Ethelred the Unready

MedievalEmperorEngland968 — 1016

English king plagued by Viking invasions and poor counsel.

Compare:vs Napoleon vs Julius Caesar

Quick Facts

Born

968

Died

1016

Country

England

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)30

Political (20%)42

Influence (20%)67

Legacy (20%)56

Leadership (15%)41

Strategy (15%)32

Total Score47.0

Ethelred the Unready — Complete Timeline

991 AD

Battle of MaldonWar◆ Major

Ethelred's forces were defeated by a Viking army at Maldon in Essex. The defeat led to Ethelred paying the first Danegeld, a tribute of 10,000 pounds of silver, to the Vikings to secure peace.

Viking InvasionDanegeldDefeat

Impact: nationaldestructive

1002 AD

St. Brice's Day MassacrePolitical Action◆ Major

Ethelred ordered the massacre of all Danish settlers in England on November 13. This act provoked King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark to launch a full-scale invasion of England, escalating the Viking conflict.

MassacreViking InvasionRetaliation

Impact: nationaldestructive

1013 AD

Sweyn Forkbeard's InvasionWar◆ Major

King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark invaded England and conquered the country. Ethelred fled to Normandy in exile, leaving Sweyn as king of England until his death in 1014.

InvasionExileViking Conquest

Impact: nationaldestructive

1014 AD

Return from ExilePolitical Action◆ Major

After Sweyn Forkbeard's death, Ethelred returned from Normandy and was restored as king of England. He agreed to rule under a new compact with his subjects, promising better governance.

RestorationPolitical CompactReturn

Impact: nationalconstructive

1016 AD

Siege of LondonWar◆ Major

Cnut the Great besieged London while Ethelred was in the city. Ethelred died during the siege on April 23, 1016, leaving his son Edmund Ironside to continue the fight against Cnut.

SiegeDeathViking Invasion

Impact: nationaltragic