#tlk aldhelm

[lord-aldhelm]

Aldhelm, Aethelstan, Sihtric | The Last Kingdom 5.10

[vikingagesource]

Sigtryggr | The Last Kingdom 5.02

[rebeccawangart]

King Aldhelm of Mercia (2025)

'Radiant Beauty in Green and Gold'

Acrylic painting on 24" x 36" (61x91 cm) stretched canvas, completed March 26, 2025.

Lord Aldhelm as the King of Mercia, what both he and the people of Mercia deserved. This is an idea that has been in my head for over 3 years now, and I finally had the time and courage to undertake it. I have lost count of how many hours I spent on it, but I started it late last year and worked on it in between pet portrait commissions.

More information and details below the cut.

Closeup views of the painting, showing off the details.

The golden halo behind his head was painted with metallic gold and bronze acrylics, and it shimmers and glows in direct light.

The crown is loosely based off of the Essen Crown, worn by the Saxon Germanic kings in the early 10th and 11th century. It was also inspired by King Alfred's crown in The Last Kingdom. According to Bernard Cornwell in the appendix of 'Death of Kings', King Alfred wore a golden crown inset with emeralds, but in truth I chose a golden crown with emeralds because green and gold are Aldhelm's colors. While there is no evidence that he would have worn a crown, I thought it would add to his regality in the portrait. Please note that gemstones of that time were cut into a cabochon shape (oval or circular with a flat back). Stones were not cut with facets until the 15th century.

The knotwork along the borders of the sleeves and down the center of the tunic were painted with details to suggest they are embroidered with golden threads, a technique called 'goldwork'. While this design is commonly referred to as a Celtic Knot, the proper term is 'interlace' and it is Germanic in origin. A good example can be seen on the Sutton Hoo belt buckle design. The Celts later adopted these interlace patterns from the Germanic peoples who invaded the British Isles in the 5th century; before that, Celtic Artwork consisted mostly of spirals and triskelions.

The sword was inspired by the Fetter Lane sword, an 8th century Anglo-Saxon sword. I modified the pommel to be thicker and have an emerald cabochon inlaid into it, along with an interlace pattern along the center. The blade is made of Damascus steel, with the beautiful wavy patterns characteristic of this type of metalwork.

The green and gold colors were chosen specifically based off of Aldhelm's 3rd season Mercian court outfit. I feel that green and gold are his colors, and suit him very well. The green of the background is a pale sage green that matches the color of his eyes. The gold color complements the golden hair in his beard. The cloak is made of wool, and painted phthalocyanine green to match the color of his cloak in the series. The tunic is a slightly less saturated version of that color, with more brown undertones. The high ornate collar is a callback to the ornate collar he wore in that season, with the leaf pattern and diamond borders similar to but not the same as in the series. It is a separate layer from the tunic, underneath of it, and does not connect to the knotwork below. And of course, his beloved brooch pins the cloak over his left shoulder.

[oldowlshollow]

been a while since i've done anything for this fandom, so here's a messy sketch to remedy that (also shoutout to @lord-aldhelm for reblogging my older doodles 💜 i appreciate you)

commission / kofi

[oddsnendsfanfics]

Lord Aldhelm : In Love

The Last Kingdom Master List

Lord Aldhelm is the sort of man who is quietly assured. Aldhelm does not need or thrive on grand gestures. He knows who he is, he knows his place in the world, and because of this the man knows his feelings: most of the time. Aldhelm spent years in Mercia being a lap dog for that bread pudding of a so called “king”. Now that he is free of that mess, he's opening himself up and what do you know? He's found himself in love.

How it Starts...

He is just getting comfortable with his new role when he spots the feisty maiden

Not wanting to over step his bounds he keeps it simple

Trying to gather a moment, but not being creepy about it, when he sees you go by

Asking for little things just to see you, could you help him find a quill or maybe some fresh ink?

Aldhelm tries to strike up conversation without being pushy or crass

He will ask personal – not too personal mind you, details in order to know you better

Sometimes he shares little antidotes about his own life in an attempt to make you feel comfortable

Wooing You, he does it well!

