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Author Archives: Patricia

THE LAST KINGDOM 3, Episode 6

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Patricia

Even before the opening credits, the action of Episode 6 picks up right where it left off in Episode 5. What is at stake here for Uhtred? First, he has to survive the desperate, lopsided battle he’s fighting. Second, he … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 3, Episode 5

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Patricia

Spoilers Ahead. BEWARE! It’s an interesting exercise to try to imagine how long it took for news to go from place to place in the early medieval period. For example, how long did it take for word of the death … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 3, Episode 4

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Patricia

In Episode 4 scriptwriter Stephen Buchard takes all the elements of the plot of THE BURNING LAND and mixes them up to tell essentially the same story but in a way that will hold quite a few surprises for those … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 3, Episode 3

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Patricia

Episode 3 begins at Dunholm, where Uhtred has been reunited with Ragnar and Brida. Along with Uhtred’s companions is an old friend from Season 1, who is a wonderful stand-in for Uhtred’s conscience, pricking him about who he is and … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 3, Episode 2

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Patricia

BEWARE SPOILERS! In this second episode of THE LAST KINGDOM 3, screen writer Stephen Butchard veers significantly from the plot line of the book, choosing to focus on the major conflict that Uhtred faces: is he a Saxon or a … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 3, Episode One

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Patricia

The full ten episodes – yes, 10!! – of the third season of THE LAST KINGDOM are streaming now on Netflix. The season will cover book 5, THE BURNING LAND and book 6, DEATH OF KINGS of Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon … Read More →

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Cnut the Great, d. 12 November

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Patricia

Cnut the Great, England’s Viking king, died on Wednesday, 12 November, 1035. Cnut’s birth date was not recorded, but it was likely some time in the 990’s, so he was probably in his early to mid-forties when he died at … Read More →

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The Battle of Assandun

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Patricia

And all the nobility of the English nation was there undone!                                                           … Read More →

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Tolkien and the Anglo-Saxons

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Patricia

Where has the horse gone? Where is the rider? Where is the giver of gold? Where are the seats of the feast? Where are the joys of the hall? O the bright cup! O the brave warrior! from The Wanderer, … Read More →

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Emma of Normandy & Bayeux

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Patricia

The charming town of Bayeux near the coast of Normandy is perhaps best known for its remarkable Tapestry, a very long length of embroidered linen that portrays events surrounding the Battle of Hastings in 1066. A few years ago I … Read More →

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