If you’ve spent any time watching Alexander Dreymon smolder across a muddy battlefield, you’ve probably asked the big question. Fate is inexorable, sure, but who actually sticks around for the long haul? Who does Uhtred end up with? It's a messy answer. Honestly, it depends entirely on whether you’re talking about the Netflix show or the original books by Bernard Cornwell.
The TV version of The Last Kingdom and the follow-up movie Seven Kings Must Die give us one vibe, while the 13-book saga takes Uhtred of Bebbanburg in a completely different direction. He doesn’t just have one "endgame." He has a series of them.
The Show Ending: Does He Actually Choose Anyone?
In the Netflix series, Uhtred’s romantic life is basically a graveyard of broken hearts and tragic deaths. By the time the credits roll on the final season, he’s back in Bebbanburg, but he's technically single.
Eadith is the one most fans were rooting for. Season 5 dropped some heavy hints. There was that playful moment with the boot—you know the one—and he eventually offers her a place at Bebbanburg. It felt like the show was finally moving him toward a stable partnership.
But then the movie, Seven Kings Must Die, happens.
If you were looking for a wedding, you didn't get one. The movie focuses way more on the formation of England and Uhtred's relationship with Aethelstan. By the end, Uhtred is mortally wounded (or at least severely incapacitated) and standing on the threshold of Valhalla. He sees his old friends—Brida, Ragnar, Clappa—waiting for him.
He ends up with his legacy.
In the show's canon, Uhtred doesn't have a final wife or a "happily ever after" in a cottage. He ends his story as a lone wolf who finally secured his home, standing between the world of the living and the hall of heroes.
The Book Reality: Benedetta and the Piglet
If you want the real, gritty details of Uhtred's final years, you have to look at the books. Bernard Cornwell wasn't as sentimental as the TV writers.
In the final novel, War Lord, Uhtred is an old man. He's in his 80s, which is basically ancient for the 10th century. By this point, most of the women he loved are long gone.
- Gisela died in childbirth decades ago.
- Aethelflaed died of her illness.
- Eadith, who he actually married in the books, died of the plague.
So, who is left?
Uhtred ends up in a long-term relationship with a woman named Benedetta. She was an Italian woman he rescued from slavery. She’s smart, she’s sharp, and she basically runs his household. But here’s the kicker: she refuses to marry him. She wants to remain her own person, even though she is the "unofficial" Lady of Bebbanburg.
But wait, it gets weirder.
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Uhtred is eventually forced into a political marriage by the King. He has to marry a girl named Eldrida. He describes her as looking like an "indignant piglet." He’s old enough to be her grandfather, and he has zero romantic interest in her.
Basically, he lives in Bebbanburg with his partner Benedetta, while his "official" wife Eldrida lives in a private chapel he built for her so she can pray in peace. It's a bizarre, functional arrangement that perfectly fits Uhtred's complicated life.
Why Gisela Still Matters Most
Even at the very end of his life, Uhtred still talks about Gisela.
Most fans agree she was his true soulmate. In the books, he mentions her more than any other woman. She was the one who understood his Saxon and Danish halves without trying to change him.
When people ask who he "ends up with," they're often looking for a romantic victory. But Uhtred’s story is a tragedy of survival. He outlives almost everyone. In both the books and the show, the person he truly "ends up with" is Finan.
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Finan is the only one who stays from beginning to end. Their brotherhood is the most consistent "relationship" in the entire franchise. In the final book, they even talk about where they want to be buried so they can stay near each other.
Quick Breakdown of Uhtred's Major Partners
| Partner | Status (End of Series/Books) |
|---|---|
| Mildrith | Divorced/Joined a Nunnery |
| Iseult | Killed in Battle (S1) |
| Gisela | Died in Childbirth |
| Aethelflaed | Died of Illness |
| Eadith | Died of Plague (Books only) |
| Benedetta | Lifelong partner at the end (Books only) |
What You Should Do Now
If you're feeling a bit empty after finishing the show, the best move is to pick up the books. Specifically, start with The Last Kingdom and work your way to War Lord. You’ll get a much deeper look at his relationship with Eadith and how he eventually meets Benedetta.
Also, if you're ever in the UK, go visit Bamburgh Castle. It's the real Bebbanburg. Seeing those stone walls in person makes the whole "Destiny is All" thing feel a lot more real.
Uhtred’s ending isn't about a girl. It's about the fact that he survived long enough to see the world change, even if he had to bury everyone he loved along the way.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Read War Lord by Bernard Cornwell for the definitive Uhtred ending.
- Compare the "Valhalla Scene" in the movie to the final chapters of the book to see how the tone differs.
- Explore the real history of Aethelstan to see how much of Uhtred's final "victory" was actually based on historical fact.