The Last Kingdom recap: What happened in seasons 1-3?

Fortunately, we've compressed the first three seasons of The Last Kingdom into one handy refresher, meaning you can be totally caught up before binge watching the new episodes on Netflix.

Here's our recap of The Last Kingdom seasons one, two and three...

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We are introduced to Uhtred as a boy and the heir of Bebbanburg, an area of land held by his father Lord Uhtred (Matthew Macfadyen). When Vikings attack, Lord Uhtred leads his men to face them and his son secretly follows in a naive attempt to help. The boy witnesses his father's brutal death on the battlefield and is kidnapped by the Danes along with a young Saxon girl named Brida.

Though intended as slaves, the Dane leader Earl Ragnar (Peter Gantzler) becomes fond of them both - especially after Uhtred saves his daughter from being assaulted in the woods by Sven, who loses an eye as punishment.

Young Uhtred's power hungry uncle Aelfric (Joseph Millson) pledges allegiance to the Danes and meets with Ragnar to discuss a ransom, but intends to kill the boy at the earliest opportunity to secure his hold on Bebbanburg. Fortunately, Ragnar decides to buy Uhtred for himself and the boy is raised as a Viking, adopting the Norse religion and customs.

Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred in The Last Kingdom

Uhtred as a grown man, having been raised among Viking warriors Netflix

The story picks up many years later, with Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) and Brida (Emily Cox) as adults still living happily with the Danes. All is well, until a warrior named Kjartan (Alexandre Willaume) murders Uhtred's adoptive family as revenge for partially blinding his son, Sven, many years prior.

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Kjartan spreads false word that Uhtred committed the murders, forcing him to flee with Brida to the Saxon kingdom of Wessex, ruled by the devoutly Christian King Alfred (David Dawson). Wessex has its own problems, facing attacks from the Danes and internal scheming from nobleman Aethelwold (Harry McEntire) who believes himself to be the rightful king.

Brida dislikes the Saxons and leaves, joining up with Earl Ragnar's son, Ragnar The Younger (who sees through the lies spread by Kjartan).

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Uhtred and King Alfred plot a crucial battle

Though initially distrustful of Uhtred, Alfred rewards him with land and a wife after he leads Wessex in several military victories. But when he furiously interrupts Alfred's prayers to complain about a nobleman, Uhtred incurs a humiliating punishment that sours their relationship, while his pious wife also begins to despise his "heathen" ways.

Seeking liberation from Alfred, Uhtred goes plundering for treasure to clear his marriage debt with the church, discovering Pagan Queen Iseult who he quickly falls for. Upon his return to Wessex, Alfred orders him to be executed but Danes attack before this is possible, forcing everyone to flee (including the king himself).

Alfred and his wife, Aelswith (Eliza Butterworth), hide in the marshland with their sick newborn son and their most trusted advisers. Uhtred and Iseult join them and perform a Pagan ritual that cures the baby's illness, effectively winning back the king's trust in the process.

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Iseult prepares a Pagan ritual to save the King's infant son

Alfred sends messengers across the land to tell of an impending battle for Wessex, which will only be winnable if every Saxon army joins forces against the Danes. They are victorious but it comes at a heavy price: Iseult is beheaded by a cruel viking warrior, leaving Uhtred heartbroken. After fighting for the Danes, Brida and Young Ragnar are imprisoned in Wessex as Alfred's hostages, while Uhtred heads north a free man.

The Last Kingdom season 2

Abbot Eadred (David Schofield) experiences a holy vision that tells him Guthred, the rightful king of Cumbraland, is currently enslaved by Kjartan and Sven. King Alfred of Wessex agrees to help free him, partly to extend his own influence further north, sending Father Beocca (Ian Hart) to negotiate a ransom.

Uhtred encounters the priest on his journey and agrees to help free Guthred (Thure Lindhardt), as they would have a common enemy in Kjartan. Rather than pay a ransom, a daring rescue is staged and Guthred does indeed become king in the north, with Uhtred as his close adviser and a potential match for his sister, Gisela (Peri Baumeister).

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Uhtred and Guthred arrive in Cumbraland together

However, Eadred feels that Uhtred's popularity is a threat to Guthred's rule, so he convinces the new king to make a pact with Aelfric of Bebbanburg, who will offer men in return for his nephew's head. But Guthred does not wish to kill Uhtred, so instead he sells him into brutal slavery on the open seas