, Ethelred ‘the Unready’, King of England

Birth Name Ethelred ‘the Unready’, King of England
Gender male
Age at Death 49 years

Narrative

Ethelred was the son of King Edgar and began to reign when only 11 years old. He was a weakling, totally unable to withstand the Danish onslaught that re-started on his accession. He continually attempted to buy off the Danes - Danegeld - as when he lost the Battle of Maldon in 991. In a state of near panic he ordered the slaughter of all Danes whether peaceful settlers or not and this foul deed was put in hand on St. Brices Day 13 Nov 1002. Among the victims was the sister of Sweyn, King of Denmark. The Norsemen were furious and ravaged the country from Cornwall to Kent and from South Wales to East Anglia. By 1013, Sweyn, who was accompanied by his son Canute, was proclaimed King but he died soon afterwards. Ethelred fled to Normandy when Sweyn's rule prevailed and then on Sweyn's death he returned but the English lords placed severe restrictions on him. The Danes led by Canute returned in 1015 and landing at Poole they crossed the Thames at Cricklade.

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Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 967      
Death 1016      

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father , Edgar ‘the Peaceful’, King of England944975
Mother , Ælfthrythabout 945about 1002-11-17
         , Ethelred ‘the Unready’, King of England 967 1016

Families

Family of , Ethelred ‘the Unready’, King of England and , Ælgifu

Married Wife , Ælgifu ( * about 963 + 1002-02-00 )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Marriage between 980 and 985      
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
, Ælfgifubetween 991 and 1002

Family of , Ethelred ‘the Unready’, King of England and of Normandy, Emma

Married Wife of Normandy, Emma ( * + 1052 )
  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
, Edmund II ‘Ironside’, King of England1016