Aethelred Unraed - Revision history

Simoncursitor at 19:19, 22 September 2008

2008-09-22T19:19:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:19, 23 September 2008
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	The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].		The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].

	It was the same year (1002)Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed in the St.Brice's Day Massacre. However this outrage did not affect the fighting forces of the Isle of Wight and in the Danelaw, except to enrage them, especially after the murder of Gunnhild, the sister of Sweyn Forkbeard, the Danish King. It is possible that the intended victims were Danish mercenaries (referred to by Palgrave as "stipendiary bravos")but popular hatred of the Danes allowed it to degenerate into a mass pogrom.		It was the same year (1002) Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed in the St.Brice's Day Massacre. However this outrage did not affect the fighting forces of the Isle of Wight and in the Danelaw, except to enrage them, especially after the murder of Gunnhild, the sister of Sweyn Forkbeard, the Danish King. It is possible that the intended victims were Danish mercenaries (referred to by Palgrave as "stipendiary bravos")but popular hatred of the Danes allowed it to degenerate into a mass pogrom.
	In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned.		In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned.
	Ethelred raised a huge fleet at Sandwich, but Brihthelm, brother of [[Eadric Streona]] accused his nephew, Wulfnoth Cild of Sussex of treachery. Wulfnoth made off with a third of the fleet, followed by his vengeful uncle, who ran into a storm. The local ships of Wulfnoth returned and burned the wrecked fleet, before deserting to the Danes in East Anglia.		Ethelred raised a huge fleet at Sandwich, but Brihthelm, brother of [[Eadric Streona]] accused his nephew, Wulfnoth Cild of Sussex of treachery. Wulfnoth made off with a third of the fleet, followed by his vengeful uncle, who ran into a storm. The local ships of Wulfnoth returned and burned the wrecked fleet, before deserting to the Danes in East Anglia.

Streona at 20:37, 29 November 2007

2007-11-29T20:37:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:37, 30 November 2007
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	'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back). Ethelred witnessed this and cried inconsolably until his mother, ~~Aethelthryth~~, beat him with candles, after which he could never bear the sight of candles in his presence. What he did when it got dark is attested by chroniclers who said that he slept a lot and in the remarkable number of children he fathered.		'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back). Ethelred witnessed this and cried inconsolably until his mother, Aelfthryth, beat him with candles, after which he could never bear the sight of candles in his presence. What he did when it got dark is attested by chroniclers who said that he slept a lot and in the remarkable number of children he fathered.
	Much of his later actions can be viewed in the context of borderline personality disorder as a result of traumatic childhood experience.		Much of his later actions can be viewed in the context of borderline personality disorder as a result of traumatic childhood experience.
	Coming to the throne aged 10, he was dominated by the party opposed to the Benedictine faction of Dunstan, [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]-who had backed Edward and was literally cursed by the circumstances in which he came to the throne. Even before this Dunstan is said to have cursed him when he allegedly defecated in the font whilst being christened. On crowning him,[[Dunstan]] gave a speech slagging him off. England was also afflicted by a number of poor harvests, which the Church unhelpfully attributed to the death of his brother, who became known as Edward the Martyr and reburied at a purpose-built shrine. Only on the deaths of these original counsellors and his coming of age could Ethelred begin to choose his own goevernment and make his own decisions- which he seems to have done consistently badly over a period of 37 years.		Coming to the throne aged 10, he was dominated by the party opposed to the Benedictine faction of Dunstan, [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]-who had backed Edward and was literally cursed by the circumstances in which he came to the throne. Even before this Dunstan is said to have cursed him when he allegedly defecated in the font whilst being christened. On crowning him,[[Dunstan]] gave a speech slagging him off. England was also afflicted by a number of poor harvests, which the Church unhelpfully attributed to the death of his brother, who became known as Edward the Martyr and reburied at a purpose-built shrine. Only on the deaths of these original counsellors and his coming of age could Ethelred begin to choose his own goevernment and make his own decisions- which he seems to have done consistently badly over a period of 37 years.

