Ethelred the Unready facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ethelred the Unready
King of England
Reign	18 March, 978 – 23 April 1016
Predecessor	Edward the Martyr (978) Sweyn (1014)
Successor	Sweyn (1013) Edmund Ironside (1016)
Born	966-68 Wessex
Died	(1016-04-23)23 April 1016 London
Burial	Old Saint Paul's Cathedral
Spouse	Ælfgifu Emma
Issue	Aethelstan Aetheling Edmund Ironside Ecgberht Ætheling Edred Aetheling Eadgyth Ælfgifu Eadwig Aetheling Eadgar Aetheling the Elder Edward the Confessor Alfred Aetheling Goda
Father	Edgar
Mother	Ælfthryth

Ethelred II, also known as Ethelred the Unready, was a King of England. He was born around 968 and died on April 23, 1016. Ethelred ruled England two times. His first reign was from 978 to 1013. He then ruled again from 1014 to 1016.

Ethelred was the son of King Edgar and Aelfthryth. During most of his time as king, he had to fight against Viking invaders. The name Unready does not mean he was not prepared. It means he was "badly advised". This is because he often received poor advice from his advisors.

Becoming King of England

Ethelred became king after his older half-brother, Edward the Martyr, was killed in 978. Ethelred was only about 10 years old at the time. His mother, Aelfthryth, was thought to be involved in Edward's death. This made Ethelred's start as king very difficult.

Challenges from Vikings

During Ethelred's reign, England faced many attacks from Vikings. These were often led by Sweyn Forkbeard, the King of Denmark. The Vikings would raid English towns and demand money. This money was called danegeld.

Paying the Danegeld

Ethelred often chose to pay the Vikings large sums of money to make them leave. This was meant to stop the attacks. However, it often encouraged more raids. The payments became very expensive for England.

St. Brice's Day Massacre

In 1002, Ethelred ordered the killing of all Danes living in England. This event is known as the St. Brice's Day Massacre. It was a very harsh decision. This act made the Viking attacks even worse. Sweyn Forkbeard, whose sister was killed in the massacre, launched a huge invasion.

Losing and Regaining the Throne

In 1013, Sweyn Forkbeard successfully invaded England. He forced Ethelred to flee to Normandy in France. Sweyn became King of England. However, Sweyn died suddenly in 1014.

After Sweyn's death, the English nobles asked Ethelred to return. He came back and ruled again until his own death in 1016.

Ethelred's Family and Legacy

Ethelred had many children. His most famous sons were Edmund Ironside and Edward the Confessor. Edmund Ironside briefly became king after Ethelred. Edward the Confessor later became one of England's most important kings.

Ethelred's reign was a very difficult time for England. He struggled to deal with the Viking threat. His nickname, "the Unready," shows how people viewed his rule. He is remembered as a king who faced many challenges.

Images for kids

• 

  Gold mancus of Æthelred wearing armour, 1003–1006

• 

  Silver penny of Æthelred II

• 

  A charter of Æthelred's in 1003 to his follower, Æthelred. British Library, London

See also

In Spanish: Etelredo II el Indeciso para niños