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Ethelred the Unready

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Athelred II
King of the English
First Reign18 March 978 — 23 July 1013
Coronation29 March 978
PredecessorEdward the Martyr
SuccessorSweyn I
Second Reign3 February 1014 — 23 April 1016
PredecessorSweyn I
SuccessorEdmund II
RegentÆlfthryth (978–984)
Born(968-03-13)13 March 968
Winchester, Hampshire
Died23 April 1016(1016-04-23) (aged 48)
London
Burial
Spouse
  • Ælfgifu of York
    (m. 986; died 1002)
(m. 1002)
Issue
HouseWessex
FatherEdgar
MotherÆlfthryth
ReligionRoman Catholicism

Athelred II (13 March 968 — 23 April 1016) nicknamed the Unready was the King of England twice. The first time was from 978 until in 1013 where a Viking king, Sweyn I of Denmark, overthrew him. The second time was from Sweyn's death in 1014 until Athelred's death in 1016. He was the son of Edgar and his second wife, Ælfthryth. He succeded his older half-brother, Edward II, in 978 when Athelred was only ten years old. During his reign, he had to fight against Viking invaders in England.

His nickname "Unready" means "Unread" which was a nickname for "Poorly Counciled" or "Poorly Advised," because he was given poor council when he solicited opinions from his advisors.

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Preceded by
Edward the Martyr
King of England
9781013
Succeeded by
Sweyn
Preceded by
Sweyn
King of England
10141016
Succeeded by
Edmund II