could offer
the wisdom of experience.

Take comfort that all is well.

Come.

Come and lie with me, Eadith.
God wants me to be satisfied.

He gave me this desire, so...

So, I am sure there is a
servant girl you could hump.

I've had every servant
girl from here to Ceaster.

It is you that I want.

And it is me you shall have...

when the time is right.

Come on. Do not make
me force you, Eadith.

You set a man on fire. Do not
be surprised when you get burned.

Yes!

Lord Eardwulf, we were not
expecting you until nightfall.

Forgive my intrusion,
Lord, and to you, sister,

but I bring important news.

- Have us brought wine.
- My Lord.

What is your news, Commander?

I met a Danish
spy and he revealed

that Cnut is taking his warriors from
East Anglia and heading to Irland,

leaving their women and
children in undefended settlements.

- Who else knows of this?
- No one. I paid him well.

- Did you see them leave?
- Yes.

They're dismantling their
camp and packing their boats.

A cousin is under
attack in Dyflin.

If they're leaving East
Anglia, then it's empty

and ready for us to conquer it.

And if I enlarge our land,

then Mercia no longer has to
bow to Wessex and Edward.

Troops can be readied
when you want them,

but I would suggest
that we leave quietly,

- before the Ealdormen can disapprove.
- This is an excellent plan.

It appears the relics of St. Oswald
are already working in my favor.

I'm collecting all the
bones of our beloved Saint...

as a good omen

to signal to the Mercian people that I
shall restore their lands to greatness.

- I'm sure they'll be impressed.
- It's my gift to the common folk.

Monks are leaving imminently
with silver to bargain for his heart...

and the winds are clearly
blowing in our favor.

Thank you for all that
you've done. It's impressive.

Anything I do, I do for Mercia.

Indeed.

You could teach your
sister a lesson in generosity.

Our game is not finished.

- Are you talking horseshit?
- No. I met a spy and the news is true.

The man is inflated enough
without you encouraging him.

I'm trying to keep him happy.

As should you. Just hump
the desperate bastard.

I hump him and
he loses interest.

If we want all this to continue,
then we must not overplay our hand.

Do you want to return to
being landless and ridiculed?

- You hump him, if you do not believe me.
- I tried. He did not bite.

Will you hurry, Sable!

Ah, the monks.

I'll fetch your silver. You leave
for Northumbria immediately.

St. Oswald's heart? Bloody long
way to go for a piece of dried offal.

Still, a few taverns to
stop at along the way.

Northumbria's a piss-hole
place to waste a journey on.

- Did you meet this Arse-Licker?
- I did.

Word will spread that
you leave for Irland.

And he believed you?

He wants to kiss his master's backside.
He believes what he wants to hear.

Then we shall attack Mercia,
while their backs are turned.

We sail to the
estuary before dawn,

head upstream and keep the
boats apart to avoid any scouts.

When we reach Mercia, we
assault Aegelesburg in two bands

and I will kill
their little Lord.

Too timid to attack the
boy king in Wessex?

The boy king in Wessex
has been building defenses.

And the fool in Mercia
has been following his cock.

We kill Aethelred, Wessex is
honor-bound to come to Mercia's aid.

We lure out Edward
from behind his walls...

and fight on our terms
and take the country.

As so many others
have failed to do.

What did you do to tame her?

I treated her with
respect and gave her love.

After you slaughtered
the man she cared for.

I pity the bitch.

Do not give me a
reason to kill you.

My friend.

All right.

Yes.

I hear Uhtred is downstairs.
Were you expecting him?

Uhtred? No, not until summer.

Are you sure it's him?

From the reaction of the
novices, I'm fairly certain.

Beocca!

Hild!

You have made
quite an impression.

And you have not changed.

He has. Are you still
writing this great work?

St. Cuthbert is capricious.
He eludes me daily.

A master takes his time.

- You look like a man with good news.
- I am.

And we will need to sit
for it and we will need wine.

It is indeed worth waiting for.

Aelfric will finally
see a reckoning.

Yes, never has a
man deserved it more.

He is now weakened
and without allies.

- Has he no heir to assist him?
- He did.

A son... but the heir
Wihtgar was banished.

He died last summer
in the southern sea.

You can starve him out.

Surround the fortress.

What was your plan?

