The Osbert Last Kingdom introduction in the season 5 finale seemed to set up a new major player in the teenage boy who arrived with the abbess Hild on the shores of Bebbanburg following Uhtred and King Edward’s conquest of the fortress. Although seemingly a mystery character at first, Osbert is quickly revealed to be Uhtred’s third living child, who was separated from his father as an infant when Uhtred fled to Northumbria in exile from Wessex. He was also sadly to blame for the death of Uhtred’s wife.
In The Saxon Stories novels by Bernard Cornwell – on which The Last Kingdom is based — Osbert appears in books 7-10 yet was excluded from their depiction in the show’s season 4 and the majority of season 5. Osbert’s entrance in The Last Kingdom‘s final minutes made it look like his storyline will feature in Netflix’s spinoff film, Seven Kings Must Die — which concluded the series’ narrative. This final movie saw the brothers Aelfwynn and Aethelstan in a battle for the throne and Osbert ended up playing less of a role than many believed.
Uhtred And Gisela’s Son Osbert Explained
Osbert is the third child of Uhtred and Gisela, who are also parents to Stiorra and Young Uhtred. Gisela sadly died while giving birth to Osbert in The Last Kingdom season 3, episode 1. The infant is briefly shown in the arms of a nursemaid, as Hild informs Uhtred of Gisela’s death while he was away fighting Danes. Uhtred was the father of two other children in The Last Kingdom season 1, though his and Mildrith’s infant son passed away from an unknown cause, while his and Brida’s child was lost to a miscarriage.
After growing up in Hild’s care, the Osbert Last Kingdom introduction had him face a long-awaited reunion with his father upon entering Bebbanburg in The Last Kingdom season 5 finale. As she leads him toward the fortress, Hild tells Osbert, “I think the new lord might be able to tell you something of your origins,” implying that Osbert is not aware that Uhtred is his father. Hild also referred to Osbert in season 5, episode 9 when Uhtred expressed that he needed someone’s help in retaking Bebbanburg.
Assuming Uhtred came to retrieve Osbert, Hild stressed that the boy was too young before Uhtred clarified that he in fact sought Haesten for the mission. By introducing Osbert in the series finale, The Last Kingdom not only solves the mystery of Uhtred’s estranged third child but also paved the way for a potential arc in Seven Kings Must Die. However, Osbert son of Uhtred, did not get that luxury.
What Happened To Osbert In Seven Kings Must Die
Since The Last Kingdom season 5 finale ending marked the first Osbert Last Kingdom on-screen appearance since his infancy, it set up his eventual involvement in the story in Seven Kings Must Die, which is based on the final three novels of The Saxon Stories. By neglecting to depict Uhtred and Osbert’s reunion on screen, The Last Kingdom left viewers guessing as to how the father and son’s relationship would unfold. In sole possession of his birthright of Bebbanburg and as Lord of Northumbria, Uhtred was certain to face competition for his newfound power.
However, Osbert had little to do with the movie. Instead, Seven Kings Must Die focused on Edward’s sons, Aethelstan and Aelfweard, and their desire for the throne. That ended in tragedy when Aelfweard chose to yield, but his brother killed him anyway. At that time, Aethelstan did everything he could to keep that power and control his destiny. He killed some of his oldest friends, captured Osbert and Edmund, and banished Uhtred to the Shetlands. The good news for Osbert, who had just reentered his dad’s life was that he wasn’t killed and was found safe, remaining hidden to ensure their survival.
Producer Nigel Marchant explained the reason there was no Osbert Last Kingdom appearances, despite being in the books, until the finale. “We really felt that we were introducing Uhtred’s two children, we also had Aelfwynn and Aethelstan who were caught up in all the action, and just that it would be one character too many,” (via Den of Geek). Even with him back for the movie, he still didn’t get anywhere near the screen time as fans of the books might have hoped for. When Uhtred died, he swore Northumbria to Aethelstan as long as he made Edmund his sole heir, and that ended Osbert son of Uhtred’s story as well.
Who Was The Real Osbert From The Last Kingdom?
The Osbert Last Kingdom name carries a heavy significance in The Last Kingdom‘s overarching narrative. Uhtred was named Osbert prior to his older brother Uhtred’s death, which compelled his father to later bestow his name on his younger son. Uhtred already has a son named after himself, though naming the younger boy Osbert is just as meaningful. In The Saxon Stories novels, Osbert son of Uhtred later becomes known as Uhtred thanks to his father’s disapproval of his older son’s Christian faith. Although Osbert’s teenage self appears later in the show than in the books, his introduction provided an intriguing development, although The Last Kingdom‘s feature film chose not to focus on it.
There are other characters by the name in The Last Kingdom, including a king who was allied with Uhtred during the Siege of Eoferwic. So, who is Osbert in The Last Kingdom before Uhtred’s son arrived? This man combined his forces with that of King Uhtred in season 1 to fight the Danish army, but they are slaughtered. The Ostred that appeared in the season 5 finale and then played a small role in Seven Kings Must Die is a very different person, and he played mostly a loyal role to his father, despite being abandoned as a child.
