Was aethelstan gay

The fact that it is never explicitly confirmed within the text is likely Cornwell's attempt to remain realistic with his interpretation of history. When he took his father’s throne inhe agreed not to marry or father any children so the line of succession could be passed to his half-brother Edmond without an issue.

Some. It wasn't at all accepted in this particular period of history, so it never would have been broadcasted or written down anywhere if Aethelstan were gay. The fate of Uhtred of Bebbanburg is particularly ambiguous, but overall Seven Kings Must Die does well to bring the series to a fitting end.

Aethelstan always needed to be a key figure in Seven Kings Must Die because of his real-life importance to the story it wanted to tell regarding the formation of England. Aethelstan's internal conflict between his religious beliefs and his sexuality is a central aspect of the movie, and the driving motivator for his conquest.

Seven Kings Must Die has a lot of ground to cover in wrapping up The Last Kingdom 's story, but it does an adequate job of bringing most of the character arcs to a proper conclusion. Cornwell does not seem to see this as any type of definitive evidence of Aethelstan's sexuality, but he rightly decided that Aethelstan being gay was a real possibility.

It also added a much-needed level of depth to Aethelstan's character because of the societal implications of being gay in medieval Britain. Æthelstan or Athelstan (/ ˈæθəlstæn /; Old English: Æðelstān [ˈæðelstɑːn]; Old Norse: Aðalsteinn; lit.

AElig thelstan Wikipedia

While Aethelstan is never explicitly stated to be gay in Cornwell's novels, it is implied that he has taken male lovers and even had his decisions influenced by lust on at least one occasion, especially by Ingilmundr. Once again though, all of this is speculation in the books, which never explicitly confirm Aethelstan's sexuality.

Aethelstan’s Sexuality: Historical Debate Continues Although there is no proof that asserts beyond doubt that Aethelstan of history (Æthelstan) was gay, scholars have speculated on the notion for a long while. Aethelstan's story was necessarily central to the plot of Seven Kings Must Dieand the reveal that he is gay became a critical part of the movie's plot.

Author, Bernard Cornwell, has, however, confirmed that Aethelstan is meant to be gay in the novels. Aethelstan being gay added a critical level of depth to his character, while providing the spark needed to accelerate the Saxon expansion that led to the Battle of Brunanburh.

Source: Sharon Kay Penman. This internal conflict becomes the catalyst for the story by causing Aethelstan to invade neighboring lands, causing the various kings in Britain to rally against him and leading to the famous Battle of Brunanburh.

The Last Kingdom movie Seven Kings Must Die revealed a surprising personal reason for King Aethelstan's desire to unite England. Sign in now.

Was King Aethelstan really

Ingilmundr is not the sole love interest of Aethelstan in the books as he is in Seven Kings Must Diebut he is the most influential, save perhaps for Aeldred who does not appear in the movie. Most of what is said on the matter comes to Uhtred through rumor, however, as he is the narrator of all 13 novels.

It is also suggested that Aethelstan enjoys the presence of good-looking young men in his court. The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die also benefited from this decision because it provided a way of accelerating events by using Aethelstan's internal conflict as a motivator for his conquest.

– 27 October ) was King of the Anglo-Saxons from to and King of the English from to his death in [a] He was the son of King Edward the Elder and his first wife, Ecgwynn. Was it true to history?. It is difficult to say with any actual certainty if the real King Aethelstan was gay; however, it is a legitimate possibility.

If Aethelstan were gay in real life, it would have almost certainly been a tightly kept secret because of the prejudices of medieval society. Modern historians regard him as the first King of England. Saxon Stories author, Bernard Cornwell, stated in an interview with Sharon Kay Penman that his decision to make Aethelstan gay in his novels was based on the facts that Aethelstan never married or had children and that he liked to decorate his hair with golden ringlets.

Aethelstan believes he must conquer lands and spread Christianity in order to atone for being gay because Ingilmundr convinces him it is so. 'noble stone'; [4] c. One of the most important of those arcs becomes that of Aethelstan, the successor to Edward and eventual first king of all England.