My plan is that you join us...

both of you.

Oh, I think my fighting
days are over, Uhtred.

You, then?

- You don't want an old man.
- Beocca, you're not old.

And you have mourned Thyra long enough.
She would not want this sadness for you.

Throw it off and return
to Bebbanburg with me.

I cannot.

Without me, the nuns would have
no one to minister the sacraments.

And the life of St.
Cuthbert will not write itself.

Take the fortress. I will join
you, when the hard work is done.

Then we will hold a
feast there in your honor.

You deserve to go back, Uhtred.

Yes, to restore your
family to their rightful place.

I want to make a home
for my children to return to.

- Are they well? Your children?
- Stiorra thrives.

She lives at
Aethelflaed's estate.

My son, I do not see. Alfred's
influence has made him holy.

What news of Wessex?

Wessex... thrives.

Defenses are being
strengthened against the Danes.

Edward's son is now walking.

The King's wife is to
be crowned a queen.

It is unusual to honor the girl,
whilst the widow Aelswith lives,

to say the least.

But Aelflaed has
an ambitious father.

Yes, Lord Aethelhelm
is ambitious.

But King Edward just accepts
this ambition from an Ealdorman?

Let's just say we feel
his father's absence.

Finish your prayers. It
is nothing of concern.

Walking like a fat man, friend.

It is my massive balls, Uhtred.

Too much palace food
and sitting on your backside.

- Perhaps. I fight less than I did.
- There will be fighting yet.

Do you know something
we do not, Lord Uhtred?

Lord King. Steapa.

I only know that
Danes do not like peace.

Did you hear Cnut is now heading
to Irland to rescue a cousin?

No. I heard he has brought
his sons over from his homeland,

which means he
has ambition here.

And what brings
you to Winchester?

I'm here to make you an offer.

I can help you fulfill your
father's dream of a united land...

if you give me men
to retake Bebbanburg.

Is Uhtred Ragnarson
trying to negotiate?

It is a good idea.

If the bastard Scots are making
incursions, they will return in number.

He takes the fortress. It becomes
your foothold in Northumbria.

I take Northumbria and I
unite the four kingdoms.

Small matter of
conquering East Anglia,

but that is mainly cattle and
people that look like cattle.

Your father knew it could be
done, one country, one king.

Since when have you cared
for my father's vision, Uhtred?

Since it coincided with what
he wants, by the sound of it.

It works for the both of us.

Unless you want the Scots to
gain a stronghold to attack you from?

Aelfric cannot hold
them off like I can.

I control the fortress.
You control the country.

Give me 100 men,
it will take a week.

Two hundred, I
can take it in a day...

It would certainly
fulfill an ambition.

But given the ongoing threat
from the Danes here in the south,

is it wise to
distract ourselves...

gallop to the frozen north for
what is, in essence, a family feud?

Uhtred has done much to
distract the Danes from Wessex.

Yes and we are all very
grateful for his service.

But surely his oath was to
see the King on the throne.

A duty that is now performed.

What is the point you are
making, Lord Aethelhelm?

I'm merely saying that there
is no debt on either side.

- No debt...
- Lord Uhtred is free

to take what he wants.

You to defend what you have...

which is the innocent people of
Wessex from the marauding heathen.

By cowering behind walls and
waiting for the Danes to attack?

No, by not being forced to
fight before we are certain to win.

There are good reasons
to go softly and strategically.

That is how you got where
you are, Lord Aethelhelm.

Lord, take this moment
your God is offering you.

Your father had a dream...

And my father also knew when
to say no to Uhtred Ragnarson.

I am no longer the boy
who can be bent to your will.

This is not saying never,
but now is not the time.

"Now is not the time."

Years, I've waited.
Years, I've given my sword.

Years, my home has
been denied to me.

"There's no debt."

Winchester is a snake pit.

We will think of another plan.

Do you think our band can
take the 40 men at Bebbanburg?

- Two on one? Ask me when I'm drunk.
- Come on, Finan.

Our men are three times
the fighters Aelfric's are.

I know. It's just unbreachable
walls and boiling tar that worry me.

Not to mention the Scots
waiting to take it for themselves.

Is the plan off, then?

Are we just staying
here to get drunk?

The plan is unchanged.
We head to Bebbanburg.