Streona at 20:36, 29 November 2007

2007-11-29T20:36:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:36, 30 November 2007
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	'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back). Ethelred witnessed this and cried inconsolably until his mother, Aethelthryth, beat him with candles, after which he could never bear the sight of candles in his presence. What he did when it got dark is attested by chroniclers who said that he slept a lot and in the remarkable number of children he fathered.		'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back). Ethelred witnessed this and cried inconsolably until his mother, Aethelthryth, beat him with candles, after which he could never bear the sight of candles in his presence. What he did when it got dark is attested by chroniclers who said that he slept a lot and in the remarkable number of children he fathered.
	Much of his later actions can be viewed in the context of borderline personality disorder as a result of traumatic childhood experience.		Much of his later actions can be viewed in the context of borderline personality disorder as a result of traumatic childhood experience.
			Coming to the throne aged 10, he was dominated by the party opposed to the Benedictine faction of Dunstan, [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]-who had backed Edward and was literally cursed by the circumstances in which he came to the throne. Even before this Dunstan is said to have cursed him when he allegedly defecated in the font whilst being christened. On crowning him,[[Dunstan]] gave a speech slagging him off. England was also afflicted by a number of poor harvests, which the Church unhelpfully attributed to the death of his brother, who became known as Edward the Martyr and reburied at a purpose-built shrine. Only on the deaths of these original counsellors and his coming of age could Ethelred begin to choose his own goevernment and make his own decisions- which he seems to have done consistently badly over a period of 37 years.
	Coming to the throne aged 10, he was dominated by the party opposed to the Benedictine faction of Dunstan, [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]
	and was literally cursed by the circumstances in which he came to the throne. Even before this Dunstan is said to have cursed him when he allegedly defecated in the font whilst being christened. On crowning him, Dunstan gave a speech slagging him off.


	In about 985 Aethelred [[marriage\|married]] Aelfgifu of Mercia and they had eight children, one of whom, Edmund, was later to be [[king]] ([[Edmund Ironside]]).		In about 985 Aethelred [[marriage\|married]] Aelfgifu of Mercia and they had eight children, one of whom, Edmund, was later to be [[king]] ([[Edmund Ironside]]).

	Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] and East Anglian coast from 997AD on		Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] and East Anglian coast from 997AD on. These were possibly as a result of King Harald Bluetooth's attempts to impose Christianity on his often unwilling subjects.

	The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. The legacy of his father, King Edgar's reign under the stewardship of [[St.Dunstan]], gave him substantial resources squandered on paying off his enemies, rather than rewarding supporters or building armed forces. Unfortunately even when he did, he could not rely on the loyalty of his commanders (such as Wulfnoth Cild or Aethelric of Mercia). He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).		The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. The legacy of his father, King Edgar's reign under the stewardship of [[St.Dunstan]], gave him substantial resources squandered on paying off his enemies, rather than rewarding supporters or building armed forces. Unfortunately even when he did, he could not rely on the loyalty of his commanders (such as Wulfnoth Cild or Aethelric of Mercia). He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).
	Eadric was useful to Ethelred in arranging the assassinations various potential dissidents such as Aelfhelm of York and Morcar and Siferth and allegedly his son and rival, Edmund Ironsides. He also took the vital position of Ealdorman of Mercia, which had been left vacant after the treason of Aethelric (which Ethelred punished by seizing his son, ~~Aelggar~~, and burning his eyes out with white-hot pokers.		Eadric was useful to Ethelred in arranging the assassinations various potential dissidents such as Aelfhelm of York and Morcar and Siferth and allegedly his son and rival, Edmund Ironsides. He also took the vital position of Ealdorman of Mercia, which had been left vacant after the treason of Aethelric (which Ethelred punished by seizing his son, Aelfgar, and burning his eyes out with white-hot pokers. Eadric succeeded in defeating the Welsh during nhis incumbency.

