Æthelred facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Æthelred

circa 870
Pronunciation	[ˈæːðelræːd]
Gender	Unisex (mostly masculine)
Language(s)	Old Latin, Old German, Old English, Danish
Origin
Language(s)	Anglo-Saxon
Word/name	Conquest
Meaning	"noble counsel"
Region of origin	Celtic and Saxon
Other names
Related names	Ethelred, Aethelred, Aelred

Æthelred (pronounced like ATH-el-red) or Ethelred is an old English name. It comes from two Old English words: æþele (meaning "noble") and ræd (meaning "counsel" or "advice"). So, the name means "noble counsel" or "well-advised."

This name was very common in Anglo-Saxon England. Many important people, especially kings and leaders, had this name.

Famous People Named Æthelred

Anglo-Saxon England

• Æthelred and Æthelberht (7th century): These were legendary princes from the ancient kingdom of Kent. Stories say they were killed, and their deaths led to the founding of Minster-in-Thanet Abbey.

• Æthelred of Mercia (ruled 675–704): He was a powerful King of Mercia, an important kingdom in central England. He was known for his military victories and for becoming a monk later in life.

• Æthelred Mucel (lived around 840–895): He was a nobleman from Mercia. He is famous for being the father of Ealhswith, who married Alfred the Great, one of England's most famous kings.

• Æthelred (archbishop) (died 888): He served as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most important religious leader in England at the time. He worked closely with King Alfred the Great.

• Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians (ruled 881–911): He was a powerful ruler of Mercia after it was partly taken over by the Vikings. He worked with King Alfred the Great to fight the Vikings and rebuild the kingdom. He was married to Alfred's daughter, Æthelflæd.

• Æthelred the Unready (ruled 978–1016): He was a King of England. His nickname "the Unready" doesn't mean he was unprepared. It comes from an Old English word, unræd, meaning "ill-advised" or "poorly counselled." During his reign, England faced many attacks from Vikings.

After the Norman Conquest

• Ethelred of Scotland (died around 1093): He was a son of Malcolm III of Scotland and Saint Margaret of Scotland. He was a Scottish prince.

• Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167): He was an English writer and a saint. He became the abbot (leader) of Rievaulx Abbey, a famous monastery. He wrote many important religious texts.

See also

• Ethelreda (given name)

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