Take the fortress,
then we get drunk.

Just us...

without an army?

You don't need an army to kill one
man. We kill Aelfric, the gates will open.

- None, Aidan?
- None, Lord. We have tried.

Offer them three times what a
mercenary would normally receive.

I do not think silver
will tempt them.

- Are they afraid of the Scots?
- No, but they think that we are doomed.

There is another way,
but you will not like it.

We have had word that Aethelred
of Mercia is sending monks...

What does that
turd want with us?

The heart of St. Oswald.

I know it is a precious relic

and that it has been at
Bebbanburg for generations,

but it may be our only course.

Aidan, I am a devoted
Christian, who fears his saints.

Bebbanburg was my reward from God
for my constant and unwavering piety.

Yes, indeed.

Send out to whatever hovels
the common people live in.

Round up the farmers' sons.

Will that work, Lord? The
farmers are not well-disposed to us.

It will work if you hold a
knife to the mothers' throats.

- Look around you, Eardwulf.
- Lord?

Soon, all that you see
will belong to Mercia.

Cnut's mistake for
leaving will be our glory.

It's getting in to Bebbanburg,
that's the problem.

I say we just turn
up and ram the gate.

Or we just ask
nicely to be let in.

Next idea.

- We are not dressing up as nuns.
- I wasn't going to say that.

- But you were.
- No, I wasn't.

Lord Uhtred!

Thank you for offering your
men to clear the stables.

What!

Lady Aethelflaed will
meet you in the garden.

Do not turn me into
a brothel-keeper.

- Oh, but you enjoy the savage life.
- Uhtred!

Do your novices not know that?

Ladders.

- Lord Uhtred.
- Lady Aethelflaed.

Forgive me for not
meeting you at the palace.

My woman Sable is
at my husband's estate.

And she has learned something
that will be very useful to you.

It is all being
done very quickly

and I am not one to
spy or spread rumors.

But Lord Aethelred is
collecting the relics of St. Oswald.

Why is this important?

Because, when St. Oswald's
body is reunited in Mercia,

the land will be
returned to greatness.

- It is important to our people.
- Why is it important to me?

- Tell him of the monks, Sable.
- Oh, yes.

All that remains to be gathered
is the heart of St. Oswald,

- which your uncle...
- Of course.

Aelfric keeps it at Bebbanburg.

It's no doubt some dog
liver my ancestors bought.

Nevertheless, a
treasure to the Mercians.

Lord Aethelred has sent a pair of
monks up north to strike a bargain for it.

Do you know when?

They should reach Grimesby by Sunday,
then Bebbanburg on the day of Ascension.

- When is Ascension?
- Ten days before Pentecost.

Two weeks from now.

Intercept these brothers and you
could gain entry into the fortress.

I will need a priest who can
accompany these monks.

I am sorry, but I can
provide nothing more.

I cannot defy my brother.

I hope your brother
values your loyalty.

I hope you win what
you have longed for.

Uhtred...

What if you die doing this?

Then you will be the last woman
to hump Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

Is that your way of
promising to be faithful?

Do not answer that.

If we leave now, we should make
it to the monastery by nightfall.

We will need another
beast, a small one.

Hump the horseman's
wife if you have to.

I'd rather hump the horse.

- Why the extra horse, Lord?
- It's for a priest.

- Which priest?
- One I hope will be glad to see me.

Well, well.

Finally back to Bebbanburg.

Beocca...

if you want to come,
I will carry you there.

Ride with me. We will
rest when you need to.

- I will fight with you on my shoulders.
- You do not need me for this, Uhtred.

You're ready to face this alone.

Fulfill your
father's birthright.

Restore Northumbria
to greatness.

The pride should be on your
shoulders and yours alone.

You deserve this.

I will repay all the debt I
owe you three times over.

You will live like a
lord in Bebbanburg.

You owe me nothing, Uhtred.

Anything I ever did for
you, I did from my own heart.

May the Lord bless you and
keep you in this adventure.

Thank you, Father.

Goodbye, pure and holy abbess.

Goodbye, you
bloodthirsty heathen.

Take this.

Turn it into hack-silver and
pay for bribes along the way.

Keep each other out of trouble.

Kill them all!

No! No!

Look how he worms his
way in, with the King's guard.

Why do that if you
do not seek influence?