	The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].		The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].
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	In 1012 they [[martyr]]ed St Alfheah[[Archbishop of Canterbury]] at Greenwich, outside [[London]]. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the [[throne]], and died in 1016, being [[becoming king\|succeeded]] by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].		In 1012 they [[martyr]]ed St Alfheah[[Archbishop of Canterbury]] at Greenwich, outside [[London]]. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the [[throne]], and died in 1016, being [[becoming king\|succeeded]] by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].

			His 37-year [[reign]] was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury. The English economy and the coinage were well handled during this period and the financial and administrative ability to raise such large amounts of Danegeld was a testimony to this. However this was in the greatest part due to the legacy Ethelred had inherited which showed its resilience in surviving Ethelred's misrule as wellm as it did. In addition to his much publicised faults- probably attributable to Borderline Personality Disorder- he was extremely cruel and haunted by a misplaced religious piety formed from guilt over the death of his brother. Most of his surviving children lived to be murdered by Cnut and Harald Harefoot. His reign -and its legacy- was arguably the most disasrous in English History.
	His 37-year [[reign]] was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury.

	'''Disclaimer:''' Parts of the above have been inspired by a re-reading of Cyril Hart's ''Between Severn (Saefren) and Wye (Waege) in the Year 1000''.		'''Disclaimer:''' Parts of the above have been inspired by a re-reading of Cyril Hart's ''Between Severn (Saefren) and Wye (Waege) in the Year 1000''.

Streona at 20:17, 29 November 2007

2007-11-29T20:17:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:17, 30 November 2007
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	'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back).		'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back). Ethelred witnessed this and cried inconsolably until his mother, Aethelthryth, beat him with candles, after which he could never bear the sight of candles in his presence. What he did when it got dark is attested by chroniclers who said that he slept a lot and in the remarkable number of children he fathered.
			Much of his later actions can be viewed in the context of borderline personality disorder as a result of traumatic childhood experience.
			Coming to the throne aged 10, he was dominated by the party opposed to the Benedictine faction of Dunstan, [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]
			and was literally cursed by the circumstances in which he came to the throne. Even before this Dunstan is said to have cursed him when he allegedly defecated in the font whilst being christened. On crowning him, Dunstan gave a speech slagging him off.

⚫	In about 985 Aethelred [[marriage\|married]] Aelfgifu of Mercia ~~(who may have been the energetic young woman who had previously bed-shared with [[Edwy]] All-fair and her mother, at his (Edwy's) [[coronation]])~~ and they had eight children, one of whom, Edmund, was later to be [[king]] ([[Edmund Ironside]]).

		⚫	In about 985 Aethelred [[marriage\|married]] Aelfgifu of Mercia and they had eight children, one of whom, Edmund, was later to be [[king]] ([[Edmund Ironside]]).
⚫	~~Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] coast from 997AD on.~~ The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. ~~Regrettably~~ he ~~lacked~~ ~~for~~ ~~both~~ ~~ready~~ ~~[[money\|cash]]~~ ~~and~~ an ~~efficient~~ [[~~army~~]]. He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).

			Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] and East Anglian coast from 997AD on
⚫	The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].
		⚫	The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. The legacy of his father, King Edgar's reign under the stewardship of [[St.Dunstan]], gave him substantial resources squandered on paying off his enemies, rather than rewarding supporters or building armed forces. Unfortunately even when he did, he could not rely on the loyalty of his commanders (such as Wulfnoth Cild or Aethelric of Mercia). He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).
			Eadric was useful to Ethelred in arranging the assassinations various potential dissidents such as Aelfhelm of York and Morcar and Siferth and allegedly his son and rival, Edmund Ironsides. He also took the vital position of Ealdorman of Mercia, which had been left vacant after the treason of Aethelric (which Ethelred punished by seizing his son, Aelggar, and burning his eyes out with white-hot pokers.

		⚫	The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].
	It was the same year that Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed.

