Edmund II of England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edmund "Ironside" |
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| King of England | |
Fictional 18th century portrait
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| Reign | 23 April 1016 – 30 November 1016 |
| Predecessor | Ethelred the Unready |
| Successor | Canute the Great |
| Born | 989 Wessex, England |
| Died | 30 November 1016 (age 27) Glastonbury, England |
| Burial | Glastonbury Abbey |
| Spouse | Ealdgyth |
| Issue | Edward the Exile Edmund |
| Father | Ethelred the Unready |
| Mother | Ælfgifu of York |
Edmund Ironside or Edmund II (Old English: Eadmund II Isen-Healf; c. 989 – 30 November 1016) was a brave English king. He was the son of King Æthelred the Unready. Edmund became king of England on April 23, 1016. He ruled for a short time, until November 30, 1016. He was known for his strong will and fighting spirit.
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Who Was Edmund Ironside?
Edmund Ironside was an important figure in early English history. He lived during a time when England was often attacked. These attacks came from Viking invaders, especially the Danes. Edmund was known for his courage in battle. He fought hard to protect his kingdom.
Early Life and Family
Edmund was born around the year 989. His father was King Æthelred the Unready. His mother was Ælfgifu of York. Edmund grew up in Wessex, a powerful part of England. He had several brothers. As a young man, he became a strong warrior. He often led armies against the Viking invaders.
Becoming King
England was facing many challenges in 1016. The Danish prince, Cnut the Great, was trying to conquer England. King Æthelred the Unready died on April 23, 1016. This left England without a clear leader. The citizens of London chose Edmund to be their new king. He was crowned in London. However, some parts of England chose Cnut as their king. This led to a big conflict.
The Fight for England
Edmund Ironside quickly proved his nickname. He fought five major battles against Cnut's forces. He tried to rescue London from a Danish siege. He also fought battles in Wessex and Kent. Edmund showed great bravery and skill as a military leader. He was able to push back the Danish invaders many times. His determination earned him the respect of his soldiers.
The Treaty of Olney
The war between Edmund and Cnut was very fierce. Neither side could completely defeat the other. In October 1016, they fought a big battle at Assandun. After this battle, the two leaders decided to make peace. They met on an island in the River Severn called Olney. They agreed to divide England between them. Edmund would rule Wessex. Cnut would rule the rest of England. They also agreed that if one king died, the other would take over the whole kingdom.
His Nickname: Ironside
Edmund earned the nickname "Ironside" because of his strength. He was known for his bravery in battle. He fought with great determination against the Danish invaders. People saw him as a strong and unyielding leader. This nickname showed how much people admired his courage.
Death and Legacy
Edmund Ironside died very soon after the treaty. He passed away on November 30, 1016. He was only about 27 years old. His death meant that Cnut became the sole king of England. Edmund was buried at Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset. Even though his reign was short, Edmund is remembered as a brave king. He fought hard to defend his country.
| Preceded by Æthelred the Unready |
King of the English 1016 |
Succeeded by Cnut the Great |
Images for kids
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The ruins of Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, where Edmund was buried
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Fictional depiction from the 18th century