I do not trust him.

In the past, he has suggested to
me things that are most unchristian,

in regards to the other
heirs to the throne.

Do you mean the
firstborn you had banished

so your son could
make a better marriage?

I mean the children who were
conceived without holy union.

The first marriage
was legitimate.

There are priests who
will swear on the Book to it.

Lady...

you chose Lord Aethelhelm's
daughter as a match,

because he had silver
that Wessex needed.

You chose her over a
woman your son loved

and who had borne him children.

You cannot invite a
serpent into the garden

and be surprised when
it slithers on the ground.

Did I not have you removed
from the court, Father Beocca?

Yes, another one of
your rash judgments.

It is unwise to remain
somewhere you are not wanted.

And yet you choose
to stay here, too.

Perhaps we are not so different.

This bitterness is not her.

Her role is diminished
and she is veiled in grief.

Yes.

It can make a person
less than they should be.

I should know.

Seize the land to the north
until you reach the sea.

And then we will see which
Saxon kingdom is the greatest.

And who should kneel to whom.

Which one?

It's not him.

It's him. Go!

- Hey! Get off! Who are you!
- He's a sinner, Father!

Where are we going?

- Hello, Father.
- Men, this is my son. Young Uhtred.

I don't use that name. It
belongs to a priest killer.

I'm here to guide you
back to your family.

The Church is my family.

It's not. You were placed
there without my permission.

Praise be to King
Alfred for that.

We are leaving this place
and you are coming with me.

- Am I?
- Yes, you have no choice.

Take off the woman's
garb. Wear this.

And, uh... I have
a gift for you.

Sihtric!

Impressive beast.

Hey. I did not realize
how much you'd grown.

Ride to Coccham with us. In
time, we will find you a proper horse.

Why would I go to Coccham?

To collect the ship
that will take us north...

to reclaim your
birthright and mine.

To seize back what was
lost and unite our family.

- I'm taking you to Bebbanburg.
- Never heard of it.

- He doesn't seem to like you much.
- That's Alfred's legacy.

The man torments me still.

Let me guess. I'm
to be banished again.

Would I let that happen, Beocca?

I would say keep
yourself indoors a while.

I am to be silenced.

I'm sorry. Lady Aelswith
wields power where she can.

I will drop in and bring you
news until she has calmed herself.

You are a good
man, Father Pyrlig.

A good friend to
me and to Wessex.

Before you go...

to advise a king
is a great honor.

But it can also be a curse.

Sometimes found myself at
war with my own conscience.

I want you to know
you have my blessing.

To do what?

Whatever must be done
to protect King Edward.

Ah. The King grows
wiser by the day, true.

He has all the makings
of a great leader, I'm sure.

But time may be against you.

Those around him have ambition.

And it is not the ambition of the King,
or of his father, who we both loved.

So, you do what you must.

It's sturdy enough.

Do we not need
something more... agile?

We're not taking
pelts to sell to Frankia.

Do you want Aelfric to
know that we're coming?

I suppose not.

Pelts it is.

Uhtred!

Beocca?

Are you kidding?

Do you have room for half a man more?
I flee the wrath of the Lady Aelswith.

As do we all. I'm sure we
can make space for you.

I'm afraid I'll be not much
use to you as a fighter.

Happily for you, I am desperate.

We'll require
more ale, for sure.

Did Hild send you to
keep an eye on me?

No.

It was entirely my decision.

You were right. I've allowed
myself to get old too quickly.

I shall leech off
their youthfulness...

revive myself.

What is the real reason?

Word reached me...

of the abduction
of a young deacon.

So, I felt I should, uh...

You came to help
me be a better father.

Well, there is that.

And?

Come, get on the boat with us.

What use do you have for me?

Why do you drag me to
something for which I'm not made?

Because I see the man that you
will be, not the boy that you are.

I know what it is to be ripped
from one life to live another.

And I know that it
will make you stronger.

Perhaps my faith
is being tested.

- Perhaps that's what it is.
- You see this?

This was my father's.

One day it will be yours.

- It is fate.
- It doesn't feel like fate.

It feels like penance.

Get your saintly arse
on the bench, Osferth.

- Let's go.
- He gets sick traveling backward.

I do not. I just like to
see where we're going.

To Bebbanburg!

Raise the sail!