			It was the same year (1002)Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed in the St.Brice's Day Massacre. However this outrage did not affect the fighting forces of the Isle of Wight and in the Danelaw, except to enrage them, especially after the murder of Gunnhild, the sister of Sweyn Forkbeard, the Danish King. It is possible that the intended victims were Danish mercenaries (referred to by Palgrave as "stipendiary bravos")but popular hatred of the Danes allowed it to degenerate into a mass pogrom.
⚫	~~In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned.~~ In 1012 they [[martyr]]ed ~~the~~ [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] at Greenwich, outside [[London]]. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the [[throne]], and died in 1016, being [[becoming king\|succeeded]] by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].
			In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned.
			Ethelred raised a huge fleet at Sandwich, but Brihthelm, brother of [[Eadric Streona]] accused his nephew, Wulfnoth Cild of Sussex of treachery. Wulfnoth made off with a third of the fleet, followed by his vengeful uncle, who ran into a storm. The local ships of Wulfnoth returned and burned the wrecked fleet, before deserting to the Danes in East Anglia.
		⚫	In 1012 they [[martyr]]ed St Alfheah[[Archbishop of Canterbury]] at Greenwich, outside [[London]]. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the [[throne]], and died in 1016, being [[becoming king\|succeeded]] by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].

	His 37-year [[reign]] was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury.		His 37-year [[reign]] was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury.

User 144 at 06:43, 24 October 2006

2006-10-24T06:43:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 24 October 2006
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	[[Category:Monarchs (medieval)]]		[[Category:Monarchs (medieval)]][[category:people (medieval)]][[category:10th century]][[category:11th century]]

Simoncursitor: Link

2006-10-16T12:20:43Z

Link

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 16 October 2006
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	Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] coast from 997AD on. The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. Regrettably he lacked for both ready [[money\|cash]] and an efficient [[army]]. He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).		Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] coast from 997AD on. The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. Regrettably he lacked for both ready [[money\|cash]] and an efficient [[army]]. He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).

	The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister Emma, the Pearl of Normandy. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].		The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister [[Emma of Normandy\|Emma]], the Pearl of [[Normandy]]. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].

	It was the same year that Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed.		It was the same year that Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed.

Cian: links, minor formatting, fix table

2006-08-23T23:44:33Z

links, minor formatting, fix table

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:44, 24 August 2006
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		⚫	'''Aethelred II''' was [[birth\|born]] about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His [[name]] meant "Well-Counselled". He was [[crown]]ed in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe [[Castle]] (he accepted a [[drink]] of [[mead]] from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back).
⚫	'''Disclaimer:''' Parts of the ~~following~~ have been inspired by a re-reading of Cyril Hart's ''Between Severn (Saefren) and Wye (Waege) in the Year 1000''.

		⚫	In about 985 Aethelred [[marriage\|married]] Aelfgifu of Mercia (who may have been the energetic young woman who had previously bed-shared with [[Edwy]] All-fair and her mother, at his (Edwy's) [[coronation]]) and they had eight children, one of whom, Edmund, was later to be [[king]] ([[Edmund Ironside]]).
⚫	Aethelred II was born about 968AD, son of [[King Edgar]] the Peaceful and his second wife Aelfthryth (otherwise Elfrida). His name meant "Well-Counselled". He was ~~crowned~~ in 979, at about the age of 10, after his elder brother [[Edward the Martyr]] had an accident at Corfe Castle (he accepted a drink of mead from his step-mother, and one of her men stabbed him, in the back).

		⚫	Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by [[Viking]] invasions, who systematically plundered the [[Wessex]] coast from 997AD on. The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. Regrettably he lacked for both ready [[money\|cash]] and an efficient [[army]]. He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later [[byname]] of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).
⚫	In about 985 Aethelred married Aelfgifu of Mercia (who may have been the energetic young woman who had previously bed-shared with [[Edwy]] All-fair and her mother, at his (Edwy's) coronation) and they had eight children, one of whom, Edmund, was later to be king ([[Edmund Ironside]]).~~<br>~~
⚫	Unfortunately Athelred was also plagued by Viking invasions, who systematically plundered the Wessex coast from 997AD on. The King could either "pay or play" -- he could either bribe them to go away or he could fight them. Regrettably he lacked for both ready cash and an efficient army. He also lacked for counsellors with, frankly, spine, to advocate one course or the other through thick and thin. Thus he gained his later byname of Unraed -- the Uncounselled, or the Ill-Counselled (perhaps also became of his selection of [[Eadric Streona]] as a son-in-law and chief counsellor -- a man later to be demonised as a multiple traitor).

