Ethelred the Unready

Athelred II
King of the English (more...)
First Reign	18 March 978 — 23 July 1013
Coronation	29 March 978
Predecessor	Edward the Martyr
Successor	Sweyn I
Second Reign	3 February 1014 — 23 April 1016
Predecessor	Sweyn I
Successor	Edmund II
Regent	Ælfthryth (978–984)
Born	(968-03-13)13 March 968 Winchester, Hampshire
Died	23 April 1016(1016-04-23) (aged 48) London
Burial	Old Saint Paul's Cathedral
Spouse	Ælfgifu of York (m. 986; died 1002) Emma of Normandy ​ (m. 1002)​
Issue	Athelstan Aetheling Edmund II, King of the English Ecgberht Ætheling Edred Aetheling Eadgyth Ælfgifu Eadwig Aetheling Edgar Aetheling the Elder Edward the Confessor Alfred Aetheling Goda
House	Wessex
Father	Edgar
Mother	Ælfthryth
Religion	Roman 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.

Other websites

• Family tree of Ethelred the Unready Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
• Documentary - The Making of England: Aethelred the Unready Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
• Early British Kingdoms
• Britannia : Monarchs

Preceded by Edward the Martyr	King of England 978–1013	Succeeded by Sweyn
Preceded by Sweyn	King of England 1014–1016	Succeeded by Edmund II