Ethelred II of England

Ethelred II or Æþelræd Unræd (c. 968 – April 23, 1016), known as the Unready, was a King of England (978 – 1013, and 1014 – 1016).

Death and legacy

In 1013, Ethelred fled to Normandy, seeking protection by his brother-in-law, Robert of Normandy, when England was over-run by Sweyn Haraldsson of Denmark and his forces. He returned in February, 1014, following the death of Sweyn Haraldsson. Ethelred died on April 23, 1016, in London, where he was buried. He was succeeded by his son, Edmund II of England.

Related Topics:
Normandy - Robert - Sweyn Haraldsson - 1014 - April 23 - 1016 - London - Edmund II of England

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Despite the steady stream of Viking attacks, Ethelred's reign was far from the disaster described by chroniclers writing well after the event. Ethelred introduced major reforms to the machinery of government in Anglo-Saxon England, and is responsible for the introduction of Shire Reeves or Sheriffs. The quality of the coinage, always a good indicator of the prevailing economic conditions, remained very high during his reign.

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