	The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his ~~Cumbrland~~ under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the ~~dane-geld~~ ~~taxes~~. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the Duke of Normandy by marrying the duke's sister Emma, the Pearl of Normandy. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].~~<br>~~		The Millenium seems to have spurred him into action -- he found an army and a fleet, and went to war against Malcolm, his [[Cumberland]] under-king, who had been remiss in contributing to the [[danegeld]] [[tax]]es. Two years later he sorted out a dispute with the [[Duke]] of [[Normandy]] by marrying the duke's sister Emma, the Pearl of Normandy. Their first son, born within the year, was to be [[Edward the Confessor]].
⚫	It was the same year that ~~Aethlred~~ decided to solve the Viking problem by having all Danes living in England killed.

		⚫	It was the same year that Aethelred decided to solve the Viking problem by having all [[Denmark\|Danes]] living in [[England]] killed.
⚫	In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they ~~martyred~~ the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].~~<br>~~

⚫	His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury.
		⚫	In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they [[martyr]]ed the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] at Greenwich, outside [[London]]. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the [[throne]], and died in 1016, being [[becoming king\|succeeded]] by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].

		⚫	His 37-year [[reign]] was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury.

		⚫	'''Disclaimer:''' Parts of the above have been inspired by a re-reading of Cyril Hart's ''Between Severn (Saefren) and Wye (Waege) in the Year 1000''.

	<center>		<center>
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	<td width = 30% align = center>		<td width = 30% align = center>
	~~Preceded~~ by:<br>[[Edward the Martyr]]		Preceeded by:<br>[[Edward the Martyr]]
			</td>
	<td width = 40% align = center>		<td width = 40% align = center>
	[[English Monarchs]]		[[English Monarchs]]
			</td>
	<td width = 30% align = center>		<td width = 30% align = center>
	Succeeded by:<br>[[Edmund Ironside]]		Succeeded by:<br>[[Edmund Ironside]]
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			</tr>
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160.9.41.117 at 11:43, 23 August 2006

2006-08-23T11:43:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:43, 23 August 2006
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	In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they martyred the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].<br>		In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they martyred the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].<br>
	His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury~~, for two~~.		His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury.

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160.9.41.117: removed reference to the introduction of the Shires and Reeves - these had existed since the 7th century

2006-08-23T11:42:38Z

removed reference to the introduction of the Shires and Reeves - these had existed since the 7th century

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 23 August 2006
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	In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they martyred the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].<br>		In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they martyred the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].<br>
	His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features: ~~the organisation of shires and [[sheriff]]s, and~~ the introduction of the 12-man jury, for two.		His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features including the introduction of the 12-man jury, for two.

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Conrad Leviston: Category:Monarchs (medieval)

2005-02-01T13:19:01Z

Category:Monarchs (medieval)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:19, 1 February 2005
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	In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they martyred the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].<br>		In 1006 the Vikings returned; the next year Aethelred bought them off; in 1009 they returned. In 1012 they martyred the Archbishop of Canterbury at Greenwich, outside London. In 1013 they invaded in force and Aethelred fled for his life to his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, leaving England to Sweyn Haraldsson ('Forkbeard'). He died in 1014 and Aethelred returned, to reclaim the throne, and died in 1016, being succeeded by his son [[Edmund Ironside\|Edmund]].<br>
	His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features: the organisation of shires and [[sheriff]]s, and the introduction of the 12-man jury, for two.		His 37-year reign was, in fact, one of the longest in English history, and introduced several long-standing features: the organisation of shires and [[sheriff]]s, and the introduction of the 12-man jury, for two.




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			[[Category:Monarchs (medieval)]]