Aldhelm will absentmindedly write little notes

Sometimes he writes poems and leaves them under your door

If you require, he will also read them to you, all the while blushing like a nun who has saw a warrior undressing

He's shy and can't help the red creeping into his cheeks as he asks you to take a walk with him

If you are comfortable alone with him or if you would like a chaperon, then he will most certainly find one

Along with the notes and poems he enjoys finding trinkets at the market for you – shiny and impressive brooches are his thing

If it gets serious enough he will gift you his own brooch to wear so that people understand he is yours

Feelings? Oh there are plenty!

Aldhelm can't quite figure out his feelings at first

Are you a friend? Are you to be a lover? Is this something more?

He certainly knows that he wants it to last

You are constantly on his mind – even for a man who is all business, Aldhelm finds himself day dreaming

Your smile, your eyes, the little giggle when he tries to awkwardly hold your hand and peck your cheek in the village for all to see

He is smitten with every single thing about you and he knows he has to act

Aldhelm is a Lord by rights this should mean he can have any lady he wants but he wants you

Its you and nobody else for the quiet, calculating, and secretly love sick Lord

When Adlhelm finally gathers the courage to ask you, officially, to be his betrothed you are a little taken back. You hadn't realised he is so serious about this. Waiting with baited breath, you see Aldhelm look as though he's about to pass out. A coy smile and the temptation to tease him a little, you can't possibly do that to him. Agreeing, he lets out his breath and all but shouts for Father Pyrlig then and there.

[lordaldhelmofmercia]

Lord Aldhelm of Mercia

Name: Lord Aldhelm

Birthplace: Hreopandune (Repton)

Birthdate: December 29, 862

Sex: Male

Gender Identity: Male

Sexuality: Heterosexual; Demisexual

Marital Status: Unmarried (but devoted to Aethelflaed)

Religion: Christian

Nationality: Mercian

Hobbies: Writing poetry, singing, drawing, nature hikes, tutoring Aelfwynn.

Horse: A dark bay gelding named Æsce (Ash)

Sword: Oathkeeper

Bio: Lord Aldhelm was the chief advisor for Lord Aethelred, as well as the captain of the Mercian hearth guard. He had a falling out with the mercurial Lord of Mercia, and lost his rank and titles. Fortunately, the Lady Aethelflaed took him into her estate at Saltwic, where he is her trusted friend, close advisor, and ... maybe more.

Family: He is the eldest son of the ealdorman Lord Eadgar of Hreopandune (Repton). His mother was the Lady Mildburg of Elmet (Anglisc Northumbria). He had an older sister Wynnflaed (who passed away a few years ago), and has a younger brother Beorhtric, who currently is the acting Lord of Legacæstir, having married the daughter of the previous Lord of Legacæstir. Since that lord had no male heirs, Beohtric was accepted as his heir.

History: Aldhelm was born in Repton in 862. His father, Lord Eadgar, was a powerful ealdorman who served as the chief advisor for King Burgred. In 874 (when Aldhelm was 12), the Great Heathen Army invaded Mercia, decimating his father's estate and leaving his family without a home. Aldhelm, his father, and brother were living in Tamworth at the time, so their lives were spared. However, King Burgred was expelled later that same year and King Ceolwulf was installed as the puppet king of Mercia. His father, due to his loyalty and service to the previous king, was accepted as Ceolwulf's advisor. In 880 when his father passed, Aldhelm was made chief advisor to King Ceolwulf II.

Since Ceolwulf left no heirs, the witan had to select the next Lord of Mercia to lead once he passed. Aethelred was the main contender for the crown, but there were other lords that were under consideration from the witan. Aethelred made Aldhelm a deal: guarantee that Aethered was selected by the witan as the Lord of Mercia, and he would keep Aldhelm as the chief advisor, as well as promote him to captain of the guard. He also promised to grant Aldhelm an estate so he would have land and title once more.

Upon the king's passing, Aethelred fulfilled his first two promises, but reneged on the third, keeping Aldhelm a landless ealdorman and at Aethelred's mercy.

Affiliated with The Last Kingdom RP group on Tumblr.

[synintheraven]

Really important matter here but uhm me and @lord-aldhelm we're trying to prove a point here so please choose the one you think it's the prettiest 😌

(votes are anonymous okay so feel free to vote!! Just be honest ;)

mirror mirror who's the prettiest of them all?

<Left (James)

>Right (Travis)

Voting ended onFeb 9, 2024

[mirandahamilton]

lord aldhelm of mercia in seven kings must die